About GEL

The Gordon-MIT Engineering Leadership Program (GEL) bridges the gap between classroom learning and engineering practice to develop tomorrow’s engineering leaders.

MIT does an excellent job of helping students develop the technical knowledge and skills to solve complex and challenging problems. However, it takes more than technical knowledge to bring great ideas to fruition and make the most of a career in engineering.

The GEL program complements the world-class technical education you get at MIT with the values, attitudes, and skills you need to address real engineering problems and shape the world.

In GEL Year One (GEL1), students are exposed to the fundamentals of leadership theory in an engineering context. GEL1 students actively practice as members of and leaders of teams. They engage in carefully crafted team experiential learning activities to develop their leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. With feedback and reflection experiences, GEL1s gain valuable engineering leadership capabilities.

Students who continue in GEL Year Two (GEL2) take on added responsibilities and further develop as engineering leaders. They actively lead the GEL2 program – coaching teams, providing feedback to GEL1 students, engaging with industry guests. GEL2 students collaborate with instructional staff to plan and deliver weekly experiential Engineering Leadership Labs. GEL2s receive personalized coaching for a more focused leadership experience.

GEL’s foundational white paper, the Capabilities of Effective Engineering Leaders, is the guiding document upon which the GEL curriculum is built. The Capabilities document is based on significant input from leaders in engineering industry, academia, and government.