The Rising Leaders Program is designed to engage Honors students from all academic majors in an experiential leadership development program. Rising juniors and seniors (third and fourth year) students are eligible to apply.
Selected students participate in two consecutive semesters of programs and activities that are planned around themes of leadership. The fall semester theme is Understanding Self and Leadership Virtues while the spring semester is focused on Understanding Others and Managing Teams.
The program allows students to earn a total of two academic credits over the fall and spring semester. The sessions should be viewed as a course, although very experiential in nature with minimal outside work. Students must be able to participate in sessions that meet every other Tuesday, starting September 9, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and continue through the spring semester (except during academic holidays). In addition to these sessions, participants will be paired with an alumni mentor for monthly chats, attend an overnight weekend retreat in the fall (Nov. 1-2) and a weekend conference in the spring.
Program Activities & Topics Typically Include:
- Program Kick-Off Reception
- Alumni Mentoring
- Leadership Assessment (DISC)
- Non-verbal Communication
- Emotional Intelligence
- Resilience
- Cultural Differences in Leadership
- Public Speaking and Executive Presence
- Listening Skills
- Civil Discourse
- Conflict Management
- Service Learning