Phase 3 - Experienced Leaders
Objective:
To immerse students in more intense experiential opportunities and deeper theoretical discussions about leadership beliefs and practices in order to enhance their own development and to assist others. Students will come to understand how they interact with the world around them and how they as individuals have the ability to affect and create positive social change. Experienced leaders will focus specifically on concepts such as strategic change, social justice, and resolving complex ethical dilemmas. Experienced leaders are students who are well trained on various leadership concepts and who have focused a great deal on continually developing their own self-concept. They are also prepared to share their knowledge and experiences with other students in facilitating, training, and mentoring roles.
Activities & Events:
Welcome Back Activity: The entire group of Experienced leaders will reconvene to catch up from summer, discuss fall semester activities, and to begin their exploration of Social Justice.
Teambuilding Retreat: All Leadership Lehigh participants will be taking part in a retreat in early September. During this retreat, Experienced Leaders will participate in a high ropes course experience. They will also continue developing their inclusive leadership skills through a variety of experiential activities.
Community Service: Each team member will be responsible for completing seven hours of community service through the Community Service Office each semester. Eight service events have been planned by Leadership Lehigh members and each Experienced Leader will have the opportunity to participate in these events along with Phase I and II students.
Community Leadership Challenge: Through a variety of fieldtrips, speakers, interviews, panel discussions, and other opportunities, students will broaden their understanding of important social issues facing South Bethlehem. As a group, they will then begin exploring ways in which they can help improve one of these issues. Utilizing a variety of resources, students will formulate a plan for change that ultimately they will implement in the community with various local partners.
Leadership Learning Sessions: All Experienced Leaders will meet bi-weekly to participate in various leadership training and development experiences. During the fall semester, this will include ongoing social justice education and personal inclusive leadership skill building opportunities. In the spring, the group will gain a more in-depth understanding of the Social Change Model of leadership and will engage in a series of debates and discussions with community leaders to enhance their perspective on global leadership, active citizenship and community change.
The Leadership Portfolio: Each participant will keep a Leadership Portfolio. This will be built over the course of their time in the program and will serve as a reflective activity for students. A variety of pieces will comprise the leadership portfolio (i.e. articles, thoughts, quotes, or resources; writing about specific leadership moments they experience; lists of discussion topics, etc.)
Optional Activities:
Phase I Team Leader Program: Phase III students have the opportunity to apply to serve as Phase I Team Leaders for the academic year. As a part of this experience, they are able to facilitate workshops, meetings, and social events with the First-Year students in the Leadership Lehigh program. They also serve as resources and informal mentors to the Phase I students.
End of Semester and Year Events: These social events at the end of each semester will be planned to serve as an opportunity for all Leadership Lehigh participants to celebrate their accomplishments and be recognized for their outstanding commitment to their own leadership development.
Other Activities: A variety of other leadership opportunities and activities will be offered by the Office of Student Leadership Development and other offices each year. These events are also offered to Leadership Lehigh participants.