Louisiana Tech will offer a new class this winter, Introduction to Leadership, to assist students in how to be professional and how to be a character-based leader. Wayne Hogue, who joined Tech this school year, will teach the class. He previously taught at Louisiana State University-Shreveport, where he was named Professor of the Year three times. “It’s common knowledge that people are hired—and fired—because of the kind of person they are much more frequently than because of issues with skills, knowledge, abilities or even degree,” Hogue said.  “Professionalism, character, and leadership ability or potential encompass some of the most critical ‘fit’ traits in the workforce today. That’s what this Introduction to Leadership class is about.” Dr. Les Guice, executive vice president and vice president for research and development, said every Tech student can benefit from this class. “Leadership is a topic that is of importance to all Louisiana Tech students and is one of the skills that is most often cited to be of critical importance by employers,” Guice said. “Wayne has done an excellent job of building an entire suite of courses that we hope to offer broadly to our students in Shreveport and Ruston. Leadership development is something that Louisiana Tech has always done well, but we believe that this program will enhance and expand upon what is already being done.” Guice added that this class could expand as a minor or certificate program in the future. “Wayne has a great passion and deep expertise in this area, and I am confident that he will attract a broad audience of students that otherwise may not get to participate in leadership development,” he said. “We hope there will be curricular and extracurricular activities that support multiple disciplines and certainly see the benefit as offering it as a minor or a certificate program.” The class will be listed as Liberal Arts 289 for students who wish to register. “This will be a good addition to allow students to get a sense of professionalism in the workplace before they graduate,” said Dr. Don Kaczvinsky, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “It will help make them a success.” The Intro to Leadership class will be taught in two locations via video conferenced classrooms: Tech’s Shreveport Center and Wyly Tower.  An additional Leadership Ethics course will be offered this winter at the Barksdale course. “This is the new strategy we’ll be going to more and more in offering classes and programs in Shreveport,” Hogue said. “We really want students in Shreveport as well as Ruston because I have access to some incredible guest speakers over there that can’t make it over to Ruston. That’s one advantage of programs in multiple locations, there are a lot of speakers and potential adjuncts in Shreveport-Bossier City.” Advising and early web registration for the winter quarter begins Monday, Oct. 29.