LEAD Scholars Program
Director: Erin Kimura-Walsh
Assistant Director: Andrea Santillan
Program Coordinator: Alma Llamas
Administrative Associate: Claire Shaw
The LEAD Scholars Program is a program for first-generation college students (i.e., students whose parents did not graduate from a four-year college or university) focused on academic success, student leadership, and community engagement. The LEAD Scholars Program provides academic and vocational development opportunities, holistic advising, peer mentoring, and community building through a variety of courses, programs, and support networks.
1. LEAD Scholars Seminar
This fall course aims to assist LEAD scholars in getting the most out of their University experience by developing the academic strategies and personal self-management skills essential for success at Santa Clara. Seminar discussions and exercises focus on a variety of topics including transitional issues, campus engagement, academic resources, and individual growth and development. Reserved for LEAD scholars only. (2 units)
2. LEAD Scholars Seminar
The winter seminar aims to build upon the leadership development of LEAD scholars and encourages application to campus leadership opportunities. Weekly seminar discussions and exercises focus on a variety of topics, including résumé writing, University involvement opportunities, and identity and diversity exploration, as well as spring quarter course registration meetings. Reserved for LEAD scholars only. (2 units)
10. Difficult Dialogues
Explores contemporary controversies through case studies. Focuses on the meanings of dialogue and academic freedom through small group discussions and exercises. Reserved for LEAD scholars only. (4 units)
16. Exploring Mission-Driven Vocations
In this course, students have the opportunity to explore the various types of professional positions in mission-driven organizations, including nonprofit organizations and benefit corporations, through site visits and guest speakers. Assignments and course content will allow students to reflect upon their own vocational goals, and how to align their passions and strengths to a fulfilling career in mission-driven organization. (2 units)
18. Success in Work and Life
In this class, students will learn about various high impact experiences, and take the steps to engage in them. This will include broadening their network, learning more about their field, applying to internships, exploring research positions and discovering paths to graduate school. Reserved for LEAD scholars only. (2 units)
19. Exploring Vocations in Law
This course will provide an exploration of law school and the law field. Students will gain insight into how to successfully prepare to apply to law school and what their classes and experiences will be like. Students will also study case law, and explore how to think and write like a lawyer. They will also learn about law specializations and the early career experiences of attorneys. Reserved for LEAD scholars only. (2 units)
20. Exploring Health Care Vocations
This course will explore the wide range of opportunities available in the health care field in both the medical and public health sectors. It will also guide students through reflection on their career and educational plans and goals. Students will also develop strategies for accessing vocational and educational opportunities in the field including networking, interviewing skills, resume development, and graduate school exploration. Reserved for LEAD scholars only. (2 units)
21. Exploring Engineering Vocations
This course will explore the wide range of opportunities available in the engineering field. It will also guide students through reflections on their career and educational plans and goals. Students will also develop strategies for accessing vocational and educational opportunities in the field including networking, interviewing skills, resume development, and graduate school exploration. Reserved for LEAD scholars only. (2 units)
22. Exploring Graduate School
This course will provide an exploration of graduate school. Students will gain insight in how to research and successfully apply to graduate school, as well as explore the graduate school experience. Students will be provided with an overview of graduate school options and guided in researching graduate programs in their specific areas of interest. Reserved for LEAD scholars only. (2 units)
100. Advanced Difficult Dialogues
Students explore major local and global issues related to social, environmental, economic, and other problems. Research, presentations, and a project in their disciplines will help them reflect on how they can address these problems through their vocation. Reserved for LEAD scholars only. (5 units)
101. Advanced LEAD Seminar
This seminar aims to support two groups of students: transfer students in their transition to SCU and current students who join LEAD after enrolling at SCU. This course prepares them for leadership and vocation within SCU and beyond. Seminar weekly discussions and exercises will focus on a variety of topics including resume writing, presentations on campus resources, and, for transfer students, transition experiences. Reserved for LEAD scholars only. (2 units)
ENGL 1A. and 2A. Critical Thinking & Writing I and II
A two-course, themed sequence for LEAD scholars, featuring study and practice of academic discourse, with emphasis on critical reading and writing, composing processes, and rhetorical situation. The second course will feature more advanced study and practice of academic discourse, with additional emphasis on information literacy and skills related to developing and organizing longer and more complex documents. Themes may address education and identity, science and society, and other topics. Successful completion of CTW I (ENGL 1A) is a prerequisite for CTW II (ENGL 2A). Reserved for LEAD scholars only. (4 units each quarter)