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Session 1793

Information and Systems Engineering Leadership Program (ISELP): A New Honors Program Concept at Lehigh University Gregory L. Tonkay, Emory W. Zimmers, and Allison N. Williams

Lehigh University

Abstract

This paper describes the Information and Systems Engineering Leadership Program (ISELP), a new program that was initiated this year by the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department and the Enterprise Systems Center (ESC) at Lehigh University. It is linked to the Information and Systems Engineering (I&SE) degree program. ISELP is available to high achieving students beginning in their freshman or sophomore years and continuing through the senior year.

ISELP was started based on feedback received from employers, industrial partners and alumni about qualities they valued in recent graduates. In addition to technical skills they desired industrial experience and leadership capabilities. The program was built on the strength of contacts between the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department, industry partners, and the Enterprise Systems Center.

This paper describes the requirements for admission, the implementation schedule and the following key features of the program: • Instruction in leadership theory and leadership skill development • Use of leadership assessment tools • Individual interaction with industrial and faculty mentors • Preparation and presentation of case problems • Access to official leadership transcript • Networking with industry partners, faculty, and peers • Use of ESC’s Collaboratory and meeting facilities • Opportunity to practice skills in projects, seminars and classes

A Case for Leadership Experience

One of the most pressing issues facing companies today is the need for an increased number of employees who demonstrate positive leadership skills. Over 70% of top company executives supported this statement in a study conducted by the Human Resources Institute1. Furthermore, only 8% of executives surveyed rated their employees’ leadership skills as “excellent.”2 Many companies do not have leadership training programs to enhance the skills of their employees. They expect those working in higher education to develop leadership competencies in the individuals they are sending into the workforce. To that end, there is clear evidence that teaching

Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2004, American Society for Engineering Education

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Tonkay, G. (2004, June), Information And Systems Engineering Leadership Program (Iselp): A New Honors Program Concept At Lehigh University Paper presented at 2004 Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. 10.18260/1-2--13429