Purdue News

October 15, 1999 Leadership programs now nationally accredited WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University's School of Technology can add another feather to its cap – another of its departments now is a nationally accredited academic program. After three years of preparation and review, the school's program in organizational leadership and supervision has been accredited by the Academy of Strategic and Organizational Leadership based at Western Carolina University at Cullowhee, N.C. The accreditation is valid for 10 years. "We always knew we had a strong program, and now an independent authority has confirmed it," said Michael Menefee, professor and head of the department. "They reviewed our curriculum and courses, faculty and instructors, computer resources, library, admissions requirements, and placement records, and found us to be among the best in the nation." The department prepares students for leadership positions in business, industry, government and service agencies. Its placement rate for graduates consistently hovers around 99 percent. Recruiters range from large manufacturing operations to nonprofit organizations. "There is no shortage of demand for individuals who can lead people," Menefee said. "Our goal is to train students to be leaders." Seven hundred students are majoring in organizational leadership and supervision on the West Lafayette campus. The newly accredited program is also offered at eight of Purdue's 11 School of Technology Statewide Delivery System sites; Anderson, Columbus, Elkhart, Kokomo, Lafayette, Richmond, South Bend and Southeastern Indiana. All eight sites grant four-year degrees. "We work very closely with our statewide sites to ensure that our students at those locations get a program comparable to what is available here on the main campus," Menefee said. Organizational leadership and supervision is one of eight departments in the School of Technology. The others are aviation technology, building and construction management technology, computer graphics, computer technology, electrical engineering technology, industrial technology, and mechanical engineering technology. CONTACT: Menefee, (765) 494-5599; meneffem@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page