CAL U: FRANKLIN COVEY LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY

Posted on August 3, 2011

California University of Pennsylvania has been named the world’s first FranklinCovey Leadership University in recognition of its efforts to incorporate leadership principles into teaching, learning and campus life. 

The Franklin Covey Co.’s education practice leader, Sean Covey, made the announcement Aug. 3 at The Leader in Me Global Education Summit at Cal U.

The designation recognizes Cal U’s longtime commitment to character building and leadership training based on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The Leader in Me, and other works by Dr. Stephen R. Covey.

It also signals Cal U’s commitment to reaching Lighthouse University status by instituting the campus-wide Cal U Leader for Life leadership development process and achieving measurable results among students, faculty and staff. 

FranklinCovey confers “lighthouse” status on model schools that meet specific criteria and demonstrate improvements based on the leadership model.

“As a 7 Habits instructor for more than a decade, I have seen the power of Dr. Covey’s ideas firsthand,” said University President Angelo Armenti, Jr. 

“By positioning Cal U as the first FranklinCovey Leadership University, we hope to strengthen the character-building efforts that are a core component of Cal U’s mission and give every member of our campus community the opportunity to become an effective leader.”

For more than a decade, Cal U has offered training in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to all students and employees. A number of Cal U professors voluntarily incorporate 7 Habits principles into their teaching, and the university’s Character Education Institute provides FranklinCovey courses to local businesses.

Beginning this fall, the Cal U Leader for Life process will encourage all students to:

• Participate in Character Quotient (cQ) surveys and a Leadership Foundations module.
• Complete 7 Habits training in face-to-face sessions or online.
• Complete the Great Work, Great Career online course and meet with a career adviser for a career assessment before graduation.
• Take part in capstone leadership activities, including Leadership Forums and community service.

Students who complete the program will be eligible for certificates and special recognition at Commencement.

Similar multi-step programs are being developed for faculty and non-teaching staff. Eventually, parents also will be involved in the leadership initiative.

“I congratulate Cal U for becoming the world’s first FranklinCovey Leadership University and for committing to achieve Lighthouse University status,” said Sean Covey, who also is executive vice president of Global Solutions and Partnerships for FranklinCovey.

“For students, staff and faculty, it promises to help them develop 21^st-century skills and leadership capabilities that are critical for success in today’s fast-changing world. We are excited by this partnership and believe Cal U will be an inspiring example to all universities around the world.”