LeadershipTraQ Gift Enhances Student Leadership Development
Whether students enter Vanguard University pursuing a degree in biology or music, nursing or education, their academic journey is infused with the university’s mission “to pursue knowledge, cultivate character, deepen faith, and equip each student for a Spirit-empowered life of Christ-centered leadership and service.” Curricular and co-curricular experiences help students discern their purpose and strengthen their skills to contribute to their communities as leaders is crucial to delivering a valuable education.
From all corners of the university’s offerings, students are offered opportunities to learn and practice Christ-centered leadership skills. A recent leadership-level gift from Mick and Louise Ukleja of LeadershipTraQ, a leadership-consulting organization based in California, will infuse resources and unify the many existing opportunities to participate in leadership growth and development education
“From a theological perspective, leaders are raised up by God and nurtured in community,” said Chip Espinoza, Ph.D., dean of strategy and innovation at Vanguard. “By bringing LeadershipTraQ to Vanguard, we’re giving students a head start on learning about leadership.”
Enhancing Existing Leadership Opportunities
Nearly half of Vanguard students already participate in leadership roles or training. The LeadershipTraQ gift will coalesce campus leadership opportunities, connecting them with curriculum and training. In the Spring of 2025, several campus groups participated in LeadershipTraQ training, including students serving in roles in Residence Life, Student Engagement and Inclusion, Spiritual Formation, and the Student Government Association. In addition to students, faculty and staff will be offered LeadershipTraQ curriculum focused on career-development.
“Vanguard has always impressed me with how they value leadership in the lives of all their students and in everything they attempt,” Mick Ukleja, Ph.D., founder and president of LeadershipTraQ. “It starts at the top and trickles down to the students. Everything rises or falls with leadership, beginning with the belief that you cannot lead others until you lead yourself.”
Preparing Students for Careers
As emerging leaders, students often face complex challenges and dynamic work environments that require not just technical expertise but also the ability to inspire, influence, and guide others in a way that respects diverse personalities in the workplace. Strong leadership skills enable them to take initiative, foster teamwork, and drive innovation, all of which are essential for career advancement and organizational success.
Dr. Ukleja points out that leadership in a professional sense is just one piece of the puzzle; it’s also an opportunity to deepen their character and use leadership as a tool to be a light in their communities. “Leadership creates culture; culture creates behavior; therefore, work on leadership because that changes behavior,” he shared. By gaining access to leadership development skills, students are doing far more than giving themselves a leg up in the workplace. They are shaping their personhood, building skills to be valuable members of society, and discovering what it looks like to be in community with others.
“Leadership creates culture; culture creates behavior; therefore, work on leadership because that changes behavior. By gaining access to leadership development skills, students are doing far more than giving themselves a leg up in the workplace.”
Mick Ukleja, Ph.D., Founder and President of LeadershipTraQ
Leadership does not always look like being the one in charge. Being a strong leader can mean stepping back to let others challenge themselves, or even encouraging healthy communication in a lower-level department. “Leadership is two sides of the same coin—leader and follower—working together to accomplish a common goal. It’s a dynamic process, and everyone gets better,” Ukleja explained. “The line between the leader and the follower blurs when leadership moves people toward a common goal.”
“Vanguard students will have a competitive advantage over their peers, because they’re going to understand not only the leadership lingo, but also how to present themselves and how to do a quick assessment of situations,” Espinoza explained. “Think about how that can help you at that first company you’re going to work for.”
The gift from Mick and Louise Ukleja to establish LeadershipTraQ at Vanguard marks a transformative moment for the Vanguard community and legacy, empowering students to excel as Christ-centered leaders and contribute positively to society.
