New leadership opportunities available for students

01/05/2007

Student Activities and Leadership Development launched the Inspiring Leaders Certificate Program this past fall, providing CSB/SJU students with yet another opportunity to explore leadership from a values-based perspective. With six hour-long courses for each level of the certificate, students can earn bronze, silver, and gold-level certificates, as well as explore topical issues such as intercultural competency, social justice, information technology, and professional development.

It’s Mission: to prepare students for leadership roles and responsibilities in service to the college and community. The preparation of students for leadership roles and responsibility is grounded in CSB/SJU’s Benedictine values and will serve students well throughout their life. Inspiring Leaders Certificate Program (ILCP) has had an overwhelmingly successful start to its program during the fall semester.

ILCP courses such as Leadership Challenge I and Value-Based Leadership, which provide the students with an opportunity for self-exploration and self-understanding, are grounded in Benedictine values and were included in the 2006 first-year orientation. These courses gave incoming students a taste of how important values and leadership are not only at St. Ben’s and St. John’s, but throughout life as well. First year students were not the only initial participants however, orientation leaders and resident assistants on both campuses participated as well.

As many employees, faculty, and staff will tell you, we truly have a high quality of leadership at CSB/SJU. While many people believe this, the participation in these courses proves this statement. Within the first semester of the program there have been an overwhelming number of student participants. We have had 1140 first-year students, 39 CSB resident assistants, 40 SJU resident assistants, and 432 CSB/SJU upper class students attend ILCP events. Along with the 1651 total participants, 12 students have completed the bronze (first) level of certification. Maribeth Overland, Director of SALD, Student Activities and Leadership Development and initiator of the ILCP program, has been very pleased with quick success of ILCP. Overland shares, “As the number of students registering for ILCP courses continued to grow throughout the first few weeks of the program, it confirmed what we thought to be true; the women and men of CSB/SJU sincerely want to build value based authentic leadership into their vocational path in order to make a difference in our world.  We are so excited to be able to provide the structure for them to pursue their leadership potential.”

A recognition banquet will be held on April 22, 2007 for all ILCP participants who will have completed any level of ILCP certification. Parents are welcome to join in the celebration of our leaders.

For more information about the program, please visit the ILCP Web site  or contact Student Activities and Leadership Development at (320)363-5254.