Leadership Education and Development

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 eight-week leadership experience and will require a time commitment of approximately 2 - 3 hours per week.

Program Dates:  LOSC is offered in the fall 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.

Program Registration: Registration is open through September 27.

Each year, the Dean of Students office recognizes Illinois State students for excellence in student leadership and involvement. Award nominees must be currently enrolled undergraduate students in good academic and disciplinary standing. The Student Leadership Awards and Scholarship form is now open. Nominations are for the 2023-2024 academic year are open until February 9, 2024. 

Ritamae Carroll Memorial First-Year Involvement Award

This award recognizes a student (freshman or transfer) who, in their first year at Illinois State University, has become an active member of the campus community while maintaining good academic standing. The recipient of this endowed award receives a recognition plaque and a monetary award.

Mike Schermer Outstanding Student Leader Award

This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the Illinois State University community. This student exemplifies leadership and excellence through their service and dedication to the student body, demonstrated through a willingness and ability to work with others in an effort to better the quality of student life for all. The individual shows the ability to achieve and excel and seeks to improve and make changes not only for oneself but for the benefit of peers. The student accepts challenges and, in turn, challenges others. This individual's achievements are not measured solely by successes but also through failures where the student has shown growth. This outstanding student leader is an asset not only to organizations or departments but to the University as a whole. The recipient of this endowed award receives a recognition plaque and a monetary award.

Billy Quigley Leader in Action Award

William “Billy” Quigley Jr. was a dedicated student leader at Illinois State University at the time of his death on November 26, 2008, as a result of an automobile accident. This award honors student leaders at Illinois State in honor of Billy’s enthusiasm, dedication, and pride. The student should demonstrate the ability to support and motivate fellow students to take specific actions causing personal and/or group growth and development. This student should have a history of guiding fellow students through individual mentoring and supportive behavior and should demonstrate a passion for creating targeted social change at Illinois State University. The recipient of this endowed award receives a recognition plaque and a monetary award.

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

The 2024 ELEVATE Leadership Week Information Form is now available. 

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 begins the week of January 27, 2025 and ends the week of March 3, 2025.

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

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: For more information and to participate in EMERGE, complete the registration form by January 24, 2025.

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. 

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

The most powerful connections often begin over a conversation and a great brewed beverage. Join Leadership Education and Development, a unit of the Dean of Students Office, during this weekly come-and-go program with complementary brewed beverages, snacks, and conversation about leadership, current events, cultural storytelling, and more. Tea and snacks are first come, first served.

Dates: Every fourth Tuesday of the month from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

Location: Student Involvement Center, 227 Bone Students Center