The “Leadership Experience Project” is a project of passion and/or interest of a student’s choice. The vision of this program is to help students apply their knowledge and skills while solving real problems in real areas of need. Projects will include a project proposal, focus on research, and typically conclude with a formal presentation and plan for action.
Students who participate in the Advanced Level may complete a Leadership Experience Project (LEP) as their capstone experience. An LEP is a team initiative (team = 2 or more students) of the students' choice and focuses on completing a large-scale project. Students are encouraged to select a project or cause that inspires their willingness to accept new challenges, solve problems, and work for more than a letter grade.
Previous projects include: TEDxUniversityofAkron, the STRIVE Scholarship Fund, Augmented Reality, Hidden In Plain Sight – Human Trafficking Awareness, Battle of the Bands Fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House, and many others.
Each student on the LEP team is eligible to receive up to $1000 in funding towards completing their projects. Funding can be shared among a team. For example, a team of four students may request up to $4000. More examples of how funds can be used and how to request them can be found in the LEP Budget Proposal Guidelines found in the Resources section of this page.
The LEP will take 2 semesters to complete and will be completed as part of a 3 credit hour academic course (6100:499 or 6100:497 for Honors Students). All LEP proposals must be approved by Dr. Susan Hanlon, Assistant Dean of the College of Business. Proposals must be submitted the semester before the student participates in the 6100:499 or 6100:497 course.
Honors students have the option to substitute the Leadership Experience Project (LEP) as their Honors Project. The course number is the same as the standard Honors Project - 6100:497 - and is included in the “Individual Plan” as an option in completing the Advanced Level of the Designation Program.
Honors students must still refer to the Honors Requirements for satisfying their Honors Project as part of completing their Honors Degree Requirements.
Spring, Junior Year
Fall, Senior Year
Spring, Senior Year