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Leadership @ SCSU

Student Leadership Development

At Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), we believe that anyone can be a leader, regardless of their position or title. Leadership is a dynamic process through which individuals and groups work collaboratively toward positive change, and it can be demonstrated in many different ways. To be an effective leader, individuals must first understand themselves and act in a way that is consistent with their core values.

SCSU offers a variety of opportunities for students to explore, develop, and strengthen their leadership potential. Our leadership philosophy is grounded in the belief that:

  • Leadership is a process of working toward positive change with others.

  • Self-awareness and values-based action are essential for effective leadership.

  • Leadership is accessible to everyone, regardless of position, role, or background.

  • Leadership is expressed in diverse ways, depending on individual strengths and situational needs.

All leadership opportunities at SCSU are rooted in our core leadership competencies, providing students with the essential skills needed to thrive as student leaders today and as successful professionals after graduation.

Student Leadership Academy

Become a better leader through our Bronze, Silver and Gold Leadership program tracks: The Student Leadership Academy (SLA) was created in Spring 2024 as a leadership development certificate program aimed to assist students in increasing both personal and professional success. SLA allows Southern Connecticut State University students of all levels to develop self-awareness, learn strategies to improve leadership skills, and directly apply employability competencies to their leadership work. Through retreats, interactive workshops, activities, and special projects students will build on the NACE 8 competency areas including Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Equity & Inclusion, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork, Technology.

Student testimonials

“” - Spring 2024 participant

“.” - Fall-Spring 2025 participant

Application information

Bronze Leadership

Bronze Leadership is the first tier of the Student Leadership Academy and is open to all students looking to learn more about their personal strengths and leadership styles in order to build a foundation of strong leadership. Emerging Leaders is offered every fall & Spring semester by application. 

Apply

Silver Leadership

 

Gold Leadership

  • Partner Case Study Challenge
  • Toastmasters

Leadership Certificates

At SCSU, students have the opportunity to earn Micro-credentials in Leadership .  The Certificates follow the Social Change Model of Leadership in order to allow students to explore different aspects of leadership development through their college experience.

The Leadership Micro-credentials are always:

  • Co-Curricular:  The Certificates are not for-credit classes, but the material covered in leadership experiences will give students tools to be successful inside and outside of the classroom. 
     
  • Universally Accessible:  The Leadership Micro-credentials is offered equally to every student at SCSU.  We are open to students of any class status, part-time students, full-time students, transfer students, students of any major.  The Leadership Micro-credentials are always free for students.
  • Competency-Based: Every single student has the capacity for leadership--there is no such thing as a “natural-born leader”.  The Leadership Micro-credentials allow students to hone in & improve specific areas of leadership, rather than focusing on obtaining a position of authority.

Each Leadership Track takes one academic year to complete.  If a student completes all three Leadership Tracks before they graduate, SCSU will pay for their cap & gown for graduation!  If you’ve taken this time to prepare yourself for graduation, we’ll prepare you for graduation day.

Find out more about each Track:

Bronze Leadership

All students start at the Bronze Certificate.  The Bronze focuses on Individual Values of Leadership.  Leaders must first understand how they themselves grow and thrive before they want to help others do the same.  As part of the Bronze Certificate, students will be challenged to find a mentor on campus & branch out into different aspects of campus involvement.

Silver Leadership

Students who complete the Bronze Certificate can move on to the Silver Certificate.  The Silver moves from Individual Values to Group Values of Leadership. Team dynamics are at the heart of the Silver Certificate.  Teamwork, collaboration, and civil disagreement are all necessary parts to the success of any group. After completing the Silver Certificate, you might find that group projects & papers are more enjoyable!

Gold Leadership

After completing the Silver Certificate, students can enroll in the Gold Certificate, the third level of the program.  The Gold Certificate focuses on _______________________________________________________________.  In addition to being connected to themselves and their teams, leaders are connected to their communities.  Leaders improve the communities around them. This track will challenge students to think of leadership in a larger context & prepare for possible career paths after college.  

SCSU Leadership opportunities

Student Ambassadors

Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society

Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, recognizes and encourages superior leadership and exemplary character. O∆K encourages collaboration among members across the five phases celebrated by O∆K: scholarship, athletics, service, communications, and arts. Founded in 1914 at Washington and Lee University, O∆K honors and develops leaders through scholarships, workshops, career opportunities, leadership resources, and a lifelong connection to other members. The SCSU chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa was established in 2017 and students are nominated based on their academic success and co-curricular involvement.

Strengthen your team with a Leadership Workshop

Need helping working together? Want to keep striving to your goals in effective way? Interested in better training your members and executive board? We can help!

Workshops can be designed for individual clubs, organizations, athletic teams, and academic courses to enhance performance and grow the potential of all individuals. Each requested workshop is personalized based on your needs and requests. Please request your workshop at least two weeks in advance. A few topics we cover are below.

Workshops can be designed for individual clubs, organizations, athletic teams, and academic courses. Sample topics include:

  • Team Building
  • GRIT/Motivation
  • Effective Communication
  • Professional Etiquette
  • Goal Setting
  • Conflict Management
  • Event Planning
  • Self-awareness and values
  • Organizational Management
  • Membership Recruitment and Retention
  • And much more!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start?

 

What’s the time commitment for the Leadership Tracks?

Each Track takes one academic year to complete.  Because of the different kinds of events & programs that students could choose inside of each track, it’s hard to say the exact time commitment.  But the tracks are built with the assumption that they will take about 30 hours through the academic year to accomplish. That’s all--just 30 hours inside of 10 months.

 

Wait--I’m a transfer student & I’m only going to be here two years.  Can I participate in the Leadership Academy?

Yes!  Typically, the entire Leadership Academy program takes 3 years to complete.  But for transfer students, there is the option to enroll in both the Bronze & the Silver Certificates at once.  This is done on a case-by-case basis. For more information on getting enrolled in this way, email ______________________________________________________