The institute, which is to be funded by private gifts, will be unique in its integrated focus on leadership assessment, development and research. Chris Riordan, Management, has been named director of the interdisciplinary institute by Dean George Benson. She also served on the proposal committee. Additionally, an executive advisory council composed of senior executives will be established to provide guidance and feedback on the institute's activities.
Several activities are in development under the institute's banner.
Riordan is negotiating potential partnerships to get a battery of leadership assessment instruments for use by students and executives. And by August, the institute wants to have a recommended leadership curriculum for all Terry College undergraduates. As a companion to that, a recommended reading list for students will include, for example, Harvard Business Review articles and best-selling books on leadership. Given today's rapidly changing work environments we feel that leadership talent is a competitive advantage for both individuals and organizations.