Spring 2026
Leadership in Times of Crisis
Dates: January 27, 2026 - May 19, 2026Day/Time: Tuesday; Thursday 10:10 AM - 11:30 AM EST
Level: 200-Level
Certificate: Civic Engagement
Instructor: Zarlasht Sarmast, Bard College
This course is designed for student leaders and students who are learning to lead. this course explores leadership strategies in high-stakes situations. Drawing on real-world experiences, such as the evacuation of Afghan students from Kabul to the US, students will engage with the challenges of decision-making under pressure. This course is open to all, including students across the network who face unique leadership challenges and are striving to build resilient communities in times of crisis.
Leadership in Crisis is a course that leverages the GHEA21 Online Course modality by connecting student leaders and aspiring leaders from different geographies and educational backgrounds. This course created a rich, cross-cultural dialogue, and enabled students to share experiences and strategies from their individual contexts during the summer of 2025. Bringing students together from regions like Afghanistan, Palestine, and other conflict zones is particularly crucial, as they face real-time challenges in crisis leadership. This global perspective enhances the learning experience by encouraging collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving across borders.
Credits: 4 US / 8 ECTS