PPC Working with Army Research Institute to Study Leadership in Enlisted Army Personnel

The University of Nebraska Public Policy Center (PPC) has formed a three-year cooperative agreement with the U.S. Army Research Institute (ARI) to identify factors impacting the development of leadership identity in enlisted Army personnel.

Dr. Mario Scalora and Dr. Denise Bulling of the PPC will be working with Dr. L.J. McElravy, associate dean of Graduate Studies and associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication at the University of NebraskaLincoln.

During the initial stages of the project, the team will be conducting a literature review, surveys, and interviews to gather data. During the later phases, they will develop case studies and a training package that ARI and the Department of Defense can use in their existing training programs to help focus on how to develop leaders in enlisted personnel.  

Objectives of the project: 
Identify operationally relevant factors in the development of leadership identity for early career enlisted Army personnel. 


Guiding questions:
• What is the ideal process to promote leadership identity among early career Army personnel?
• How do noncommissioned officers successfully instill esprit-de-corps and Soldier identity with diverse, early career Army personnel?
• What experiences lead to self-identity as a leader for early career Army personnel?
• How do generational and cultural factors impact effectiveness of different leadership styles for Army personnel?
• How do early career enlisted leaders effectively supervise subordinates?  

Learn more about the U.S. Army Research Institute
Learn more about the Agricultural Education Leadership program