Claremont McKenna College Recognized by Carnegie Foundation for Commitment to Responsible Leadership

CLAREMONT—Claremont McKenna College is among the 25 inaugural recipients of the Carnegie Foundation Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose, a formal recognition of the College’s campus-wide commitment to tackling complex societal issues and fostering a deeper understanding of leadership as a public good.

David Day, Claremont McKenna College Professor and Academic Director at the Kravis Leadership Institute, shepherded the four-year effort, which involved every aspect of campus life—from the College’s curriculum and student programming to alumni outreach and staff development.

In part, the elective classification is based on the shared principle “that leadership education and development is a core function of American higher education and represents an applicable tangible skillset for furthering civil discourse and public good around the globe.”

“The Carnegie Foundation’s inaugural designation and recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to responsible leadership,” said Claremont McKenna College President Hiram Chodosh. “We are all extremely grateful, proud of our leading experts, and in response to the public challenges of our time, moved to take this successful campus-wide effort to the next level.”

The Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University, in partnership with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education, established the Carnegie Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose in January 2020, with Claremont McKenna as one of the nine founding institutions.

In applying for the certification, the College highlighted how responsible leadership aligns with its Open Academy, as well as Claremont McKenna’s mission to prepare students for thoughtful and productive lives and responsible leadership in business, government, and the professions.  

Day described earning the certification from the Carnegie Foundation as an important validation of the College’s intentional, purposeful efforts, particularly with leadership development among students.

“This was an opportunity to (demonstrate) how serious we are about responsible leadership,” Day said, noting that the “spirit of the elective classification” will involve ongoing evaluation and discovering ways to continue striving toward leadership goals.

“This is not just a ‘one and done’ endeavor … but one that is grounded in self-study and continuous improvement,” he added.

About Claremont McKenna College:
Claremont McKenna College is a private, 1,300-student residential liberal arts college located east of Los Angeles in Southern California. Since 1946, the College’s mission has been to prepare students for thoughtful and productive lives and responsible leadership in business, government, and the professions. Renowned for its Open Academy commitments to freedom of expression, viewpoint diversity, and constructive dialogue, as well as expertise in economics and government, Claremont McKenna also features an accomplished faculty of scholars and committed teachers in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Students are drawn to the College’s unparalleled offerings, including: 11 research institutes and centers; the ability to conduct research one-on-one with faculty; and access to leaders, artists, and visionaries who engage with students at the Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum. Claremont McKenna is a member of The Claremont Colleges. For more information, visit https://www.cmc.edu/.