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TRIO Student Support Services

SOC 209: Leadership Development for Changemakers

SOC 209 is an optional, FREE 3-credit course offered to TRIO students each spring. It is co-taught by several KV TRIO staff members, as well as a Teaching Assistant (selected from recent class alumni).

The class meets weekly on Friday mornings for a 3-hour seminar, plus 2-3 daytrips off campus over the course of the semester. Attendance on field trips is mandatory. Dates/times will be announced several weeks in advance, and transportation, meals, etc. will be provided.

It is a 200-level Social Science and Humanities course. This means that it fulfills virtually any General, Social Science, or Humanities elective requirement - making it accessible to most TRIO students, regardless of your degree program. Participants have usually completed at least 1 semester at KVCC.

Throughout the semester, you will:

  • connect with local community leaders ("Human Textbooks") selected from diverse fields and backgrounds
  • develop creative projects using various media (such as writing, photography, podcasting and video design) to define your leadership vision and amplify other voices
  • learn about several different types of leadership, particularly transformational and servant leadership
  • design and implement your own service learning project using the Design Thinking framework - leading in the real world!

The only requirement is a growth mindset - no leadership, writing, or design experience needed! SOC 209 is consciously structured to provide intensive support, a holistic approach to leadership development (meaning: we view trying - failing - learning as a successful outcome), and a safe environment to step outside your comfort zone.

If this sounds like a good fit for you, ask your TRIO advisor about SOC 209 when you register for spring courses!