Leadership and Engagement
Leadership and Engagement (LEC) provides support to first-year freshmen students who want to embark on a leadership journey. This journey requires a commitment from students and staff to support one another, while also engaging in community service and leadership activities throughout the year. The LEC is committed to academic success, with a focus on balancing academics, service, leadership, and social activities.
Located in Taylor Hall
Why You Should Apply
If you are looking for a supportive, team-oriented housing environment that is more than just a place to live, but rather a home away from home, consider applying to the LEC.
All majors are welcome (including undecided).
Community Events
The LEC engages in a wide variety of events throughout the academic year, including a Boise River Float, community service projects, community dinners, Idaho Capitol tour, and spring retreat.
Curriculum
The LEC leadership class meets on Tuesday afternoons and combines coursework with real-world experiences and life choices. We learn from one another and explore our unique leadership styles and attributes while practicing what we learn beyond the four walls of a classroom.
Faculty
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Brian Thompson
Incoming Faculty-in-Residence, Assistant Director and Clinical Professor for the LEAD Program
Brian is the Assistant Director and Clinical Professor for the LEAD Program in the School of Public Service (SPS), and is thrilled to be the Faculty-in-Residence supporting the Leadership and Engagement Community (LEC)! In fact, working with students to help develop their unique approach to leadership during times of transition is the culmination of Brian’s career aspirations.
Before joining SPS, he spent more than 20 years designing and facilitating leadership development programs for executives, physicians, and front-line leaders in multiple industries. He had the opportunity to travel the world with his work and experience leadership in a wide variety of cultures and contexts, and is excited to share those insights with students in the LEC and help them discover their own individual potential.
He and his wife, Dalana (who works as a mental health therapist) have two children. Their son was in the LLP during his first-year at Boise State and now lives in Austin, TX, where he is a musician, studying sound engineering. His daughter is a current Bronco studying creative writing.
When not in the classroom, Brian and his wife are often traveling, trying to check items off their bucket list and experiencing new foods. He is a sports fan, particularly baseball (go Red Sox!) and is working on his goal to watch an MLB game at every ballpark.
He looks forward to getting to know every student in the LEC and helping them advance their leadership journey!
Contact Brian Thompson: brianthompson@boisestate.edu
Brian is the Assistant Director and Clinical Professor for the LEAD Program in the School of Public Service (SPS), and is thrilled to be the Faculty-in-Residence supporting the Leadership and Engagement Community (LEC)! In fact, working with students to help develop their unique approach to leadership during times of transition is the culmination of Brian’s career aspirations.
Before joining SPS, he spent more than 20 years designing and facilitating leadership development programs for executives, physicians, and front-line leaders in multiple industries. He had the opportunity to travel the world with his work and experience leadership in a wide variety of cultures and contexts, and is excited to share those insights with students in the LEC and help them discover their own individual potential.
He and his wife, Dalana (who works as a mental health therapist) have two children. Their son was in the LLP during his first-year at Boise State and now lives in Austin, TX, where he is a musician, studying sound engineering. His daughter is a current Bronco studying creative writing.
When not in the classroom, Brian and his wife are often traveling, trying to check items off their bucket list and experiencing new foods. He is a sports fan, particularly baseball (go Red Sox!) and is working on his goal to watch an MLB game at every ballpark.
He looks forward to getting to know every student in the LEC and helping them advance their leadership journey!
Contact Brian Thompson: brianthompson@boisestate.edu
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Dr. Michael Allen
Outgoing Faculty-in-Residence, Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science
Dr. Michael Allen teaches courses in international relations and conflict in the School of Public service as part of the Political Science program. Dr. Allen is entering his 10th year at Boise State and is thrilled to be working with first-year students on leadership, decision-making skills, and strategy as they embark on their college careers. In addition to seeing informed strategy as vital to navigating social, economic, and political venues, his hobbies include many activities that engage competitive decision-making through board, role-playing, and video games as all of those can serve as metaphors for interpersonal choices that we face. Dr. Allen is joined by his wife, Dr. Julie VanDusky-Allen, and their daughter Eleanor Allen and they all look forward to living with the incoming Leadership and Engagement cohort.
Contact Dr. Allen: MichaelAAllen@boisestate.edu
Dr. Michael Allen teaches courses in international relations and conflict in the School of Public service as part of the Political Science program. Dr. Allen is entering his 10th year at Boise State and is thrilled to be working with first-year students on leadership, decision-making skills, and strategy as they embark on their college careers. In addition to seeing informed strategy as vital to navigating social, economic, and political venues, his hobbies include many activities that engage competitive decision-making through board, role-playing, and video games as all of those can serve as metaphors for interpersonal choices that we face. Dr. Allen is joined by his wife, Dr. Julie VanDusky-Allen, and their daughter Eleanor Allen and they all look forward to living with the incoming Leadership and Engagement cohort.
Contact Dr. Allen: MichaelAAllen@boisestate.edu