Discover Leadership and Communication in the Heart of Florence
This unique program blends online pre- and post-coursework with an immersive residency at Gonzaga’s Florence campus.
Explore the rich cultural heritage of Italy while advancing your graduate studies in leadership and communication, all within a schedule that fits your busy life.
Learn from the Renaissance, Lead Today
In the Leadership course, you’ll uncover how 15th-century Florence became a crucible for creativity and innovation.
Examine how influential leaders navigated conflict and wielded power to shape art, architecture and commerce during the Renaissance, and discover how these timeless strategies apply to modern organizations.
Each day combines classroom learning with cultural excursions, such as museum visits, offering a dynamic and inspiring environment.
Master the Art of Communication in Italy
The Communication and Leadership course immerses you in the rhetoric and humanistic philosophy that defined Renaissance thought.
Through topics like travel writing and Renaissance rhetoric, you’ll explore how persuasive communication shaped politics, religion and art and how these principles can elevate your leadership today.
With afternoons spent touring Florence’s historic treasures and evenings free to explore, this program offers both academic rigor and unforgettable cultural experiences.
Explore your Italy Options
Course Details:
Dates:
- November 2 - November 9, 2026
Estimated Costs:
- Tuition - 3 credits: $3,300*
- Study Abroad Fee: $1,350*
Includes:
- Museum entry fees
- Some group meals and excursions
- Insurance
Not included:
- Airfare
- Accommodations in Florence
- Most meals
- Textbooks
- Personal expenses
Curriculum
The course is hybrid with online components.
ORGL 510 - Renaissance Leadership for the 21st Century - 3 credits
Instructor: Dũng Q. Trần, PhD.
This course provides an examination of Renaissance leadership as it applies to contemporary organizations. Course study is designed for an interdisciplinary group of students to explore the power of Renaissance thinking as it applies to renewal, rediscovery, invention and creativity. This course will help emerging leaders develop new perspectives and strategies to bring health, creativity and energy to their organizations. Learners will draw upon the creative processes of artists - painters, architects, musicians and writers - and apply the same dynamics of creative thinking to the practical work of leaders in today’s organizations. Special emphasis will be given to the artists of the Italian Renaissance, especially as developed in the city of Florence.
Course Objectives:
- Explain the dynamics involved in the creative process, especially as illustrated by the Italian Renaissance
- Apply these dynamics to leadership in contemporary organizations
- Draw upon an inter-disciplinary network of colleagues to process an integrative approach to the art of leadership
This course can serve as an elective for the Global Leadership Concentration or Servant Leadership Concentration.
*Tuition and program fees are an estimate and subject to change.
Course Details:
Dates
- May 18 - 30, 2026
Estimated Costs:
- School of Leadership Studies Tuition - 3 credits: Est. $3,195*
- School of Leadership Studies Tuition - 6 credits: Est. $6,390*
- MBA Tuition - 2 credits: Ext. $2,490*
- MBA Program Fee - $840*
Includes:
- Museum entry fees
- Some group meals and excursions
- Insurance
Not included:
- Airfare
- Most meals
- Textbooks
- Personal expenses
Curriculum
The courses are hybrid with online components beginning at the start of summer session. When you return home, you will continue to complete coursework.
COML 513: Travel Writing in Florence | COML & ORGL Students Only
Instructor: Tracey Hayes, Ph.D.
Italy has been a popular city for travel and the city of Florence, in particular, due to the rich cultural and historical artifacts created during the Renaissance period through the patronage of the Medici Family. This course provides an examination of the art, architecture, food, culture, and history that have shaped Florence and attracted artists, writers, poets, and architects throughout the centuries. The course is designed as interdisciplinary allowing students to find their voice and interests through museum tours, church visits, meals, and city/market walks. Students will also learn to understand the problems and current issues travel brings to countries through unsustainable tourism and how to ethically and responsibly travel while expanding their knowledge and understanding of different cultures
COML 522: Renaissance Rhetoric - 3 Credits
Instructor: Tracey Hayes, Ph.D.
This course examines written, verbal and visual rhetoric to understand the humanistic movement of the Italian Renaissance and the role it continues to play in contemporary society. Through readings, discussions, and on-site visits to historical settings in Florence, we will formulate and explore the critical questions necessary to understand these ideas and their application to today. This course will be offered every summer.
*Tuition and program fees are an estimate and subject to change.
You must be a current student (active in class) to apply to Study Abroad programs.
Current Student Application Information
Questions?
Contact:
Heather Schmitt
Call or Text: (509) 313-6240
Email: schmitth@gonzaga.edu
Schedule an Appointment