About the institute

Linda '64 and Dr. Harry '65 Serene, both PennWest California graduates, founded the Linda and Harry Serene Leadership Institute for the purpose of giving back to the University and, most importantly, the local community. 

Since 2009, the institute has sponsored a speaker series, scholarships, workshops and leadership conferences. In the future, the institute anticipates offering organizational management workshops and professional training seminars. 

The Institute's Mission

To create and maintain a comprehensive leadership development program that will integrate academic and experiential learning through study, workshops and empowerment that will manifest through participatory leadership. A focus shall include, but not be limited to, women, minorities and international students.

Our Guiding Principles

These principles guide the institute's work: 

  • To create an advocacy program for leadership that includes opportunities to study social and cultural changes for which leadership is a solution.
  • To create a programming area that will facilitate the role of women in leadership.
  • To seek grants that will help to sustain the leadership program as well as to potentially fund scholarship and leadership.

Self Managed Learning 

Students learn through experience and problem solving. Knowledge is retained when it has practical value. PennWest California's minor in leadership reflects the mission of the Linda and Harry Serene Leadership Institute.

Advisory Board

  • Dr. Harry and Linda Serene
  • Dr. Beverly Ross
  • Dr. Marta McClintock
  • Melissa Dunn

Contact Us

Dr. Beverly Ross
Associate Professor
Criminal Justice, History and Politics
ross@pennwest.edu
724-938-4423