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.

In addition to the core components, the program offers optional experiences that further enhance the leadership journey. Students will have opportunities to connect with like-minded peers through social events, creating a supportive community that fosters networking and mutual growth. For those interested in exploring specific leadership roles, shadowing experiences are available, allowing participants to gain insights into the responsibilities and challenges of various positions.

Bronze Mandatory Program Components:

• Attend a Bronze Kick Off Meeting

• Complete the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Competencies Self-Assessment

• Attend the 7 Bronze workshops and complete the written Reflections:
• • Workshop 1: Foundations of Personal Leadership (Leadership, Career and Self- Development)
  • Workshop 2: Communication Skills for Leaders (Leadership, Communication)
  • Workshop 3: Values, Ethics, and Morals of Leadership (Leadership, Equity and Inclusion)
  • Workshop 4: Emotional Intelligence and Leadership (Leadership, Critical Thinking)
  • Workshop 5: Identity, Self-Awareness, and Advocacy (Leadership, Equity and Inclusion)
  • Workshop 6: Developing Your Leadership Brand (Leadership, Career and Self-Development)
  • Workshop 7: Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) (Leadership, Critical Thinking)
• Participate in 8 hours of Community Engagement with SCSU student leaders, faculty and/or staff
• Attend 6 additional “Free Choice” leadership workshops
• Complete the Focus 2 Career Inventory and review your results. If you wish you may set up an individual meeting with staff from the Office of Career and Professional Development to review your results or attend one of our Focus 2 Career group meetings to learn more.
• Compete the Final Reflection and uploading updated resume to JOBSs
• Complete a Group Exit Interview with staff from the Office of Student Involvement & Leadership Development

Optional Bronze Program Components:

• Social Events- monthly social (game nights, speed friending, etc.), Bingo, Pumkin Decorating, Escape Room?
• Shadowing Experiences- maybe RA’s, Peer Mentoring?, OFTE, Coaching through CASAS, Presidential Ambassadors,

Upon successful completion of Bronze, students will:

• Be given priority consideration for many leadership positions and opportunities
• Receive a letter of completion of the Bronze Leadership Program to use when applying for positions
• Be Recognized at our annual Student Leadership Banquet
• Receive their Bronze Leadership Pin to wear at graduation
• Receive the Bronze Digital Badge for your resume
• Eligible to participate in the Silver Leadership Program

Bronze Learning Goals:

• Develop Foundational Leadership Knowledge and Skills
  • Understand key leadership theories and styles through personal reflection and structured workshops.
  • Recognize the role of self-awareness, values, and emotional intelligence in effective leadership.
• Demonstrate Core Career Competencies
  • Apply the NACE Career Readiness Competencies in real-world scenarios, with a focus on communication, critical thinking, inclusion, and career development.
• Enhance Self-Awareness and Personal Growth
  • Explore individual values, identity, strengths, and leadership style through reflective practice and career assessments such as Focus 2.
• Communicate Effectively and Inclusively
  • Strengthen verbal and written communication skills through workshop participation and written reflections.
  • Practice inclusive leadership that values diverse identities and perspectives.
• Engage in Ethical and Purposeful Leadership
  • Examine the ethical dimensions of leadership and understand how personal morals and values guide decision-making.
  • Develop a leadership brand rooted in integrity and social responsibility.
• Apply Leadership in Community Contexts
  • Participate in at least 8 hours of community engagement to gain practical leadership experience and contribute to positive change.
• Demonstrate Critical Thinking and Crisis Response Skills
  • Build problem-solving and decision-making skills, especially in emotionally complex or crisis-related situations (e.g., QPR training).
• Reflect on Leadership Growth and Plan for Continued Development
  • Synthesize experiences and insights in a comprehensive final reflection and exit interview.
  • Identify areas for future growth and continued leadership engagement at SCSU and beyond.

Bronze Certificate Program Requirements:

• Open to all SCSU students

Knowledge Base:

• Consciousness of Self, Congruence and Commitment

Bronze Certificate Workshop Descriptions:

Bronze Workshop 1: Foundations of Personal Leadership

Workshop Description: Students will explore foundational principles of leadership, examine characteristics of influential leaders and begin developing their personal definition of leadership.

Bronze Workshop 2: Communication Skills for Leaders

Workshop Description: Having strong communication skills is crucial to personal and professional success. In this workshop students will learn a few simple steps to reduce misunderstandings, increase positive outcomes and become a powerful, effective communicator.

Bronze Workshop 3: Values, Ethics and Morals of Leadership

Workshop Description: This training program is designed to help students recognize ethical issues, resolve ethical dilemmas and create an atmosphere that promotes positive ethical behavior and sustained success throughout their leadership journey.

Bronze Workshop 4: Emotional Intelligence and Leadership

Workshop Description: This workshop will help you develop robust relationships, solve problems using both logic and feelings, maintain an optimistic and positive outlook, cultivate flexibility in stressful situations, help others express their needs, respond to difficult people and situations calmly and thoughtfully and respond to change with grace and optimism.

Bronze Workshop 5: Identity, Self-Awareness and Advocacy

Workshop Description: Through this workshop, participants will gain a better foundational understanding of social identities, what they are, how they are formed, and how social identities interact with systems of oppression in the form of social advantages and disadvantages. We will introduce key concepts and historical context about which groups have accumulated social advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, participants will be able to apply learnings to their personal experiences.

Bronze Workshop 6: Developing Your Leadership Brand

Workshop Description: Vision Statements are not just for big companies. In fact, creating a vision and mission for your personal life is amazingly powerful. This defines what success and excellence look like for you. This is your map (vision) to where you are heading as you march towards the future you and it reflects your personal values, goals, and purpose and how you choose to behave (mission). If you get this right, it should inspire you to be conscious of giving your best and helping you understand why you are doing what you do every day.

Bronze Workshop 7: Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)