Bobcats on the rise: Leadership Launchpad empowers new student leaders

Members of Leadership Launchpad holds up signs about Leading

��Ƶ’s College of Business continues to level up its leadership development offerings with the success and continued momentum of the Leadership Launchpad—a dynamic initiative designed for first- and second-year students eager to explore their leadership potential early in their college journey.

Since its launch, the program has exceeded expectations, enrolling more than 90 students in its first semester. This spring, participation stayed strong, with 40 students completing the program and another 60 actively working toward completion. And the impact? It’s already showing.

Dr. Cody Clemens, who joined the Walter Center for Strategic Leadership this year, is now the program's new director. Under his guidance, the Launchpad has maintained energy and become a springboard into deeper leadership engagement across campus.

“Amy Toth built the foundation for the Leadership Launchpad, and I cannot thank her enough for everything she has done. When I took over as director this spring, I hit the ground running. Leadership should be accessible to everyone, regardless of background or schedule. The Launchpad opens the door early and makes leadership feel possible for every undergraduate student, and the response has been powerful. We see students finish the program and immediately ask, ‘What’s next?’ That kind of momentum tells us we’re sparking something real—something lasting,” says Clemens.

An instructor talks with OHIO students in a Leadership Launchpad program

The Leadership Launchpad is built around three essential steps that help students earn a digital LinkedIn credential and a challenge coin—a tangible symbol of their accomplishment and commitment to growth.

Program milestones include:

Leadership Workshops: Students complete two skill-building workshops that help them understand core leadership principles and uncover their own leadership style.
Signature Event Participation: Students engage in one Walter Center signature event, such as the Leader Games Challenge, LEADLive, the Eco-Challenge, or the Lancaster Executive Leadership Speaker Series.
Personal Reflection: A final written reflection ties the experience together and earns students their official credential.

What makes the Launchpad stand out is its intentional design: created in partnership with Business Academic Advising and Career Services, the program fits into even the busiest Bobcat’s schedule—allowing students to grow personally and professionally without major time commitments.

“Our incredible colleagues at Business Academic Advising and Career Services (BAACS) have brought a remarkable blend of intentionality and practicality to the Launchpad, making it a standout experience for all involved,” says Clemens. “Their expertise and dedication go beyond expectations—by incorporating powerful tools like D.I.S.C., they’ve helped students unlock deeper self-awareness and build stronger connections with others. Thanks to their partnership, the Launchpad wasn’t just built for students—it was built around them, shaping an experience that’s truly personalized and transformative.”

An OHIO student fills out a document for Leadership Launchpad

And the results thus far have been exciting. On a scale from 1 to 10, students have ranked the Leadership Launchpad an impressive 9.7, a clear sign that the program is making a meaningful impact. This year alone, six Launchpad students were accepted into the prestigious Wandell Fellows Program, and one into the highly selective Emerging Leaders program. Dozens more are continuing their development by pursuing certificate programs such as the Strategic Leadership Certificate and Human Resources Management Certificate, or enrolling in experiential courses like:

MGT 3300 – HR Management
MGT 3435 – Eco Challenge
MGT 4900 – Nonprofit Leadership & Management (brand new course)

Looking ahead, the Walter Center team is already developing the next phase: Leadership Accelerator, a companion program aimed at juniors and seniors launching in Fall 2025. This new offering will provide more advanced workshops and deeper engagement, rounding out a full spectrum of leadership development from a student’s first year to graduation.

As the Launchpad continues to grow, one thing is clear: The Walter Center is cultivating a new generation of student leaders ready to lead with purpose—on campus, in their careers, and beyond.

For more information, see the Leadership Launchpad website.

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