Programs

Leadership Launch is a half-day leadership jumpstart experience 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 half-day leadership experience, participants can expect to discover their top leadership strengths, learn about campus leadership engagement opportunities, and build relationships with fellow first-year Redbirds and peer leaders. 

Dates: There are multiple opportunities for students to participate in the Leadership Launch program, including during Welcome Week and throughout the fall and spring semesters. The Leadership Launch program will be offered each weekday of Welcome Week, beginning on Monday, August 9, through Friday, August 13. The Leadership Launch program dates for the fall 2021 and spring 2022 semesters will be announced at a later date.  

Time Commitment: The Welcome Week Leadership Launch program will require a time commitment of approximately five hours from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (Lunch will be provided during the program.)

Cost: There is no cost to students to participate.

Registration: Early registration is now open until August 1. Students who register by this date will receive a complimentary T-shirt. On-site registration will also be available during Welcome Week. A maximum capacity of 50 participants will be able to register per day for the Welcome Week Leadership Launch program.

Registration to participate in a Leadership Launch program session during fall 2021 will open on August 16.

The EMERGE Transfer Student Leadership program is an eight-week experience designed to give transfer students a great way to connect to the ISU campus community and enhance their leadership skills in a refreshing and innovative way. During this experience, participants will have the opportunity to gain a concrete understanding of their unique leadership style and talents, discover the rich history of the Bloomington-Normal community, earn up to five community service hours, and build lasting friendships on their new journey as a Redbird.

Time Commitment
The EMERGE program begins the week of January 31 and ends the week of March 28, 2022, and includes required learning sessions and optional elective experiences. Elective Experiences are designed to help EMERGE participants build intentional connections to the ISU campus community and beyond. The program requires a total time commitment of approximately 1-3 hours each week. Participants can choose to attend weekly sessions in-person or online via Zoom. In-person sessions are held Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m. Zoom sessions are held Thursdays, 5-6 p.m. 

Students interested in participating in EMERGE can submit the EMERGE Sign-Up Form by Friday, January 21, 2022. For more details about the EMERGE program curriculum and objectives, visit EMERGE Transfer Leadership Program on Redbird Life. 

ELEVATE Leadership Week is a leadership experience designed to cultivate community and create capacity for social action at Illinois State University. During this two-day experience, students and campus/community partners are first invited to a leadership dinner to celebrate and formally recognize the contributions of our leadership program participants and the impact of the Illinois State campus leadership community. On day two, students and campus/community partners are invited to participate in a leadership coalition session. During this session, participants will be able to identify campus initiatives of interest, as well as create community-centered goals and actions plans to be implemented within the next academic year.

Participant Qualifications: The program is open to any Illinois State University student, staff, or faculty member, with priority registration reserved for Dean of Students Office leadership program participants and campus/community partners.

Dates: The program will take place Wednesday, April 14, 2021, and Thursday, April 15, 2021.

Time Commitment: This is a two-day leadership experience. Participation will require a time commitment of approximately three hours each day.

Program Cost: There is no cost to participate.

Program Registration: Registration will open Monday, February 1, 2021.

The Leadership Workshop series is currently under development. More information regarding the series will be posted when available.

The Leaders of Social Change (LOSC) program is a six-week 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 experience, participants will engage in various critical reflection learning sessions that center specific social justice issues and topics. Historically, LOSC has included a week-long immersion trip that explores social justice leaders and initiatives from various US cities. The Spring 2022 LOSC program will explore the impact of creative art as a vehicle for social justice. 

Time Commitment: The LOSC program begins the week of February 14 and ends the week of March 28, 2022 and requires a total time commitment of approximately 2-3 hours each week. During the program, participants can choose to attend weekly required sessions in-person or online via Zoom. Online sessions are held Tuesdays, 5-6:15 p.m. In-person sessions are held Thursdays, 12:30-1:45 p.m. Optional elective experiences are also offered to meet and/or engage with the works of local, regional, and national leaders of social change.

Students interested in participating in LOSC are encouraged to complete the  LOSC Sign-Up Form by Saturday, February 5, 2022.