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ISULeads

The ISULeads Leadership Certificate Program is the newest initiative coordinated by Leadership and Service. ISULeads is comprehensive leadership program offering students a structure for personalizing their college experience to develop as strong leaders and engaged citizens. The program is a campus and community-wide initiative incorporating curricular and co-curricular learning built on three pillars: civic engagement; global perspectives; and leadership. While the program ‘counts’ academic credit based courses as program requirements, students do not receive academic credit for completing any portion of ISULeads.

Based on the interest, need, and time of students, they may participate in one or all pillars throughout their time at Illinois State but they must begin with the Leadership Pillar. To earn the ISULeads Certificate a student must fulfill requirements of all three pillars; however, completion of each pillar is noted and recognized.

At its core ISULeads is designed to help students select involvement opportunities that build on one another to make the most of their involvement and grow in their understanding, practice, and articulation of leadership.

Key Components of ISULeads

• Every student is paired with a mentor who they meet with at least once a month
• Students are placed in small groups with other students in the program. They meet at least once a month to discuss their involvement, leadership, and life.
• For each requirement of the pillars, students complete Learning Logs to reflect on their experiences and document their involvement.

What is required to participate?

The general requirements to participate in ISULeads are:

• Attend ISULeads Orientation
• Attend an introductory session for each Pillar
• Attend monthly small groups meetings
• Complete Learning Logs or Previous Request Forms
• Mentor meetings (about once a month)

Application

Registration open until May 31st to start the program in the fall.

Faculty and staff interested in being a mentor, please email Erin Thomas.

Pillars

Leadership Pillar

As the foundation of ISULeads, the Leadership Pillar is designed to use personal development and leadership training, development, and education to help students assess their leadership style, determine how morals and values help make leadership-based decisions, and develop into the leader they are capable of becoming. In addition, students will be able to name leadership theories and approaches and utilize leadership inventories to determine how they best lead.

Civic Engagement Pillar

Honoring a core value of Educating Illinois, Illinois State University’s Strategic Plan, the Civic Engagement Pillar incorporates principles of citizenship, community service, and leadership. Students also learn how to articulate ways they can address social issues, evaluate how to be a productive volunteer, and what it means to be a conscientious and active citizen, as defined by the Active Citizen Continuum.

Global Perspectives Pillar

The Global Perspective Pillar is designed to prepare students to live in a global economy as well as address the challenges of the 21^st century. As the world becomes more integrated and diverse, it’s critical for college graduates to: understand world issues, culture and language, history, and art as well as how they intersect; evaluate decisions thoroughly and thoughtfully as to not create unintended consequences; and examine personal perspectives and opinions to more fully interact and live with others.

Connect Your Program with ISULeads

Students complete 12 'experiences' for each pillar. Please complete the Intake Forms (Leadership, Civic Engagement, or Global Perspectives) so we can promote your program/opportunity appropriately.

Testimonials

• ISULeads has provided me with many opportunities to work on my leadership skills and reflect on all of the activities I have been involved in. Through working with my mentor, I have been presented with not only more leadership opportunities, but also more opportunities to gain experience in my future career as a math teacher. My mentor also challenged me to complete many small tasks to help me become a stronger leader.” – Mikey McGovern, Math Education Major
• ISULeads helps me further develop my leadership skills; it gives me an opportunity to learn and grow personally and professionally.” – Raven Smith, Broadcast Journalism
• ISULeads offers a unique experience that encourages positive interactions with fellow student leaders from across campus, and allows students to build a network with peers and a mentor who is engaged in their field of interest. This program gives a “real life” experience to ISU students and is a building block for participants that is relevant and instrumental in their growth as both a leader and a professional.” –Aaron Von Qualen, Music

Participant Resources

ISULeads participants and mentors can access Pillar Plans, Learning Logs, Development Worksheets, and other forms on this site.