Geneva College

Integrated Leadership Project

msol8.jpgThe integrated leadership project (ILP) is a six-credit capstone endeavor that is developed over the course of the MSOL program experience.  In general terms, the ILP is similar in process to a portfolio. A portfolio may be described as a compilation of materials that reflect one's account of a particular experience. In this sense, portfolios often are composed of qualitative components or items.  Qualitative, as is used in this case, refers to things (e.g., papers, written projects, presentations, etc.) that are created by the students in contrast to tests (quantitative measures) that are taken by students. Thus, the ILP represents an authentic student achievement in that the content is created and organized by you into a coherent presentation representing the development of your perception and application of organizational leadership. 
The program of studies in the MSOL program is designed to have an effect on those who experience it. Further, that effect should be more than the accumulation of facts, data, theories, models, etc. The desired effect of the MSOL program experience is to help shape, mold, and impact both the knowledge that has been created by you, and then apply it to your everyday experience in the workplace and everywhere. The result of this effect, hopefully, is a change in your perception and understanding of organizational leadership as expressed throughout the MSOL program experience. The ILP is a record, your expression so to speak, of the how, what, and why of this process of shaping, forming, and molding your perception of organizational leadership.

There are several components to the ILP, which you will develop during your MSOL experience. The steps include application papers, end-of-course response papers, glossary of terms, course projects, and an annotated bibliographic review of literature sources (journals, texts, periodicals, etc.) that focuses on a leadership-related topic of your choice.

Throughout this process you will be assisted by your "mentor."  A mentor is a member of the MSOL faculty whose role is to assist you in the development of the ILP, including the components that lead to the Capstone Integration Paper. This assistance comes in the form of feedback on your papers, projects, response papers, and annotated bibliographic review. Additionally, periodic feedback is provided through face to face sessions, phone calls, and written notes to discuss the ways in which your perception of organizational leadership is being shaped. You will not "journey through the ILP process alone."
