Programs

Leadership Education and Development (LEAD), a unit of the Dean of Students Office, offers a number of programs and resources for individual students, student organizations, and student communities at Illinois State University. Utilizing various leadership, community, and student-based theories and frameworks, LEAD aims to support, encourage, and challenge students to explore leadership through the lens of their own unique strengths, cultures, relationships, privileges, biases, and everyday experiences. Whether your commitment is a semester-long program, a weekend retreat, a one-day conference, or an afternoon session, LEAD aims to promote continued development of student learners at all levels of leadership capacities and readiness.

Leadership Launch
EMERGE
ELEVATE Leadership Week
Leadership on Demand
Leaders of Social Change

Leadership Launch is a 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 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. The Leadership Launch program is offered throughout the fall and spring semesters. Registration is required in order to participate in the program.

Time Commitment: The Leadership Launch program will require a one-time commitment of approximately three hours.

Program Cost: There is no cost to students for participating in the Leadership Launch program.

Program Delivery: The Leadership Launch program is offered in-person and online.

Participant Qualifications: The Leadership Launch program is open to any first- or second-year student at Illinois State University.

Program Registration: Registration is now open for the fall 2022 semester. Students are encouraged to RSVP for the Leadership Launch program at least one day before the start of the program.

Program Dates: Leadership Launch is offered throughout the fall and spring semesters.

Fall 2022 Leadership Launch Program Dates:

Friday, September 26, 2022; 3 – 6 p.m. (In-person); RSVP on Redbird Life

Friday, October 7, 2022; 3 – 6 p.m. (Online); RSVP on Redbird Life

Friday, November 4, 2022; 3 – 6 p.m. (In-Person); RSVP on Redbird Life

The EMERGE Transfer Student Leadership program is an 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 can expect 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
build dynamic relationships with other transfer students and fellow Redbirds

Time Commitment: The EMERGE program is a six-week leadership experience. Weekly required sessions will require a time commitment of approximately 75 minutes per week. Elective experiences may require an additional time commitment of 1-2 hours per experience.

Program Dates: EMERGE is offered in the spring semester. The spring 2023 program will begin the week of January 30 and end the week of March 6, 2023.

Program Cost: There is no cost to students for participating in EMERGE program.

Program Delivery: Participants can choose to attend required sessions in person or online. Online sessions are held Wednesdays, 5 – 6:15 p.m. via Zoom. In-person sessions are held Thursdays, 3:45 – 5 p.m. in the Bone Student Center (Career Resource Hub).

Participant Qualifications: The EMERGE program is open to any transfer student at Illinois State University. Participants must remain in good academic and disciplinary standing.

Program Registration: Registration for the EMERGE program is now open. The deadline to register for the spring 2023 semester is Friday, January 27, 2023.

In recognition of National Student Leadership Week, students, staff, faculty, and community partners are welcome to join LEAD in celebrating the culture and community of student leadership at ISU during ELEVATE Leadership Week. Details about ELEVATE Leadership Week programs will be announced in spring 2023.

Program Cost: There is no cost to participate in any of the ELEVATE Leadership Week programs.

Program Dates: ELEVATE Leadership Week will take place Monday, April 17 through Friday, April 21, 2023.

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 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 the material consequences of individual, interpersonal, and institutional oppression
identify at least three action steps toward their personal social justice goals.

Time Commitment: The LOSC program is a six-week leadership experience and will require a time commitment of approximately 2 – 4 hours per week.

Program Dates: LOSC is offered in the fall semester. The program will begin the week of October 3 and end the week of November 28, 2022.

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

Program Delivery: Participants can choose to attend weekly required sessions in-person or online. Online sessions are held Wednesdays, 5 – 6:45 p.m. via Zoom. In-person sessions are held Thursdays, 3:30 – 5:15 p.m. in the Multicultural Center.

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

Program Registration: The Leaders of Social Change Registration Form is now open. Participants are encouraged to sign up by Sunday, October 2, 2022.