Leadership Certificate
What is the Leadership Certificate?
The Leadership Certificate is a structured program designed to provide students with experience and growth in leadership. The program is grounded in the Illinois Philosophy of Leadership which states that "all students can exercise leadership." As a university student, you have the potential to become an excellent leader. The Certificate Program is designed to help you in this process.
Why should you get a Leadership Certificate?
Completing the Certificate will increase your leadership skills by setting personal leadership goals, collaborating with a Leadership Coach, and participating in various leadership experiences. The Certificate Program builds broad leadership skills for life in just 3-4 semesters or more.
Check out the Certificate Blog!
What Leadership Skills do I work on in the Certificate?
The Illinois Philosophy of Leadership is supported by our Skills-Based Model of Leadership that emphasizes four areas of leadership: intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, and transitional skills. Developing these skills will help support your personal and professional success.
Why get a Certificate when there are so many other leadership opportunities on campus?
- Structure - The program gives you specific requirements to meet that guarantee growth in a structured, yet personally tailored process of development
- Flexibility & Freedom - Go at your own pace and choose activities, classes, groups, conferences, etc. that interest you and that you want to be a part of and that interest you
- Support- You will receive access to peer and professional staff members who serve as resources, as well as the one-on-one relationship you will develop with your Leadership Coach
Will I have help along the way?
Of course! You will work with a qualified Leadership Coach who will be assigned to help you successfully complete the Certificate Program and learn the types of leadership skills necessary for your success.
How Can I Start?
Begin your Leadership Certificate today! The enrollment periods to begin the Certificate occur during the first 12 weeks of each Fall and Spring semester. To get started, simply:
- Login to our website and register for an Orientation Workshop under the 'Certificate' tab.
- After attending an Orienation Session, confirm your intent to begin the Certificate by submitting your Statement of Intent
- If you are joining in the Fall semester, your Statement of Intent is due November 8
- If you are joining in the Spring semester, your Statement of Intent is due April 11
- It is highly recommended you have 3-4 semesters left in your degree program to complete the Certificate Program
- Select a Leadership Coach
- You can recruit your own coach, or choose to be assigned to a coach from our list of volunteers
- The official pairing of your coach will occur after you have submitted your Statement of Intent
- Begin working with your Leadership Coach
- If you enrolled in the Fall, by December 1
- If you enrolled in the Spring, by May 1
- More information can be found in your Certificate Participant Manual
- Construct your Personal Development Plan (PDP)
- Due electronically to the Center by May 1 if you joined in the Fall
- Due electronically to the Center by December 1 if you joined in the Spring
- Examples of PDPs
Upcoming Certificate Events: Save the Date!
Leadership Certificate Kick-Off Event - September 13, 2010 from 4:30-5:30 pm, Illini Union Room C
This event is designed for all current and prospective students, coaches, and other volunteers. Please invite you Certificate student(s) to attend with you as well as any colleagues who are interested in learning more about the program or serving as a coach.
RSVP to Leslie Schwartz at LeslieMS@illinois.edu by Monday, September 6. We look forward to seeing you there!
Spring Certificate Completion Ceremony - April 26, 2011 from 4:00-6:00 pm, Illini Union ABC
This event will honor all completing Certificate students and their coaches. Prospective students, Leadership Coaches, and family members are invited to attend. More information will be shared closer to the event date. If you are planning on completing your Certificate in the spring, please email LeslieMS@illinois.edu.
Leadership Coach
Every participant is paired with a Leadership Coach who will provide insight and advice to students enrolled in the Leadership Certificate program. Click here for more information on volunteering as a Leadership Coach or view the Coach Information Brochure.
