Leadership & Service
Establishing Lives of Leadership and Service
Davidson's primary purpose is to help students lead lives of leadership and service. As such, we are committed to embedding leadership and service opportunities for students as a key part of the Davidson experience.
There are many ways that students become involved with service to the campus and the community, and there are many student organizations and initiatives that students take part in to refine their leadership skills.
The Center for Civic Engagement
The Center for Civic Engagement is home to many service and leadership opportunities on campus. The Center oversees a variety of programming including the service odyssey pre-orientation program, summer internships with non-profits and community education partners, a community involvement fair, the Bonner Scholars program, and 25 student-led service organizations.
Chidsey Program for Leadership Development
The Chidsey Program for Leadership Development prepares Davidson students to exercise leadership in ways that positively impact campus, community, and world. The Leadership Fellows Program provides an experienced-based curriculum that builds self-awareness, increases student abilities to address complex problems, builds meaningful relationships, and encourages action.
Deliberative Citizenship Initiative
The Deliberative Citizenship Initiative creates opportunities for Davidson students, faculty, staff, and community members to productively engage with one another on difficult and contentious issues facing our community and society. Individuals can participate in the DCI through its fellowship program, deliberative “D” teams, issue-based forums, facilitation training workshops, and more.
Katherine M. Bray Women’s Leadership Conference
The Katherine M. Bray Women’s Leadership Conference, named after Davidson alumna and former Associate Dean of Students, is an annual event organized by students and college sponsors. The conference aims to create spaces for Davidson students and the surrounding community to hear from valuable speakers, many of whom are renown alumnae, and discuss contemporary women's issues.
Experiential Learning
Catalyst programs aim to make connections to the broader world through research, internships, community-based learning and education abroad. Our opportunities for leadership and discovery prepare students for our global world while allowing them to develop knowledge, skills and values from experiences outside the classroom.
Student Spotlight Spin Cycle Mobile Washer, a Patented Invention of Talar Terzian ’23 Could Improve Millions of Lives
When Talar Terzian ’23 learned that people without electricity sometimes spend the majority of their day just trying to clean their clothes, she applied a long-held fascination with laundry agitators to the unmet need.
She now holds the patent for the Spin Cycle Mobile Washer, a low-cost, portable laundry machine.
Leader in Residence Spotlight Bob McKillop Brings Hardwood Know-How to Off-the-Court Leadership Role
Bob McKillop uses his 33 years of experience to speak and write about leadership. His role benefits students, faculty and staff, alumni, friends of Davidson College, and public groups. McKillop also mentors students and alumni interested in developing leadership competencies, as well as gives lectures to corporate and civic audiences.