Student Life & Services

Student Leadership Academy

Student Leadership Academy is designed to help you develop valuable skills your future employers are looking for: communication, motivation, goal setting and presentation skills. If you're looking to build your resume, meet new people and show that you have more than just a good grade point average, then Student Leadership Academy is for you. No previous leadership experience is necessary.

What You Gain

Free - no cost to participants.
Participate in seven or more sessions and receive a Certificate of Leadership.
Certificate earners will also receive a $25 Kent State Stark Bookstore certificate.
Enjoy lunch during the Wednesday noon sessions.
Certificate earners will enjoy a wrap-up Dinner with the Dean.

Earn a Certificate of Leadership

Not able to make all seven sessions in one semester? You can earn a Certificate of Leadership over two semesters. Take sessions in the fall and spring and as long as you total seven, you can still earn a certificate. This extended program is available for Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 sessions only.

Dinners with the Dean

Fall: If you're planning to earn a certificate in the fall semester, mark Wednesday, Nov. 16 on your calendar for Dinner with the Dean. Reception begins at 4:45 p.m. and will be held at The University Center Dining Room. To attend the fall dinner, you must complete 7 sessions during Fall 2011. Leadership address will be from State Representative Christina Hagan.

Spring: If you're planning to earn a certificate in the spring semester, mark Wednesday, March 28 on your calendar for Dinner with the Dean. Reception begins at 4:45 p.m. and will be held at The University Center Timken A. To attend the spring dinner, you must complete 7 sessions in Spring 2012, or a combination of 7 sessions from Fall 2011 and Spring 2012.

Got Questions?

Student Leadership Academy Orientation - Select One Date
- Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 3:30 p.m. in Main Hall Auditorium
- Wednesday, Jan. 25 at noon in Main Hall Auditorium (repeat session)
60 minutes
Want to know what to expect during your Student Leadership Academy journey? Attend this session to find out about facilitators, session location, and more. Students that attend this session will receive a binder for their SLA materials.

Collaboration & the Unstoppable Team - Select One Date
- Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 3:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 1 at noon (repeat session)
Main Hall Auditorium
60 minutes
Teamwork is a cooperative effort by members of a team to achieve a common goal. Experience a new awareness of how to meet that goal by performing an ‘out of the box’ exercise that will combine learning and fun!

Servant Leadership
Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 3:30 p.m.
Main Hall Auditorium
60 minutes
A servant leader sacrifices his or her own needs for the needs of others and paints a picture of a better tomorrow. Learn the qualities of a servant leader, listen to our community partners about volunteer opportunities, and make a difference in our community by helping and inspiring others. Deadline to complete a service project is March 10. More details will be given during session.

Recognizing Diversity as a Professional Asset
Wednesday, Feb. 8 at noon
Main Hall Auditorium
60 minutes
In an effort to prepare our future leaders to live and work in an increasingly heterogeneous society and world, an approach for embracing diversity is presented.

Professional Interviewing & Job Fair Prep
Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 3:30 p.m.
Main Hall Auditorium
60 minutes
Learn strategies to become a wining interviewee: job interview preparation, effective communication, interview etiquette, professional dress and handling difficult questions. In addition, this session will cover tips and strategies geared toward helping you navigate an in person job fair.

Practical Ideas for Better Decision Making
Wednesday, Feb. 15 at noon
Main Hall Auditorium
60 minutes
You make 35,000 decisions a day. Spend an hour learning some practical ideas for making better decisions.

Resume & Cover Letter Writing Workshop - Select One Date
- Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 3:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. (repeat session)
Main Hall Auditorium
90 minutes
This interactive workshop covers the resume and cover letter writing process. Find out the do's and don'ts of effective professional correspondence.

Etiquette Luncheon
Wednesday, Feb. 22 at noon
The University Center Timken A
90 minutes
Many prospective employers are adding dining to interview components to assess the candidate’s abilities in different social situations. This session will help you avoid some protocol pitfalls.

Gender & Communication: Our Differing Languages of Leadership
Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 3:30 p.m.
Main Hall Auditorium
60 minutes
Although we are more similar than different, men and women often communicate in distinct ways. Gender differences in communication affect every aspect of life, and the goal of this session is to get students thinking about how their masculinity and femininity affects their relationships and leadership styles. Research findings on gender differences in verbal and nonverbal communication will be reviews and applied to everyday life through group discussion.

T.I.P.S. - Ten Strategies for Successful Public Speaking
Wednesday, Feb. 29 at noon
Main Hall Auditorium
60 minutes
This session will provide students with ten strategies for successful public speaking and presentations.

Living Well = Leading Well
Tuesday, March 6 at 3:30 p.m.
Main Hall Auditorium
60 minutes
True leadership stems from a healthy lifestyle! This session will teach future leaders how to develop healthy, wholesome lifestyles by adopting the six dimensions of wellness identified in the wellness wheel.

Stress: You're More in Control than You Think You Are! - Select One Date
- Tuesday, March 6 at noon
- Wednesday, March 7 at noon (repeat session)
Main Hall Auditorium
60 minutes
Sometimes it feels like stress is coming from all directions! Learn how to better understand what you do have control over, what you don’t have full control over (and how to let that go), and how to manage different types of stress!