Scholarship
Recent Publications
Check out my newest publication in the Journal of Leadership Education!
Current Projects
Presentations
International
International Leadership Association, Graduate Student Case Competition (November 2020) worked with a team of Ph.D. students at Alvernia University to write a competitive case executive summary and produce a video presentation/virtual poster. The purpose of the competition was to demonstrate an understanding of the United Nations’ sustainable development goal to make education equitable and inclusive in light of COVID-19 and the digital divide, show mastery of underlying leadership issues, and develop strategic recommendations for addressing key issues.
International Leadership Association’s Philosophy, Religion, and Worldviews Conference, Research Presenter (March 2020) accepted to present at a conference focused on leadership and identity; paper entailed “Leadership Education, Spirituality, and Personhood” | Conference canceled due to COVID-19 precautions
International Leadership Association, Poster Presenter (October 2019) presented “Parker Palmer, Thomas Merton, and Courageous Authenticity” at the international leadership association’s annual conference
Association of Leadership Educators, Innovative Practice Paper Presenter (July 2019) presented “Leadership and the Good Life,” with Dr. Matthew Pierlott (West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Chairperson of Philosophy) about HON 382 seminar
Association of Leadership Educators, Roundtable Presenter (July 2019) presented “The Intersection of Leadership Studies and Family Communication Theory: Implications for Undergraduate Pedagogy” at the national conference
National
American Philosophical Association Eastern Division, Faculty Poster Presenter (January 2020) Presented a poster entitled “Visions of the Good Life: Leadership Anthology Project” alongside Dr. Matthew Pierlott, Chair of the Philosophy Department at West Chester University
National Collegiate Honors Council Annual Conference, Faculty Poster Presenter (November 2019) presented a poster entitled “Self-Awareness and Development: Identity, Authenticity, and Vocation through the Writings of Parker Palmer”
National Collegiate Honors Council Annual Conference, Faculty Poster Presenter (November 2018) accepted along with Dr. Matthew Pierlott (Chairperson of Philosophy Department at West Chester University) to present a poster about pedagogical practices implemented in HON 382: Leadership and the Good Life
Regional
Mid-Atlantic Leadership Studies Conference, Research Presenter (April 2020) accepted to present a paper entitled “Leadership Education and Spirituality: A Continuing Conversation” | Conference canceled due to COVID-19 precautions
Mid-Atlantic Leadership Studies Conference, Research Presenter (April 2020) accepted to present a paper with undergraduate student Jocelyn Brown entitled “Leadership Theory in ‘The Terror’” | Conference canceled due to COVID-19 precautions
High School Theology Program Think Tank, Juried Roundtable Panelist (May 2015) Princeton Theological Seminary, Institute of Youth Ministry
Eastern Communication Association 2015 Conference, Juried Paper Presenter (April 2015) Family Systems Theory: Evolution, Practical Application, and Limitations, with Dr. Elizabeth Munz, Ph.D.
State/local
Red Lion Area Student Leadership Training, Guest Speaker (July 2020) invited to offer a presentation entitled “Leading with Integrity” at an annual training for student leaders at Red Lion Area Senior High School in Red Lion, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Leadership Studies Conference (2nd Annual), Paper Presenter (April 2019) presented “Teaching Courage and the Courage to Teach: Parker Palmer, Higher Education, and Leadership Pedagogy”
Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Interdisciplinary Conference, Presenter (April 2018) chaired presentation panel, “Rereading Douglass: Pathways to Freedom and Wisdom”; presented paper entitled “Addressing Political and Social Division in Higher Education, the Complications of Religion and Freedom, and the Wisdom of Frederick Douglass and Parker Palmer”
Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils, Presenter & Roundtable Panelist (November 2017) invite and presented to speak on leadership pedagogy and leadership involvement of collegiate emergent adults
Publications
July 2019: Wooten, Zachary C., and Pierlott, Matthew. Leadership and the Good Life, Association of Leadership Educators Annual Proceedings online publication. (July 2019)
Wooten, Zachary C. The Intersection of Leadership Studies and Family Communication Theory: Implications for Undergraduate Pedagogy, Association of Leadership Educators Annual Proceedings online publication. (July 2018)
Research & Other Scholarly Activities
West Chester University, Leadership Education Course Pack Project (Summer 2020) worked with three graduating seniors to begin developing a course pack for introductory leadership theory courses, meeting weekly, and training students in developing pedagogical resources for leadership education
West Chester University, Research Scholars Program (Spring 2020 and Spring 2021)
created a Leadership Studies undergraduate research lab as part of the Research Scholars Program, an imitative of the Honors College and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs seeking to promote scholarship through student-faculty research collaborations, particularly ones of an interdisciplinary nature. This project encourages sophomores and juniors to commit to participating in 30 hours of research over the Spring 2020 semester
Alvernia University, O’Pake Institute of Ethics, Leadership & Public Service (January 2019-December 2019) served as a graduate research assistant for project topics including student retention, educational foundations, best practices in creating organizational culture, best practices in developmental education, and “Executive-in-Residence” programs within higher education institutions, provided research contributions to earn Alvernia a Title III grant, a highly competitive grant that strengthens higher education institutions
Princeton Theological Seminary, Master’s Thesis (September 2016 - May 2017) Leadership, Community, and Young Adults
Current Affiliations
Association for Leadership Educators,
-Coordinator of ‘Students’ Focus Area Network (December 2020 – present)
- Conference Planning Team (September 2020 - present)
- Presentation Reviewer (July 2021)
American Academy of Religion, Member
American Philosophy Association, Member
International Leadership Association, Member
National Collegiate Honors Council, Member