Education
Dr. Michael Gleason holds a Ph.D. in education with an emphasis in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Iowa State University. He also holds a master’s degree in Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs, and a bachelor’s degree in Economics: Business Analysis, both from the University of Northern Iowa.
Professional Experience
Michael serves as Associate Dean for Graduate Studies at Wartburg College and is Professor of Leadership. He holds the Irving R. Burling Distinguished Professor of Leadership and directs the Institute for Leadership Education. Prior to his current work at Wartburg College, he directed the Leadership Institute at Washburn University in Topeka, KS. His career spans higher education leadership, teaching, and program development, including faculty and administrative roles and long-standing involvement with the Wartburg College Institute for Leadership Education.
Wartburg College
- ID315: Leadership Theories and Practices (including projects with RFI, CERT, ISP, Nicaragua study away)
- IS101: Asking Questions, Making Choices
- LDR100: Leadership in a Complex World
- LS101: Learning Strategies
- LS115: Exploring Elements of Leadership
- LS315: Youth Leadership Mentoring Seminar
- LS405: Leadership Certificate Summary Seminar
- LDR500/505: Leadership of Mind, Body, Spirit
- LDR520/530: Leadership History and Theory
Washburn University
- LE100/HN201: Exploring the Concept of Leadership
- LE300: Leadership Skills Development
- LE301: Leadership Skills Integration Course
- LE399: Leadership through the SOC Experience/Peer Mentor Experience
- LE400: Leadership Internship
- LE401: Leadership Intern Integration
- LE601: Self and Systems Leadership
- LE640: Public Policy and Global Leadership
- LE698: Capstone
Research/Scholarship Interests
Community engagement in leadership education
Landscape of graduate leadership education
Intersections of complexity science with leadership educator work
Administrative capacities of leadership educators.
Beyond the Classroom
Michael enjoys spending time with his family, running, and listening to podcasts. He also enjoys traveling and lived abroad during several summers in college and graduate school, including time in Spain, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Taiwan.
He has served on the Waverly-Shell Rock Area United Way Board of Directors and currently serves on the Association of Leadership Educators Board of Directors.
His favorite book is Give and Take by Adam Grant. His favorite quote, “the larger the island of knowledge, the longer the coastline of questions” reminds him that often the more we know, the more we realize we don’t know.
What He Enjoys Most About Working with Graduate Students
Michael most enjoys watching professionals from diverse backgrounds learn together and build relationships that deepen learning and amplify impact.
