No matter your major, the ability to lead with integrity, communicate across cultures, and navigate global challenges is essential for success. The Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement offers dynamic academic courses that enhance any field of study by developing critical skills in leadership, ethics, identity exploration, and global coalition building. These courses equip students to work effectively in diverse teams, think critically about societal issues, and create meaningful change in their communities and careers. Join us in shaping a future driven by collaboration, understanding, and positive impact—explore our academic offerings today!
UNIV 100-028: Intercultural Intro to George Mason University (Fall 2025)
Course is open to all first-year students! This course offers an introduction to the college experience with a focus on building community through intercultural learning. Students will develop their capacity to work empathetically and collaboratively with others through self-reflection and dialogue across difference. The class meets during the Fall 2025 semester on Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. (CRN 74825). Course Instructor: Jamrensze J. De Leon, M.A. For more info, visit: https://clie.gmu.edu/introintercultural/
INTS 404: Ethics and Leadership (Spring 2026)
Using an interdisciplinary approach, students deepen and broaden their learning about theories, models, and constructs related to the study, and practice, of ethics and leadership. Students learn to better understand themselves as ethical leaders, develop ethical decision making strategies, communicate effectively in intercultural group settings, value civic engagement, and actively apply ethical leadership skills. This highly-interactive learning community includes experiential learning activities and discussions that connect formal knowledge with real world experiences. This four-credit course is offered through the School of Integrative Studies (SIS) and is part of the Leadership Concentration & Leadership Minor, but you do not need to be a part of the concentration or minor to register for this course- see below. This class is offered in the spring semester.
For more information about this Ethics and Leadership course contact Dr. Nick Lennon, Director of the Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement at [email protected]. For more information about the Leadership Concentration or Minor contact Dr. Julie Owen at [email protected]
Study Abroad: Leadership Across Difference: Lessons from Medieval Spain
This program was offered in May 2022 & May 2024. We may offer it again in May 2026. If interested in learning more about the program, check out the information below from May 2024:
This program is scheduled to occur from Monday, May 20, 2024 to Wednesday, May 29, 2024. The dates may change by a few days at the most, but we will depart for Spain no earlier than May 19, 2024 and return from Spain no later than June 4, 2024. Program application now closed. Here is the link to apply: Application-Spain-May 2024. This program has rolling admission: the earlier you apply, the greater your chances of being able to participate. This program filled up the last time we offered it and we had to turn students away, so the earlier you apply, the more likely you will be able to participate.Read a George Mason University article about the May 2022 Spain program here: https://www.gmu.edu/news/2022-07/study-abroad-experience-and-lesson-leadership
Study Abroad: South Africa
The Center for Leadership and Intercultural engagement through the Building Bridges South Africa (BBSA): Breaking the Walls, seeks to provide student participants with field placements that create transformational experiences addressing global social and cultural issues.
There are two sides of Table Mountain, and the view that is often sold to visitors is one of luxury with heavy Western/European influences. BBSA offers students a look of the other side of the mountain where the stories of the most disproportionately harmed often go ignored (i.e. legacy building, fights for survival, and the power of community). What sets this particular experience aside from other study abroad experiences, is the use of the environment/country as the classroom. Students will gain valuable skills and knowledge working directly with local people from the neighboring townships of Cape Town
Our task is to build an international base for understanding culture and health. Some partners include non-governmental organization (NGO’s) that do advocacy work centered around health prevention, youth & community development, and civic engagement.
For more information, visit: https://masonabroad.gmu.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=10704
UNIV 100-034: Brotherhood Achievement Legacy and Leadership Academy – BALLA (Fall 2025)
Course is open to all first-year students! This course introduces students to the college experience with a focus on exploring the achievement of men in higher education. Students will develop tools to successfully navigate their college journey, including strategies for academic success and meaningful social engagement at Mason. The course meets during the Fall 2025 semester on Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. (CRN 81370). Course instructor: Kayon Johnson, M.Ed. For more information, visit: https://clie.gmu.edu/balla/