Leadership in Action

Leadership is often understood (and misunderstood) as a general practice for which anyone with life experience can be considered an expert. Though contemporary leadership perspectives argue that anyone can be a leader, a growing body of leadership scholarship exists to identify the knowledge, skills, and values a leader can study to increase their effectiveness in a variety of positional or nonpositional contexts. This course is designed to help students explore what leadership can be like in practice through the lens of context and adaptability. Specifically, students will explore the critical skills they need to practice leadership both at Appalachian State University and beyond. Students will explore the five Exemplary Practices of Leadership as authored by James Kouzes and Barry Posner and learn how to apply each of these principles to their own leadership.

NOTE: Enrollment is reserved to Plemmons Scholars.

Course Details

Prefix:

UCO

Course Number:

1200

Section Number(s) and Day/Times Taught:

703: TR 9:30am- 10:45am

Term:

Fall 2025

Categories:

Leadership

Instructor(s)

Ashley Vinson

Ashley Vinson serves as an Assistant Director in the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership. In this role, Ashley works with the Plemmons Leadership Scholars, LEAD Team, leadership education workshops and conferences, and marketing & outreach. She received her B.S. in Communication with a Minor in Leadership from Emporia State University and her M.A. in Student Affairs Administration from Appalachian State University. In her free time, Ashley loves reading, watching reality TV, and taking her two pups on adventures.

Megan Kasper

In addition to being an instructor with First Year Seminar, Megan Kasper serves as the Associate Director of Community-Engaged Leadership at Appalachian State University. She is a two-time Mountaineer graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Secondary Education, and a Master of Arts in College Student Development. In addition to working as a public school teacher, Megan has over a decade of experience working in higher education, directly with leadership development and education, learning communities, teacher education, career development, and college access. They also have experience in outdoor education and nonprofit leadership, serving with the Tourette Information Center & Support (TICS) in leading their Camp Twitch and Shout program. Motivated to empower others in developing their leadership identity and context, her professional interests are in applying positive psychology to the practice of leadership, exploring practices of social responsibility, and understanding education policy and its impact on student success outcomes. Megan is happily married, a twin, and passionate about serving others. Her hobbies include reading and watching historical dramas, traveling to explore new places, and enjoying the outdoors with her friends and dogs.

Summer Wisdom

Summer Wisdom serves as an Associate Director in the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership working with the Plemmons Leadership Scholars and the Sustained Dialogue program. She previously served as the Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs at Appalachian State working with the Appalachian Student Ambassadors and Alumni Chapter program. She got her bachelor's degree in English from Appalachian and a masters degree in Sociology from East Carolina University. Her graduate research focused on how higher education can support queer students and after graduation she served as the founding staff member of the LGBT Resource Office at East Carolina University. Summer met her husband Hunter Boone during their first year at App State in undergrad. They have two young daughters, Decker and Robin. She loves making art, swimming, and playing with her girls.

University College

Leadership in Action