LEAD 120 Course at Nichols College
Lead 120 is the signature hands-on leadership training experience for underclassmen at Nichols College.
This experiential and project-based learning program, typically taken during the fall semester of a student’s first year, is designed to help students discover their strengths while learning collaboration and leadership skills that will set them apart in today’s workplace. Access to this program is one of the many ways Nichols provides job prep in college.
Offered on the Nichols campus in Dudley, MA, this course gives students a first look at the practice of leadership through a mix of teamwork and case studies, alumni interactions, faculty mentorship and student career coaching.
Learning Leadership by Doing
Lead 120 teaches leadership the same way that graduates will need to apply it in the workplace: through project-based activities. Instead of traditional lectures, students learn by doing. They work in small groups to tackle real business case studies that mirror challenges they may face in their future workplaces.
Key components of Lead 120 include:
- Team-driven problem solving
- Structured project work that mirrors professional scenarios
- Practice in communication, collaboration and conflict resolution
- Support for students as they identify their leadership style
These experiential and project-based learning opportunities help students build confidence and understand how their individual strengths can contribute to the success of a team.
Guest Speaker Series
Through the Lead 120 Guest Speaker Series, leadership comes to life through real stories and real careers. Throughout the semester, students gain access to successful Nichols College alumni and industry leaders and learn about how they got started and how they lead today. Students are encouraged to ask questions and connect speaker insights back to their own leadership goals. The Guest Speaker Series offers a key chance to learn about diverse career paths, as well as networking opportunities to build early professional connections.
Nichols Career Services: Embedded Career Coaching
A core part of Lead 120 is student career coaching. Faculty and alumni mentors offer personalized feedback on teamwork, communication and presentation skills. Students learn how to speak with clarity and get a better understanding of the expectations of professional environments.
Lead 120 also serves as an introduction to Nichols career services, where students can continue building their resumes and preparing for interviews. The Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) also supports students in identifying internship opportunities.
The early career support offered through Lead 120 builds strong habits that Nichols College students carry forward through future coursework and job preparation in college.
Preparing for the Next Step
Lead 120 lays the groundwork for advanced leadership opportunities at Nichols College. Students gain foundational, transferable skills that prepare them for:
- Internships across New England
- Higher-level Signature Leadership Programs, like the Emerging Leaders Program
- Leadership roles in student organizations and on athletics teams
- Collaborative academic projects
- Future professional development seminars
By the end of the course, students have a clearer sense of who they are as leaders and how they want to grow throughout their time at Nichols.
