Coursework

LDRS 1016 – Exploring Citizen Leadership

This was the second part of Exploring Citizen Leadership that we took in the Residential Leadership Community. The idea of this course was to take the book knowledge from the previous semester and implement it into a semester long project in the community. We were able to see the Social Change Model in a view that was backed by action rather than experience.

We were challenged to implement different leadership theories when working with both our team and the organization that our project worked with. We look the strengths, values, and attitudes in relation to the praxis project, assessing throughout the semester to encourage consistent self and group evaluation.

Our praxis project worked with the LoCo Arts, and after school arts program in the New River Valley. They were in dire need of funding, so we decided to put together a benefit concert. A group member of ours new an up and coming country artist that agreed to perform on Henderson Lawn and brought an opening act. This semester focused on producing media that highlighted the LoCo Arts program, but also anticipated the concert. My artifacts showcase a few pictures from the times we spent with them as well as the end of the semester reflection from the project. Unfortunately, the concert had to be cancelled due to thunderstorms in the area, but this way a big yet rewarding feat for several freshmen to take on.

This semester not only taught us how to implement different types of leadership, but it taught us how to follow too. When you put a group of people together that are often used to “taking charge” in group situation, there was disagreement. It taught us how to communicate between people of our age, but also people in the community. I distinctly remember our group being glad to interact and get to know people outside of the “Blacksburg bubble.” It taught us how to problem solve and budget. We reached out to local business to sponsor the event, including Campus Cookies. This project helped us get exposure to the Group and Society Values that are represented in the Social Change Model. Collaboration was a big factor but once we actually decided to focus on the benefit concert, we had a common purpose. We were able to interact with LoCo Arts as an organization but having a common end goal is what really united our group. Additionally, we got to share our experiences with the class. You could really see the societal and community values present in the Residential Leadership Community when hearing each of the groups share about their praxis projects and the progress they were making.