GCSU’s Leadership Programs are composed of three organizations that teach students how to engage in their community, ultimately to spark change in the world and to serve as leaders for the public good.
The three options for students to join are the Leadership Academy, the Leadership Certificate program and the Georgia Education Mentorship program. Each one is strategically crafted to cater to students, as well as the community.
“In the Leadership Programs, we emphasize two things: How to be an effective leader and thinking about how you can use your leadership to have a positive impact on the world around you,” said Chelsey Brantley, the Assistant Director of the Office of Leadership Programs.
Communities around the world can benefit from programs like these. Students who build this leadership style and foundation into their lives can drive positive change, whether that is through volunteer work or advocacy.
Not only is the community benefitted, but so are the students themselves. These students are equipped with being able to apply their program experiences in career-based circumstances. Key words such as “innovation and creativity” and “leadership experience” are eye-catching to employers, and these terms can be included in their resumes.
“As the Leadership Programs Assistant, I cannot stress enough to students the long-term impact that the Leadership Programs can have, not only on their outlook on life, but also on their future careers and the larger impact they wish to make on the world,” said Anna Cruickshank, an employee and student in the Leadership Programs. “Joining the programs is one of the best first steps you can take in starting your leadership journey, one that helps you grow personally, while pursuing goals that contribute to the greater good.”
Cruickshank’s experiences, both as a student and as an employee, have shown her the true impact this involvement can have. She has seen positive changes in her academic and professional journey since she joined.
“The opportunities I’ve had over the past few years have been unlike any other, allowing me to gain firsthand insight into how programming, event coordination and student engagement operate behind the scenes,” Cruickshank said.
Each program uses some of the same framework. They all have a combination of one-on-one consultations, leadership coaching, small group sessions and a classroom setting. They also integrate hands-on activities to give students the full leadership experience.
Though different strategies are tailored to each, The Leadership Academy is for freshmen and gives them a general foundation of leadership learning, the Leadership Certificate Program dives deeper into the theory behind serving the public good, while the GEM program emphasizes more career development by pairing students with mentors from businesses that are a part of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s just a great opportunity for networking,” said Emily Wright, a junior philosophy and political science major. “You get to build a really strong relationship with someone who is a professional in the field already. It’s also a great opportunity for building leadership skills with your peers.”
The Leadership Programs are continuing to aid community and student success through its efforts. As of now, Dr. Harold Mock, the program director, is beginning to host interest meetings for the Intercultural Leadership Program study abroad trip to Strasbourg, France. This is an opportunity for students to build cross-cultural communication and leadership skills across the globe.
Students outside of the Leadership Programs are still eligible to apply for this trip. For more information, visit GCSU’s website and click on the tab, “Leadership Programs,” and navigate to “Intercultural Leadership in France.”