AAC&U conference presentation: Capstone courses have proven to be a valuable experience in leadership education as well as a valuable tool for programmatic assessment. Within the capstone course, ePortfolios are an excellent tool to collect evidence, reflect on coursework, and apply formal class concepts to nonformal experiences. This session highlights the frame-work for a capstone course and ePortfolio requirement for Virginia Tech’s undergraduate minor in Leadership and Social Change. Results include anecdotal evidence of student learning within the academic minor and include direct attention to the capstone course objectives. ERIC KAUFMAN, Professor; and RICHARD RATEAU, Assistant Professor of Practice—both of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

1. Leadership and Social
Change:
A Capstone ePortfolio
Perspective
DR. ERIC KAUFMAN &
DR. RICHARD RATEAU
JANUARY 25, 2020

2. 237
[Number of times the word “leader,” “leaders,” or “leadership” is noted in the AAC&U conference program]

3. Overview
1. Framing Leadership
2. Leadership & Social
Change Minor
3. Capstone ePortfolio
Requirement
4. Student Examples &
Reflections

4. Implicit Leadership Frames

5. Leadership
Through the Ages
[Graphic from https://rapidbi.com/leadership-through-the-ages/]

6. “Leadership” has Become a Commodity

8. Ways to
Study
Leadership
(Jackson & Parry, 2018)
1. Attempt to lead
2. Observe leadership in
action
3. Talk about leadership
4. Read about leadership
5. Write about leadership

9. “If your actions inspire others to
dream more, learn more, do more and
become more, you are a leader.”
- John Quincy Adams

10. Social Change Model of
Leadership

11. • How does this relate to
higher education?
• How does it relate to
leadership education?
The Backwards Brain Bicycle -
Smarter Every Day 133
Video at:
https://ed.ted.com/featured/bf2mRAfC
Moving from Knowledge to
Understanding

12. Virginia Tech’s Leadership
& Social Change Minor
The Leadership and Social Change minor requires
satisfactory completion of course work from a leadership
core and electives, social change electives, and a capstone
project, for a total of 19 credit hours.

13. 1. First-Year Seminars and Experiences
2. Common Intellectual Experiences
3. Learning Communities
4. Writing-Intensive Courses
5. Collaborative Assignments and Projects
6. Undergraduate Research
7. Diversity / Global Learning
8. ePortfolios
9. Service Learning, Community-Based Learning
10. Internships
11. Capstone Courses and Projects
High Impact Practices (AAC&U, 2019)

14. Leadership Studies
Capstone
Culmination of comprehensive knowledge gained about
leadership and social change throughout a student's
undergraduate career. Involves reflection on collegiate
leadership experiences and coursework in the leadership
and social change minor. Results in student development of
an electronic portfolio (i.e., ePortfolio). Pre: Senior
standing.

15. • Define and describe the social change model of leadership
development in relationship to academic and co-curricular
experiences.
• Analyze beliefs and experiences related to
societal/community values associated with leadership and
social change.
• Analyze beliefs and experiences related to group values
associated with leadership and social change.
• Analyze beliefs and experiences related to individual values
associated with leadership and social change.
• Demonstrate critical reflection on key events that shaped
their personal philosophy on leadership.
• Synthesize personal reflections in an ePortfolio.
Capstone Learning Objectives

16. Capstone
Conceptualized with a
focus on students each
developing an
ePortfolio that
highlights the lessons
learned about
leadership and social
change throughout
their college career.

17. Capstone
ePortfolios serve as an
electronic collection of evidence
of student learning over the
period of time. ePortfolios are
an opportunity for students to
reflect on their work and their
learning.

18. Combatting Selective Attention

19. Leadership
Defined
1. ePortfolio practice done well advances student
success.
2. Making learning visible, ePortfolio practice done well
supports reflection, integration, and deep learning.
3. eportfolio practice done well catalyzes learning-
centered institutional change.
(Eynon & Gambino, 2017, p. 9)
ePortfolio – a High Impact Practice

20. Capstone
ePortfolios
ePortfolios are an
opportunity for students to
reflect on their work and
their learning.

21. Capstone
ePortfolios
“…make student learning
visible to students
themselves, to their peers
and faculty, and to
external audiences.”
(Eyon & Gambino, 2017, p. 1)

22. Leadership
Defined

23. “To me, leadership is more
than an authoritative position. It
is an outlook and perspective
of humility that empowers
others not through force but
through encouragement.”

24. “Through this course, I began my study of
leadership. I learned a variety of different
approaches to leadership including…”

25. “I thought about how my experiences since
freshman year have changed my philosophy.”

26. “To me, The Big Event is more than just a
community service initiative. It reminds me why I
chose to come to Virginia Tech and why I do
what I do. It is a reflection of my past, present,
and future, and it is a reminder that I value
serving my community. The Big Event shows me
that change can happen and that I can be a part
of it.”

27. “This course had a huge impact on why I
continued to purse leadership. Previously,
I had thought that leadership was what
‘politicians did’…”

28. “My four years of college would have looked entirely
different without these relationships, and I plan to
apply what I learned about gaining citizenship in my
involvement and employment in the future.”

29. What about
metacognition?

30. Video Reflection Assignment
Respond to interview questions from an employer or
graduate / professional school:
1. What is the leadership minor?
2. Why did you chose the minor?
3. How will it help you make positive changes in the
future?
4. What value the minor is to your current plans?
Upload a 150- to 210-second recording.

36. For More Information
Dr. Eric Kaufman, Professor
Agricultural, Leadership, and
Community Education
(540) 231-6258
EKK@vt.edu
Dr. Richard Rateau, Asst. Professor
Agricultural, Leadership, and
Community Education
(540) 231-1435
rrateau@vt.edu