college of leadership & public service academic programs

challenge your thinking. change the world.

stretch your mind in a college designed for those who aspire to shape and practice a different approach to leadership and public service, built on a model of civil discourse, innovation and bold action.

our faculty and coursework model the highest standards of professional practice, public service and community engagement while integrating valuable service-learning experiences tailored to the specific skill sets of each of the college's disciplines. you could study anything from policy to sustainability, taking strides towards making a difference locally and globally.

in addition to outstanding educational and engagement opportunities, the college of leadership & public service offers several special programs featuring national and international leaders in the field. by engaging with some of the brightest minds of today, you will gain perspective that will develop you into a pacesetter for tomorrow.

undergraduate programs graduate programs

institute for conflict management

we continually assemble the best thinkers from a wide range of fields—law, business, sociology—to examine why conflicts arise. gain a deeper understanding of how to negotiate and defuse conflict and learn from experts in the field what it takes to create consensus and community.

about icm

david gergen and michelle steele on stage at 2022 don r elliott presidential lectures

nelson & sue andrews institute for civic leadership

we exist in response to the reality that addressing community changes today requires a new skill set based on active involvement and collaboration with leaders across all sectors. learn to intentionally, agilely and successfully create lasting change that transcends partisan boundaries.

about the andrews institute

attorney fred. d. gray at a lipscomb event

fred d. gray institute for law, justice & society

here, we believe that legal change is one of the surest means to effect social change. consider america’s legal system from a multidisciplinary perspective to get a fuller understanding of its mechanisms, practice and consequences, and then put that perspective into action.

about the fred d. gray institute

institute for sustainable practice

we respond to real-time issues on a big scale by building a community of people with the skills and knowledge to lead organizations to the type of sustainable culture and practices that translate into bottom line results. explore tangible ways to tread lightly and leave your mark.

about isp

policy proposal leadership & public service

school of public policy

we value a new approach to public service that involves working together to achieve bold, courageous action for the common good. join other engaged thinkers from around the nation to be immersed in a powerful matrix of academics, internships, mentoring and fieldwork.

about the school of public policy

special programs

mediation training programs

training programs remain central to programming from the institutes within the college of leadership & public service. the following are just some of the programs the college offers:

rule 31 civil mediation training
rule 31 family mediation training
rule 31 domestic violence training

rule 31 mediation training

executive education

the college will also serve the region and nation through creative programming that will engage people and organizations in professional development and collaborative conversation. government and public service leaders will find a safe environment for difficult conversations. experts in collaboration, public policy and conflict management will lead conversation on the most difficult challenges society faces. specific programs, such as legacy leaders and innovation labs, will bring the most experienced and brightest minds to the table serving the public good and making government work.

informing civilians

currently, the institutes have a national reputation for bringing varied disciplines around common problems in community and government life. those opportunities will be expanded around contemporary social issues, partnering with national leaders who bring their perspectives to the issues at hand. there will be at least four recurring events annually: the continued hosting of the southeast conference on conflict management, a year-long series of collaborative conversations around a specific community issue, an annual milestone event and/or symposium around a topic of national import and an annual lecture series devoted specifically to critical current issues.