Diplomat Leadership Program
Shaping and Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders
Established in 2022 by a generous gift from the Lancaster-based Steinman Foundation, the Diplomat Leadership Program comprises a scholarship and four years of co-curricular programming. Through monthly workshops, community events, and off-campus programming, students embark on a comprehensive, four-year examination of what it means to be a leader, community member, and force of change in the world.
Diplomat Leaders examine leadership modes (such as the Social Change Model of Leadership), engage with the Lancaster Community through organizations such as Leadership Lancaster and our local businesses and resources, and pursue service opportunities supported by F&M鈥檚 Ware Institute for Civic Engagement.
During the program, students explore the Social Change Model鈥檚 assumptions about leadership, which:
-
- is socially responsible;
- impacts change in support of others;
- is inclusive and values-based; and
- is a process rather than a position
鈥淭he leadership sessions have provided me with a better understanding of myself as
a leader, and have taught me that leadership is not 鈥榦ne-size-fits-all.鈥欌
"I have learned how to better serve myself and my community through discovering my
personal style of leadership.鈥 鈥 Jamie, Diplomat Leadership Participant鈥淭he Leadership Program has without a doubt been one of my favorite parts of being
a student at F&M.鈥
"The ability to meet unique people with interesting perspectives, be connected to
incredible opportunities, and form close bonds with my peers in the program are all
such unique things that I don't think I would have gotten at any other school.鈥 鈥
Ethan, Diplomat Leadership ParticipantFAQ
How are students enrolled into the program?
Students are selected after a brief application process following submission of the
F&M admission application. For applicants entering the college in the fall of 2023, this scholarship was $15,000
per year, renewable for up to eight semesters.
What is the time commitment for accepted students?
Does the program subscribe to a particular model of leadership?
SCM is sometimes known as 鈥淭he Seven C鈥檚 for Change,鈥 because it is organized around
seven values that all start with the letter C: Consciousness of Self, Congruence,
Commitment, Collaboration, Common Purpose, Controversy with Civility, and Citizenship.
These seven values are grouped into three sets: Individual, Group, and Community.
Our exploration of leadership within the Diplomat Leadership Program entails examining
the SCM model, its strengths and weaknesses, and exploring additional leadership models
as we seek to inspire students to lead from their individual and unique strengths.