Nikki Hardin

I particularly enjoyed and benefited from LEAD 490: Leadership and Management course. A key takeaway was developing a personal leadership development plan, which has been instrumental in shaping my future professional goals. The course not only provided a strong understanding of core leadership principles but also allowed me to complete self-assessments of my strengths and weaknesses which was helpful in identifying specific areas for my ongoing development.

This course also helped me to recognize my primary leadership style and pinpointed key areas for further learning. I learned the importance of adaptability in leadership therefore I now understand that adjusting my approach depending on the situation, is vital for effectiveness. This course has truly broadened my perspective on what effective leadership entails.

I really enjoyed the PHIL 211: Critical Thinking Course. Although I initially felt some hesitation, the course material on analyzing and reasoning proved to be incredibly useful. Being able to pick apart good arguments and spot those flawed fallacies has made a huge difference in how I evaluate information. Now I don’t just passively accept what I hear or read, I am able to break it down, assess its validity, and form my own opinions and/or conclusions. The skills developed in this course helped me now to analyze information, solve problems logically, and communicate effectively which are fundamental to success. I'll be better equipped to make sound judgments and lead confidently and effectively.

As a non-traditional student balancing a full-time job, the autonomous learning structure of the Organizational Leadership and Learning program made it a perfect fit, providing the essential flexibility I needed to balance life, work, and education. The program also significantly improved my understanding of leadership theories and principles, giving me a clearer perspective on effective leadership. I could immediately apply my coursework to my job. Overall, I developed a stronger self-awareness of my leadership style, which has made me more intentional in using my strengths and working on my weaknesses.