Richard Dagger

University of Richmond - Jepson School of Leadership Studies

Leadership moves the world. That's why it's important, why we study it, and why we strive to do it well. A Jepson education investigates leadership not only as a position but also as a process and a relationship among people. Students look at leadership as it was, as it is, and as it should be. Courses challenge students to think critically, communicate effectively, and anticipate change. Modern democracy requires people who can think critically, reason ethically, and participate effectively. Successful organizations must be populated by people who understand group processes and how to guide them while maintaining the proper respect for all participants. Change is certain. Leadership ensures that change is intentional. Jepson students step into organizations and life after college with deeper knowledge about leading change, working through challenges, and continuously improving processes, relationships, and operations. While Jepson recognizes that leadership takes many forms, we believe our students are enriched when they have the knowledge and skills to contribute to organizational, political, and social life. The School draws upon the liberal arts to educate students for and about leadership. At Jepson, students use the academic lenses of anthropology, economics, history, literature, philosophy, politics, psychology, and religion to examine the worthwhile topic of leadership and explore fundamental questions about who we are, how we live together, and how we influence the course of history. The School is the first institution of its kind in the world with a full-time, multidisciplinary faculty dedicated to the pursuit of new insights into the complexities and challenges of leadership and teaching undergraduates what they know.