A student meets Rep. John Lewis on the steps of the U.S. Capitol

College of Leadership & Public Service

In this Section Toggle Subnavigation

Where Tennessee Turns for Leadership

To be a transformative, innovative leader in today’s world requires more than knowledge. You need the confidence, practical experiences, and most importantly, the integrity and heart to lead others toward a common goal and a better future. Lipscomb’s College of Leadership & Public Service is “Where Tennessee Turns for Leadership” by intentionally addressing local, national and global issues to prepare leaders to navigate, shape and steer the direction of matters affecting communities and people around the world. Our college is comprised of four institutes and one school, all of which focus on both outreach and academics. Through our distinctive approach to leadership and public service, built on a model of civil discourse, innovation and bold action, you will graduate ready to speak your mind and advocate for new ways to serve others. You will be ready to take immediate action that makes a lasting difference.

A student at an event

Undergraduate Programs

Be ready to affect change. Our undergraduate programs model the highest standards of professional practice, public service and community engagement. By choosing a discipline within our College of Leadership & Public Service, you will receive the specific skill sets, theoretical foundations and practical expertise that will prepare you to successfully live out your calling as a leader in communities around the world.

View Undergraduate Programs
Students studying

Graduate Programs

Our graduate programs in conflict management, leadership and public service, and sustainable practice offer experiential academics and skills that will help you succeed in serving the common good. We offer graduate awards in transit and mobility, education policy, diversity and inclusion, immigration, civil discourse and regional prosperity.

View Graduate Programs
Class in Nashville

Regional Scholars Program

To equip leaders and prepare them to govern in rural areas and small communities, the Regional Scholars Program gives public servants from various regions across Tennessee the opportunity to earn a discounted master’s degree and take their education back to their communities to better serve their constituents. Our aim is that communities would be changed and lives transformed across Tennessee through this program.

About the Regional Scholars Program
Alum Grant Mathis with community members

Reaching the Community

The College of Leadership & Public Service provides a number of opportunities for you not only to get involved in organizations within the community, but also to develop innovative solutions and compassionate action to address problems affecting our city. We serve the region and nation by partnering with national leaders, providing citizen education through seminar training, offering conflict management training and much more.

People

Meet the key people that make up the College of Leadership & Public Service.

  • Steve Joiner headshot

    Steve Joiner

    Executive Director ICM and Dean, College of Leadership and Public Service

    Steve Joiner is the Dean of the College of Leadership and Public Service and Managing Director of the Institute for Conflict Management at Lipscomb University. Joiner also serves as Professor...

    Meet Steve Joiner
  • Laura Encalade headshot

    Laura Encalade

    Executive Director School of Public Policy/Assistant Professor

    Laura Encalade is an experienced educational leader with deep expertise in strategic planning, innovative program design and implementation, and consulting. She is passionate about supporting communities and organizations to advance...

    Meet Laura Encalade
  • Dodd Galbreath headshot

    Dodd Galbreath

    Professor and Director, Institute of Sustainable Practice

    In the Fall of 2007, Professor Galbreath founded the Institute for Sustainable Practice, the Southeast's first, comprehensive, academic sustainability program. As the director of graduate programs, his teaching primarily focuses...

    Meet Dodd Galbreath
  • Emily Stutzman Jones headshot

    Emily Jones

    Assistant Professor and Director, Environmental Science and Sustainability

    With a M.S. in rural sociology and Ph.D. in forestry from Auburn University, Emily Stutzman joined the Institute for Sustainable Practice in January 2015 as our full-time Academic Director. She...

    Meet Emily Jones
  • Kimberly McCall headshot

    Kimberly Mccall

    Director Fred D Gray Law Justice Society

    Kimberly McCall was named the Academic Director for the Fred D. Gray Institute for Law, Justice and Society effective January 1, 2021.  Since 2011, Kimberly McCall has taught as an...

    Meet Kimberly Mccall
  • Randy Spivey

    Randy Spivey

    Adjunct Faculty

    Randy Spivey serves as an adjunct professor for the Fred D. Gray Institute for Law, Justice & Society. Spivey began his legal career as a law clerk for Judge David...

    Meet Randy Spivey
  • William Turner headshot

    William Turner

    Distinguished Professor

    Turner holds a Distinguished Professorship in the College of Leadership and Public Service and is Special Counsel to the President for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. An expert in family, community,...

    Meet William Turner

News

Student presenting at Student Scholars Symposium.
Academics
February 27, 2023

New program fosters diversity, encourages next generation of Lipscomb faculty
New members of the 2023 Presidential Ambassadors Council with Dr. McQueen
Students
February 17, 2023

2023 Presidential Ambassadors Council selected
Anna Bella Skidmore, Aidan Miller and Lily Corley all placed int he 2023 regional Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) competition hosted by the Nashville chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO).
Students
February 17, 2023

Miller wins top prize at EO Nashville’s Global Entrepreneur Competition, advances to nationals
Fisk Jubilee Singers and interim musical director Dr. Anthony Williams.
Community
February 7, 2023

Fisk Jubilee Singers bring gift of song to Lipscomb
More News

Events

Students and the bison in front of the Lipscomb truck.
event
Apr 7 / 9:00 am

Lipscomb Friday - April 7, 2023 - University
Student describing her research at the Student Scholars Symposium
event
Apr 13 / 8:00 am

12th Annual Student Scholars Symposium - March 13, 2023 - University
Student and her mom with the Bison in Bison Square.
event
Apr 20 / 9:00 am

Lipscomb Friday - April 7, 2023 - University
Doctorate of Pharmacy candidates
event
May 6 / 10:30 am

Graduate Commencement - May 6, 2023 - University
More Events

Blog

LJS competes in American Mock Trial Association regional touranment

Students in the Fred D. Gray Institute for Law, Justice and Society participated in the first Mock Trial competition as a program from February 17-19, 2023 hosted by Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Lipscomb University competed with teams across the region from Belmont University and Vanderbilt University to the University...

Mon, 03/06/2023 - 16:54
Posted by Grace Evans

Welcoming Accepted Students during Presidential Scholars Weekend

This past weekend Lipscomb had the opportunity to host students who have shown exceptional academic performances. These prospective students are invited to spend a weekend on campus. During the weekend students and parents meet with faculty, attend informative sessions and attend an event at the Music City Hall of Fame....

Fri, 03/03/2023 - 15:22
Posted by Grace Evans

Unleashing our Healthy Conflict

Do you ever imagine what invention you’d propose if you passed an audition for Shark Tank? A couple of my ideas include a device for managing incompetent drivers by disabling their vehicles and an alarm notifying me that my plants are dying of neglect. Despite the myriad options that flood...

Mon, 02/13/2023 - 13:07
Posted by Grace Evans

More Blog Posts

Undergraduate Programs

Discuss and engage with current issues through the many academic and outreach opportunities offered by our College of Leadership & Public Service. Our programs also feature events and visits from national and international leaders related to the work of the college. This unique, creative engagement approach to undergraduate education will help prepare you for successful leadership, no matter what field you pursue.

Graduate Programs

Lipscomb’s College of Leadership & Public Service offers degree programs that will prepare you for a multitude of impactful, action-oriented careers from day one, including careers in policy, advocacy, elected offices, community engagement, corporate social responsibility and more.