NEWS
Student Leadership Programs and Initiatives
by Professor Anice O'Connor
J&W offers students opportunities to build and develop their leadership potential through a Foundations of Leadership Studies course which was developed to help students understand the fundamentals of good leadership and to self-assess their leadership skills. In addition, students are encouraged to select two other courses which academically challenge and enhance the knowledge gained through the Foundations course. Leadership opportunities for interested students currently include:
SVL1001 and SVL2001 Students complete a one-term service learning experience at a local nonprofit agency in conjunction with an academic class or internship. With the help of faculty, students reflect on their experiences and relate them to concepts being taught in class.
President's Leadership Council (PLC) The PLC offers students opportunities to develop leadership abilities through University and community-wide activities. Members become ambassadors for the University and service–oriented leaders by engaging in activities and events that enhance leadership potential.
Leadership Mentoring Program Over the course of an academic term, students provide leadership direction and present classroom lessons in communication skills, diversity, conflict resolution, and team building.
Leadership Credentialing This credentialing targets seniors who draw upon previous academic and experiential activities as tangible evidence of their leadership skills. Students develop and maintain portfolios demonstrating their leadership skills in action.
LD1001 (Resident Assistant Leadership Training) This academic course is geared toward helping new resident assistants become better leaders, capable of handling the unique challenges of working within a residence hall.
Student Government Association Student officers visit leadership classrooms and work with Center personnel to help identify relevant ways of engaging more underclassmen in the efforts of the SGA on campus.
Diversity and Leadership in Action: Creating Institutional Change program Co-developed with the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ), this threepart academic program encourages students to develop leadership abilities in order to bring healthy and active institutional change on campus.
Additional Student Leadership Opportunities Leadership
across the campus can be found in many other venues including:
• Leadership Studies Series
• Guest speakers in leadership classrooms
• Leadership Film Series
• Mentorship Program for International Students
