Civic Leadership

Civic Leadership
https://ccl.rice.edu/
208 Rice Memorial Center
713-348-2223

Danika Brown
Executive Director
danika.m.brown@rice.edu

In support of Rice’s mission of providing a distinctive undergraduate experience, the Center for Civic Leadership (CCL) helps undergraduate students develop the knowledge, skills, and values to address the problems of the 21st century and to lead in a variety of community environments. The focus on civic leadership reflects not only Rice’s mission but a broader trend that recognizes the civic purpose of 21st century institutions of higher education to cultivate social responsibility and active citizenship. The CCL’s approach to leadership education stresses the development of knowledge to understand the complex challenges facing today’s society, skills to motivate and collaborate with diverse stakeholders to take informed action, and values to effect positive change.

Students begin the program by completing a CCL Immersion Program, which introduces them to social issues in community-based contexts (through lectures, community tours, and short-term service) and develops skills in reflective practice critical to leadership development.

Additionally, students complete a minimum of 3 credit hours of social issues electives and a minimum of 3 credit hours of leadership electives chosen from a list of courses covering relevant topics. Timely, personalized advising plays an important role in the selection of the electives in order to ensure that students follow an academically coherent path to the certificate. The purpose of this element of the certificate pathway is to provide foundational knowledge directly pertinent to a student’s capstone project.

Students will apply to participate in a CCL Action Program that allows them to work in collaboration with a community partner to address a social issue and identified need through research and service. To be selected to one of these programs, students must demonstrate relevant academic preparation.

Upon completion of the above listed requirements, students may apply in the spring of their sophomore or junior year for admittance to the Certificate in Civic Leadership.

To receive the certificate, students must complete a substantial civic leadership project in partnership with a community organization under the guidance of one faculty and a CCL advisor. In the fall semester, all admitted certificate students take LEAD 402, in which they prepare for their capstone projects by learning principles of community partnership development, researching a community need or issue in context, designing a sustainable response, developing a project proposal, and reflecting on leadership challenges and solutions. Students subsequently carry out their projects independently in the spring semester under the direction of their faculty advisor and the capstone instructor (LEAD 403). To register for LEAD 403, students must have successfully completed LEAD 402 and received approval for their CCL capstone project proposal from their advisor, their community partner, and the LEAD 402 course instructor. LEAD 403 students must present their project results to the community partner through a formal presentation and written report before the conclusion of the course. Additionally, students are encouraged to present at a formal venue, such as a conference or symposium, within one year of course completion.

Consideration for receipt of the certificate requires submission of a portfolio that includes the capstone project and description of its outcomes, responses to reflective questions regarding their civic leadership development, and a public presentation to the campus and community. Upon recommendation of the capstone instructor and faculty advisor, the certificate will be awarded by vote of the faculty and center directors and recognized on the student’s official transcript upon graduation.

Certificate

Civic Leadership does not currently offer an academic program at the graduate level.

Executive Director

Danika Brown

Director, Partnerships and Operations

Jessica Khalaf

Associate Directors

Rachel Bonini
Verónica Reyna
Kelsey Ullom

Assistant Directors

Chris Burbridge
Michi Heckler
Domenique Montgomery
 

For Rice University degree-granting programs:
To view the list of official course offerings, please see Rice’s Course Catalog.
To view the most recent semester’s course schedule, please see Rice's Course Schedule.

Center for Civic Leadership (LEAD)

LEAD 102 - INTRODUCTION TO CIVIC LEADERSHIP

Short Title: INTRO TO CIVIC LEADERSHIP

Department: Center for Civic Leadership

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory

Credit Hours: 3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level

Description: LEAD 102 will increase students' understanding of civic leadership in theory and practice as related to their academic experience and future goals. Students will explore the concept of civic professionalism and identify potential integrations of civic and community engagement within their majors and academic courses to translate those concepts to be effective peer leaders. Through meetings with faculty, community and campus professionals and other peer leaders, students will gain skills and knowledge that prepares them to think about the civic components of leadership.

Course URL: ccl.rice.edu

LEAD 215 - ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK LEADERSHIP I

Short Title: ASB LEADERSHIP

Department: Center for Civic Leadership

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 2

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level

Description: LEAD 215 is required of all Alternative Spring Break student site leaders. This course consists of weekly 1.5 hour meetings that will include lectures, discussions, group activities, work sessions, and panel presentations. Instructor Permission Required. Repeatable for Credit.

LEAD 216 - ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK LEADERSHIP II

Short Title: ASB LEADERSHIP II

Department: Center for Civic Leadership

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hour: 1

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level

Description: The course aims to: 1) analyze service philosophy and mechanisms for implementing a mutually beneficial short-term service program. 2) equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to lead a group of their peers, 3) provide a platform for reflection and an opportunity for personal and professional development for student leaders. Repeatable for Credit.

LEAD 238 - SPECIAL TOPICS

Short Title: SPECIAL TOPICS

Department: Center for Civic Leadership

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Internship/Practicum, Lecture, Seminar, Independent Study, Lecture/Laboratory, Laboratory

Credit Hours: 1-4

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level

Description: Topics and credit hours vary each semester. Contact department for current semester's topic(s). Repeatable for Credit.

LEAD 250 - LEADERSHIP AND CIVIC PROFESSIONALISM

Short Title: LEADERSHIP AND CIVIC PROF

Department: Center for Civic Leadership

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Internship/Practicum

Credit Hours: 2

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level

Description: This course develops knowledge and skills to exercise civic leadership in professional settings. Students will strengthen capacities for recognizing how values, skills, and interests relate to the capacity to exercise effective leadership; for establishing meaningful relationships with mentors, co-workers, and cohort peers and for understanding the interconnectedness of civic leadership in professional contexts. Required of and limited to Leadership Rice Mentorship Experience Fellows placed in mandatory associated internship. Instructor Permission Required.

Course URL: ccl.rice.edu

LEAD 260 - ADVOCATING FOR IDEAS TO CHANGE THE WORLD

Short Title: ADVOCATING FOR CHANGE

Department: Center for Civic Leadership

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Distribution Group: Distribution Group II

Credit Hours: 3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level

Description: Advocating for change is an experiential learning course that teaches students how to engage in issue advocacy as a method of social change. Students work in teams with faculty mentors to develop and implement an advocacy plan for a particular cause or policy of interest. Cross-list: POLI 260.

LEAD 305 - INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

Short Title: INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

Department: Center for Civic Leadership

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 2

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: This course is required for participation in the CCL international fellowship. Objectives are to (1) examine the history of international service and service ethics, (2) develop broad knowledge of history, culture, and politics related to the country of service, and to (3) engage students in conversations about global society and international experiences. Instructor Permission Required. Repeatable for Credit.

LEAD 321 - LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION

Short Title: LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION

Department: Center for Civic Leadership

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: Effective and inclusive communication skills are essential for leadership. LEAD 321 equips students with skills to analyze communication contexts and messaging for intended audiences. Students will understand the ethical responsibilities of communicating as a leader and the role of listening as a communication skill essential to leadership. Students will gain practice in forms of deliberative dialogue and persuasive communication, and will engage in an experiential communication project to practice civic leadership.

LEAD 330 - LEADERSHIP IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Short Title: LEADERSHIP IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Department: Center for Civic Leadership

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hour: 1

Restrictions: Students with a class of Freshman may not enroll. Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: Higher education is a challenging environment for leaders - when transformative changes are desired, the process of leadership offers the only possibility for change that is viewed as legitimate. This course uses a case study approach to understand leadership through the lenses of strategic choice, governance, organizational change, culture and values, leader transitions, and crisis.

LEAD 333 - STEM (SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS) OUTREACH: INTRO TO CIVIC SCIENCE

Short Title: STEM OUTREACH

Department: Center for Civic Leadership

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Internship/Practicum

Credit Hours: 3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: Students meet with instructor to determine appropriate outreach lessons and activities for community members or schools. Purpose of the course is to translate science, technology, math, and engineering concepts for a public audience.

LEAD 335 - CRISIS LEADERSHIP

Short Title: CRISIS LEADERSHIP

Department: Center for Civic Leadership

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hour: 1

Restrictions: Students with a class of Freshman may not enroll. Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: It feels like we live in perpetual whitewater these days. We lurch from crisis to crisis, many of which might have been avoided. This course examines major public crises resulting from low-probability, high-consequence events. The core premise is that effective leadership improves the likelihood of avoiding or mitigating the consequences of crises, and allows us to take advantage of the opportunities that disasters create.

LEAD 340 - PHILANTHROPY IN THEORY AND PRACTICE

Short Title: PHILANTHROPY T & L

Department: Center for Civic Leadership

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: Study of the history, philosophy, and practice of philanthropy in addressing public need with an introduction to ethics and importance of financial giving and community investment. Students will spend substantial time working with local nonprofits in order to select a recipient for a grant awarded by the class.

LEAD 402 - CIVIC LEADERSHIP CAPSTONE I

Short Title: CIVIC LEADERSHIP CAPSTONE I

Department: Center for Civic Leadership

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: LEAD 402 is a requirement for the Certificate in Civic Leadership. The course prepares students to develop and implement high-level, independent, community-based projects, and enhances students' capacity to lead in diverse community settings. Students are required to develop a project proposal in collaboration with a community partner and faculty advisor. Instructor Permission Required.

LEAD 403 - CIVIC LEADERSHIP CAPSTONE II

Short Title: CIVIC LEADERSHIP CAPSTONE II

Department: Center for Civic Leadership

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 3

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Prerequisite(s): LEAD 402

Description: LEAD 403 is a requirement for the Certificate in Civic Leadership. This course requires students to implement and complete their capstone project, present their findings at a conference or symposium, and submit a final reflection paper. Instructor Permission Required.

LEAD 477 - SPECIAL TOPICS

Short Title: SPECIAL TOPICS

Department: Center for Civic Leadership

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar, Lecture, Laboratory, Internship/Practicum

Credit Hours: 1-4

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.

Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level

Description: Topics and credit hours may vary each semester. Contact department for current semester's topic(s). Repeatable for Credit.

LEAD 677 - SPECIAL TOPICS

Short Title: SPECIAL TOPICS

Department: Center for Civic Leadership

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Internship/Practicum, Laboratory, Lecture, Seminar, Independent Study

Credit Hours: 1-4

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Visiting Graduate level students.

Course Level: Graduate

Description: Topics and credit hours vary each semester. Contact department for current semester's topic(s). Repeatable for Credit.

Description and Code Legend

Note: Internally, the university uses the following descriptions, codes, and abbreviations for this academic program. The following is a quick reference: 

Course Catalog/Schedule 

  • Course offerings/subject code: LEAD

Department (or Program) Description and Code

  • Center for Civic Leadership: LEAD 

Undergraduate Certificate Description and Code

  • Certificate in Civic Leadership: CCL 

CIP Code and Description1

  • CCL Certificate: CIP Code/Title: 52.0213 - Organizational Leadership