UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has launched its first-ever Leadership Institute for students, an innovative leadership retreat designed for undergraduate students at University Park to build meaningful connections with their peers.
This six-day leadership development experience fosters a collaborative and engaging environment for students to grow as individuals as they develop leadership skills for positive social change. The Penn State Leadership Institute will take place May 7-12 at Camp Blue Diamond, an off-campus retreat center.
All undergraduate students who are returning to campus for Fall 2018 are invited to apply today. Thanks to support from the Student Initiated Fee, the cost to participants is $100 to participate in the week-long program, which includes meals, transportation and lodging.
To learn more and apply, visit our website. Applications are due Sunday, March 25.
The foundation for the curriculum of the institute is pulled from both "The Social Change Model" (Skendall, Ostick, Komives, Wagner & Associates) and "Emotional Intelligence 2.0" (Bradberry & Greaves) and approaches leadership with the following assumptions:
- Leadership is a process, not a position.
- Leadership is values-based.
- Leadership is inclusive and accessible to all people.
- Leadership is socially responsible; it impacts change on behalf of others.
- Leadership is collaborative.
- Community Involvement/service is a powerful vehicle for leadership.
The Leadership Institute is a function of the Student Activities office, and the development has been a cross-campus collaboration. Contributors to the curriculum, as well as facilitators for the 2018 Institute, include:
- Ben Henderson, associate teaching professor of communication arts and sciences
- Borja Gutiérrez, assistant teaching professor of Spanish
- Darcy Rameker, director of Student Activities
- Francesgladys Pulido, undergraduate student
- Heather Veale, graduate assistant for service and leadership, Student Activities
- Ioanna Georgoulakis, undergraduate student
- Kelli Dowd, coordinator for service and leadership, Student Activities
- Matt Barone, assistant director for service and leadership, Student Activities
- Mildred Williams, program coordinator of the Paul Robeson Cultural Center
- Rachel Shriver, undergraduate student
- Sonya Wilmouth, assistant director of the LGBTQA Student Resource Center