At Southern Connecticut State University, formal opportunities for leadership development are provided through a developmentally sequenced, co-curricular leadership certificate program grounded in leadership theory. The program supports the holistic development of diverse leaders within our campus community by preparing students with the tools for effective citizenship, personal growth, and professional success.  Our certificate program embraces several models of leadership and relies heavily on an experiential model.

Theoretical Foundations:

The SCSU Leadership Certificate Program draws from a number of leadership theories. Most prevalent are the following:

The Social Change Model of Leadership Development approaches leadership as a purposeful, collaborative, values-based process that results in positive social change. Leaders improve the groups or communities they are part of. In this approach to leadership, a "leader" is anyone who wants to work with others to make a difference.

The Relational Leadership model defines leadership as “a relational process of people together attempting to accomplish change or make a difference to benefit the common good”. The Relational Leadership model includes elements of inclusiveness, empowerment, ethics, purposefulness and process orientation.

Servant Leadership seeks to involve others in decision-making is strongly based in ethical and caring behavior and it enhances the personal growth of workers while improving the caring and quality of organizational life.

The program NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) competencies are a set of essential career readiness skills that prepare students for successful transition into the workforce. These competencies are impeded throughout the Leadership Certificate program. The competenies include:

• Critical Thinking/Problem Solving: The ability to analyze issues, make decisions, and overcome problems.

• Oral/Written Communications: Clearly and effectively exchanging information with others.

• Teamwork/Collaboration: Working effectively within a team, respecting diverse viewpoints.

• Digital Technology: Using digital tools ethically and efficiently.

• Leadership: Leveraging the strengths of others to achieve common goals and guiding, motivating, and organizing a team.

• Professionalism/Work Ethic: Demonstrating responsibility, integrity, and effective work habits.

• Career & Self-Development: Proactively developing oneself and exploring opportunities.

• Equity & Inclusion: Demonstrating the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to equitably engage and include people from diverse cultures.

Overarching Program Goals:

1. Develop Ethical and Inclusive Leaders
   Foster leadership grounded in ethical decision-making, inclusivity, and social responsibility, in alignment with the Social Change Model, Relational Leadership, and Servant Leadership frameworks.

2. Promote Personal and Interpersonal Growth
   Support students in building self-awareness, confidence, and the interpersonal skills necessary for effective collaboration and team leadership amongst people with diverse identities.

3. Cultivate Career-Ready Competencies
   Equip students with the NACE core competencies, including communication, critical thinking, professionalism, and teamwork, to prepare them for success in diverse professional settings.

4. Empower Students to Drive Positive Social Change
   Encourage students to identify community needs, mobilize others, and take action that contributes to meaningful and sustainable social impact.

5. Enhance Civic Engagement and Community Impact
   Inspire a commitment to civic responsibility by engaging students in service and leadership activities that benefit the broader community.

6. Encourage Reflective Leadership Practices
   Promote ongoing reflection and learning to help students understand their leadership identity, values, and areas for continued development.

Program Structure:

The certificate program consists of three primary tiers; Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each tier consists of a series of workshops and requirements, opportunities for engagement and reflective activities.

Students may earn additional color certificates in specific focus areas once they have completed the Silver certificate.

Student testimonials

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“.” - Fall-Spring 2025 participant

Application information

Bronze Leadership

Bronze Leadership is the first tier of the Student Leadership Academy and is open to all students looking to learn more about their personal strengths and leadership styles in order to build a foundation of strong leadership. Emerging Leaders is offered every fall & Spring semester by application. 

Apply

Silver Leadership

Gold Leadership

• Partner Case Study Challenge
• Toastmasters

* Each Leadership Track takes one academic year to complete.  If a student completes all three Leadership Tracks before they graduate, SCSU will pay for their cap & gown for graduation!  If you’ve taken this time to prepare yourself for graduation, we’ll prepare you for graduation day.

Find out more about each Track:

Bronze Leadership

The Bronze Leadership Certificate is a comprehensive, self-paced experience designed for emerging leaders who are eager to develop the foundational skills essential for success in future campus leadership roles, academic pursuits and their professional careers. Students will engage in targeted activities designed to foster growth in five critical competency areas: career and self-development, communication, critical thinking, equity and inclusion and leadership. These core competencies are integral to effective leadership and personal success, providing participants with a robust framework to navigate the challenges of college life and beyond.

Silver Leadership

The Silver Leadership Program consists of a series of 7 workshops that help build the foundation of strong team leadership skills. Programs in this track will address the complexity of leading others and help to develop the skills to take on this responsibility.

Gold Leadership

After completing the Silver Certificate, students can enroll in the Gold Certificate, the third level of the program.  The Gold Leadership Program includes a series of workshops and activities that apply systems thinking and the knowledge gained in the Bronze and Silver programs to facilitate change around real world issues. Through the Gold certificate experience, you will work with a group of your peers to plan and implement a project as an integral part of your leadership development. You are expected to use the skills learned throughout the program to help address a community issue.

SCSU Continued Leadership opportunities

Residential Ambassador

Commuter Assistants

Orientation Leaders

Student Ambassadors

FYE Mentors

Student Government Association (SGA)

Greek Life

Clubs and organizations

Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society

Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, recognizes and encourages superior leadership and exemplary character. O∆K encourages collaboration among members across the five phases celebrated by O∆K: scholarship, athletics, service, communications, and arts. Founded in 1914 at Washington and Lee University, O∆K honors and develops leaders through scholarships, workshops, career opportunities, leadership resources, and a lifelong connection to other members. The SCSU chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa was established in 2017 and students are nominated based on their academic success and co-curricular involvement.

Strengthen your team with a Leadership Workshop

Need helping working together? Want to keep striving to your goals in effective way? Interested in better training your members and executive board? We can help!

Workshops can be designed for individual clubs, organizations, athletic teams, and academic courses to enhance performance and grow the potential of all individuals. Each requested workshop is personalized based on your needs and requests. Please request your workshop at least two weeks in advance. A few topics we cover are below.

Workshops can be designed for individual clubs, organizations, athletic teams, and academic courses. Sample topics include:

• Team Building
• GRIT/Motivation
• Effective Communication
• Professional Etiquette
• Goal Setting
• Conflict Management
• Event Planning
• Self-awareness and values
• Organizational Management
• Membership Recruitment and Retention
• And much more!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start?

What’s the time commitment for the Leadership Tracks?

Each Track takes one academic year to complete.  Because of the different kinds of events & programs that students could choose inside of each track, it’s hard to say the exact time commitment.  But the tracks are built with the assumption that they will take about 30 hours through the academic year to accomplish. That’s all--just 30 hours inside of 10 months.

Wait--I’m a transfer student & I’m only going to be here two years.  Can I participate in the Leadership Academy?

Yes!  Typically, the entire Leadership Academy program takes 3 years to complete.  But for transfer students, there is the option to enroll in both the Bronze & the Silver Certificates at once.  This is done on a case-by-case basis. For more information on getting enrolled in this way, email ______________________________________________________