From Acorn to Oak Tree: The challenges and rewards of expanding a successful leadership program

1. From Acorn to Oak Tree:The challenges and rewards of expanding a successful leadership program Wendy Norman, Student Life Educator, Student Development & Programming, Simon Fraser University

2. Program Background & Structure

3. Started in 2004; co-curricular program designed for experienced student leaders Cohort of 50 students (from all faculties) Focus on self-assessment, skill development and skill application via experiential project work Formal certificate, signed by University President Background

4. Structure • Early September: Recruitment (competitive application) • Early October: Retreat (self-assessment) • October - March: Workshop series (skill development) • January - March: Group projects (skill application) • October - March: On-line discussion forum • April: End of year banquet/ ceremony

5. Why Expand? • Program working well, but “in a vacuum” • Budgetary constraints  need to make program more visible • Student articulated desire for on-going membership and opportunity • Need to create opportunities for students at early stages of leadership development

6. Challenges

7. How do we distinguish between leadership, involvement and job training? • How do we measure learning and ensure program is not a simple ‘checklist’ of requirements? • How do we move the program from “extra curricular” to integral? • How do we engage students from all faculties?

8. How to Overcome Challenges? • Frame program with larger institutional vision • Work collaboratively with other units • Ability to offer leadership training for students at different stages of their development • Share workload; join forces on recruitment and training • Start small • Consider continuum of student development • Connect to academic experience

9. Integrating Program Into Larger Institutional Vision • Creation of X functional team • Creation of basic leadership skills workshops, detached from formal program • Support from upper level administration • Re-wording vision statement to align with SS strategic plan • Introduction of leadership opportunities month • Building partnerships with faculties

10. Student Input

11. Student Input • Is there interest? • Role of senior students  greater responsibility (not just participating in, but also delivering program) • Student driven changes • Addition of 2nd year ‘senior’ cohort • 1.5 day leadership retreat • Increase incoming cohort to 60 • Build mentoring opportunities • Addition of social events

12. Connect to Academic Experience • Mandatory components • Consequences for missed requirements, tardiness, ‘unleaderly’ behaviour • Creation of portfolios (demonstrated growth) • Project sponsor evaluations and feedback • Recognition of outstanding leadership/ growth

13. Questions • Where is leadership training occurring on your campus? • Why do you want to expand your program? • Whose support do you need to sustain the program? • What challenges do you face?

14. Contact Wendy Norman Student Life Educator, Student Development and Programming Simon Fraser University Phone: 778-782-7034 Email: wendy_norman@sfu.ca LEAD Program: www.sfu.ca/studentlife/leadership