Leadership Education and Development

EMERGE @ ISU is a is a six-week program specifically designed for transfer and nontraditional students to make connections to the campus, community, and other transfer students! Each weekly session will explore key leadership models to support student success in and out of the classroom. Sessions are interactive and designed to build practical skills and meaningful peer connections.

Program Information:

EMERGE begins the week of September 28 and runs for six weeks.

• There are three sections of EMERGE available (one online and two in person).
• Participants should expect to commit approximately 75–90 minutes per week.
• There is no cost for students to participate in EMERGE @ ISU.
• EMERGE @ ISU is open to all Illinois State University transfer and nontraditional students in good academic and disciplinary standing.

2026 Program Registration: 

For more information and to register, visit the registration site. Registration closes Thursday, September 24.

The Leaders of Social Change (LOSC) Institute is a social justice leadership experience designed to give students an opportunity to examine the concept of leadership at the intersection of power, oppression, justice, and social change. During this eight-week leadership experience, participants can expect to:

• discover  their top leadership talents as it relates to their leadership identity
• analyze  how their leadership identity can motivate their advocacy, activism, and allyship for social justice
• identify  at least three action steps toward their personal social justice learning goals. 

Time Commitment: The LOSC Institute is an six-week leadership experience and will require a time commitment of approximately 2 - 3 hours per week.

Program Dates:  LOSC is offered in the spring semester.  

Program Delivery: Participants can choose to attend weekly sessions in-person or online.

Program Cost: There is no cost to students for participating in LOSC Institute.

Participant Qualifications: The LOSC Institute is open to any Illinois State University student. Participants must remain in good academic and disciplinary standing.

Each year, the Dean of Students office recognizes Illinois State students for excellence in student leadership and involvement. Additional award information can be found on the Dean of Students Office Scholarships page.

ELEVATE Leadership Week   is a collaborative initiative designed to recognize and celebrate the community of student leadership at Illinois State University. This week will feature a lineup of dynamic guest speakers, each representing the rich mosaic that makes up our vibrant campus community. 

The Leadership & Success Seminar is a course-based module designed to give first- and second-year students an opportunity to launch their leadership journey at Illinois State in an innovative and exciting way. During this experience, participants can expect to discover their top-five leadership strengths, learn about campus leadership engagement opportunities, and build relationships with fellow Redbirds and peer leaders.