Every other year, the Department of Leadership Studies provides a unique opportunity for students to travel abroad and learn leadership from a global perspective. From studying Italian and Greek culture to delving into the Holocaust in Europe, students have had the opportunity to connect their classroom learning about leadership to a broader context. Students can receive academic credit for the trip through the department. 

Student Testimonial

"Vatican City had a profound impact on me. By viewing the works of Michelangelo and seeing the tomb of Pope Saint John Paul II, I came to the realization of just how important it is to use the gifts and talents we have been given for the betterment of society." - Michaela Sasse, Junior, Biology Major, Leadership Studies Certificate Recipient, attended the Summer 2014 trip to Europe.

London 2018

In January 2018, the Departments of Leadership Studies, Criminal Justice, and Psychology traveled to London, England for an opportunity to connect leadership, criminal justice, and psychology to a variety of experiences in the United Kingdom. Partnering with EF College Study Tours, students saw the Houses of Parliament, Tower of London, and the Sigmund Freud Museum; participate in a Jack-the-Ripper tour, and view court proceedings at the Old Bailey Central Criminal Court. In addition, students will have face-to-face discussions with a UK government official and local law enforcement. See a more detailed itinerary for highlights of the eight-day trip. 

Student Participants 

*Organizational Leadership Students

• Keri Asche
• Robert Austin
• Devin Blackwood
• Jacy Buchholz*
• David Coachman*
• Hannah Dehn
• Jamie Deuel
• Steven Hoyt
• Amanda Hurla
• Spencer Kochanowski
• Jacob Korte
• Jordan Larzalere
• Sarah Mick
• Allison Muth*
• Raenee Patterson*
• Anneka Sundell
• Kyle Switala
• Taya Thornburg
• Justice Voss
• Grace Wasinger
• Collette West*
• Samantha Whisenant

Faculty Participants 

• Kaley Klaus, Leadership Studies
• John Raacke, Criminal Justice
• Jennifer Bonds-Raacke, Psychology

Pictures

Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France

In May of 2016, 20 students participated in the interdisciplinary study abroad experience that was offered jointly through the Department of Leadership Studies and the Department of Communication Studies. This experience lasted 13 days and took students to Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France. Students had the opportunity to visit historical sights and locations accompanied by a local tour guide for each major city visited on the trip. The purpose of this experience, and the class that preceded it was to afford students an experiential learning opportunity to help them embrace the global aspect of their studies.

Students who participated in the study abroad trip were:

• Serena Baetz
• Macy Becker
• Jordanna Beikman
• Jessica Bryant
• Brooke Hanzlicek
• Tracy Hemphill
• Lindsey Hurford
• Faith Kohl
• Emily Leiker
• Kylie Mowery
• Emily Neises
• Melissa Olguin
• Emilie Pearson
• Marisol Regalado
• Megan Rust
• Carlie Snethen
• Lauren Solzman
• Haley Stickel
• Graham Swartzell
• Cristal Ugarte

Faculty members for the trip were:

• Seth Kastle
• Marcella Marez
• Korby Boswell

Pictures

England, France, and Italy: Summer of 2014

Nine students and one faculty member traveled to Europe in May 2014 for a 12-day study of leadership on a global and diverse scale. The group enrolled in LDRS 490, Topics in Leadership Studies, in the spring 2014 semester before leaving for the trip. The group started in London, England and made their way to Paris, France, the following destinations in Italy: Florence, Assisi, Rome, and the Sorrento Region, and the independent state of Vatican City.

A few trip Highlights include:

• Big Ben, British House of Parliament, Hyde Park, and St. Paul's Cathedral in London, England
• The Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France
• Ponte Vecchio, Duomo di Firenze, and Piazza Della Signoria in Florence, Italy
• The Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi
• The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain, in Rome, Italy
• St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City
• Pompeii, Capri, and the Bay of Naples in the Sorrento Region of Italy

Participants:

• Katrina Black, Palco, Kansas
• Cesar Garcia II, Garfield, Kansas
• Morgan Lawrence, Dighton, Kansas
• Alisyn Martin, McPherson, Kansas
• Thomas Moeder, La Crosse, Kansas
• Nikki Rabe, Spearville, Kansas
• Haley Rankin, Sharon, Kansas
• Michaela Sasse, Gaylord, Kansas
• Alma Varela, Liberal, Kansas
• Justin Greenleaf, Assistant Professor of Leadership Studies Instructor/Trip Coordinator