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J. Richard and Mary Chase Leadership Program

 

The Chase Leadership Program (CLP) is a leadership pathway available for Freshman, Sophomores, and Juniors at Wheaton College. Taking classes both on Wheaton’s campus and at HoneyRock, participants in the program will be equipped to pursue lifelong faithfulness, effectiveness, and growth.

 

Chase Leadership Program at Wheaton College

Through academic study, leadership experience, and Christian service, students learn about both the art and science of leadership. As a interdisciplinary program, the Chase Leadership Program brings faculty from a wide variety of fields to teach students from all majors.

A Program that Complements Your Major

  • Integrate best practices of leadership directly into your field of study
  • Dedicate time to studying the science and practicing the art of effective leadership
  • Learn how to lead by leading...get out of the classroom and into real positions of influence

Connections to Deepen Your Learning

Between fellow Chase participants, faculty, and the Chase Advisory Committee, you'll find mentors and guides to help you develop your leadership capacity. 

Academic Study and Internship Experience

This certificate blends academic study of theories, models, and case studies alongside practical internship experiences where students can apply their learning immediately. Here is a preview of what you'll be doing through the experience:

In the Chase Leadership Program, you will move through courses and experiences that develop your capacity to lead yourself, lead others, lead teams, and lead in organizations and society. Students follow the 70-20-10 model promoted by the Center for Creative Leadership. Experience represents 70% of the program, 20% is coaching, and 10% is coursework. Coaches will walk alongside you to facilitate reflection and deepen your learning.

Kaylee Kooyman leading Passage group at HoneyRock
Hear from Kaylee, Leadership Student

"What really stood out was the progression of leadership HoneyRock seeks to teachLeadership begins with the individual. You first learn how to lead yourself well, which really focuses on building self-awareness. You then progress to how to lead others, teams and finally, organizations. I had never learned about leadership from that perspective before but it resonated with me." - Kaylee Kooyman '21

Meet the Chase Leadership Program Advisory Council

This council presents on leadership topics, mentors Chase participants, and contributes to the development of the experiences and coursework of the Chase Leadership Program.


Jasper Bacon headshot

Jasper Bacon

Ministry Founder and Director
Mississippi

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Dayle Carden

Foreign Policy Professional and U.S. Diplomat
United Arab Emirates

Barrett McRay headshot

Barrett McRay, Psy.D.

Soul Care and Mental Health Expert
Illinois

Joe Rank headshot

Brigadier General Joe Rank (ret)

Military Leadership and Corporate Executive
Saudi Arabia

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Barry Engleman

Leadership Coach and Strategy Consultant
Texas

Bryce Ruiz headshot

Bryce Ruiz

Business Executive
Texas

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Hannah Stoltz

Marketing and Higher Education Expert
Illinois

CAPT David Iglesias, J.D.

CAPT David Iglesias, J.D.

Foreign Military and Legal Expert
Illinois

As an Applied Health Science major, I learn how to care for the physical body. My Leadership Certificate coursework on campus and at HoneyRock teaches me how to care for the soul.  Applying the study of both disciplines to three diverse internships has empowered me to be a more effective leader.

Cassidy Griffith '19
Applied Health Science
Carrollton, GA

Year by Year of the Chase Program

Experiences

The first year provides experiences that focus your attention on personal spiritual formation, character development, and personal responsibility. 

You'll begin your experience with Passage, the orientation program of Wheaton College. During the year you'll participate in a retreat at HoneyRock and complete a service oriented school year practicum.

Coursework

Your Passage experience is a 2-credit course called Introduction to Spiritual Formation. In the spring semester you'll take another 2-credit course called Foundations of Leadership.

Mentoring

During this year you'll meet Advisory Council members, connect with a running partner, and receive coaching from Chase Program staff. 

 

 

Experiences

The second year turns your attention to leading others. The first experience is a retreat at HoneyRock and the second is the hallmark experience of spending a summer in a leadership school at HoneyRock. This summer position is paid. 

Coursework

In the Fall you'll take a four-credit course called Discipleship. As followers of Christ, we are called to go and make disciples of all nations. While not a traditional component of a leadership program, it's foundational to Chase.

In the Spring a course called Leadership Development will prepare you for a summer of ministry at HoneyRock. This course integrates the previous three (Intro to Spiritual Formation, Foundations of Leadership, and Discipleship) and readies you to minister and serve youth and young adults.

Mentoring

Mentorship will continue in this year in the form of running partners, Advisory Council connections, group meetings, assessment tools, and more.

Experiences

Leading teams serves as the theme for year three. You'll participate in Innovation Scholars with the Center for Faith and Innovation. You'll again retreat to HoneyRock. Finally, you'll complete a campus, community, or paid HoneyRock-based Practicum. This practicum will require you to be in a peer leadership position.

Coursework

The first course is a four-credit class called Leadership and Human Systems. The second of the year is an elective of your choice with the approval of the program director. It's recommended that this is an upper-level course of your major. 

Mentoring

Mentorship will continue in this year in the form of running partners, Advisory Council connections, group meetings, assessment tools, and more.

Experiences

This final year of the certificate has three distinct leadership experiences: Lead Passage in a paid role, complete an internship, and coach first-year Chase participants. 

Coursework

Your first course is actually your internship. The Chase staff team will help you network and find an internship that integrates your major and/or area of interest with a leadership opportunity. 

The second course of the year, Integrative Leadership Seminar, occurs as an intensive. This is a comprehensive reflection on your college experience to date and seeks to bring together your leadership coursework, experience, and reflections alongside your major.

Mentoring

Mentorship will continue in this year in the form of running partners, Advisory Council connections, group meetings, assessment tools, and more.

Blanchard Tower, Wheaton College IL

Partnered with Two Wheaton Centers

The Chase Leadership Program is led by the HoneyRock Center for Leadership Development. Two additional Wheaton Centers, the Center for Faith & Innovation (CFI) and the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics, and Economics (FPE), have partnered to enrich the Chase Leadership experience.

Explore CFI Explore FPE

Chase Program Faculty

Rob Ribbe Headshot

Rob Ribbe, Ph.D.

Executive Director of HoneyRock Center for Leadership Development
Assistant Professor of Christian Formation and Ministry

Junias Venugopal

Junias Venugopal, Ph.D.

Associate Dean of the School of Mission, Ministry, & Leadership
Co-Director of M.A. in Global Leadership
Associate Professor of Evangelism & Leadership

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Elective Professor + Practicum Supervisor(s)

The elective course(s) and practicum(s) allow for professors of diverse fields to inform the academic component of the Chase Program.

Chase Program Supporting Instructors

Nate Thompson headshot

Nate Thompson, Ph.D.
HoneyRock Center for Leadership Development
Passage Program Director

Ashley KileyAshley Kiley, M.A.
HoneyRock Center for Leadership Development
Camp Programs Director


The Leadership Certificate prepares, equips, and challenges Wheaton Students to become better leaders in whatever field of study they wish to pursue. The curriculum is engaging, discussions are meaningful and practical, and the professors are world-class and have experience that speak into the lessons that are taught and learned about leadership. The Leadership Certificate has been one of the most practical and influential parts of my time at Wheaton, and I have used the lessons that I learned through the program every day. — Emily Norbeck 2021
Pursuing this Leadership Certificate has had an indescribable effect on my life. It has allowed me to engage in a discipline that is perhaps the must studied and least understood. My time in this program gave me space to consider my own self-leadership and faith and how that influx of these practices can lead to real change in my life, the life of others, and the life of organizations. — Tucker Wood 2021