Developing leaders and change agents

Improving human learning and development across the life span and in multiple contexts demands talented leaders capable of facilitating change at individual, organizational and systemic levels. Leaders must understand the micro and macro worlds of policy and practice as well as what is required for change within and across these levels. Undergraduate students in our School are motivated change agents who span these levels, focusing on certain types of change by virtue of their specializations. For example, human development and psychological services majors seek to change the world one person at a time. Secondary education majors bring their change agenda to classrooms of individuals. Learning and organizational change majors work toward change in organizations, in both profit and non-profit sectors. Finally, our social policy undergraduates aim to lead large-scale systemic changes by implementing social and educational policies. Our School embraces the challenge of developing leaders and change agents at multiple levels to promote human development and learning and improve people’s lives.

Examples

	Northwestern’s Public Interest Program (NUPIP), the only student-run fellowship program of its kind in the nation, was founded by SESP students two years ago and continues to be coordinated by four SESP students. NUPIP co-founder Jon Marino (far left) went on to plan service learning projects and trips as a fellow at the Chicago Public Schools Service Learning Initiative.
	Student leaders of the SESP service organization Promote 360 develop innovative programs for supporting and empowering minority students. They mentor middle school students to encourage college attendance and provide undergraduates with speakers on pressing issues; occasions to network with faculty; and information about internships, scholarships and research.
	In an effort to encourage effective school leadership to foster school reform, professor James Spillane and assistant professor Michelle Reininger (left) began a study of school principal preparation, recruitment and career paths. They received a $500,000 grant from the Spencer Foundation.