Leadership Training & Development
The following opportunities are designed to help build leadership skills and capacity for individuals or student organizations. These programs are short-term commitments and can easily fit into your schedule.
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Leadership Education and Development Program
The online leadership development program is designed to help students learn more about themselves, others, and to gain a general understanding of important leadership concepts.
The program offers four unique modules to help students learn more about the following concepts:
- Engaging in Leadership
- Leadership Theory
- Ethical Decision Making
- Multiculturalism
Additionally, students can choose to complete any of the following optional modules.
- Budgeting
- Marketing
- Meeting Management
- Parliamentary Procedure
- Time Management
- Transitioning Leaders & Organizations
The ten modules are all available to be taken anytime by current Penn State students, faculty, and staff in Canvas. Individuals may self-enroll in the course to access the modules. To earn the certificate students must complete the four core modules by Friday, December 2.
Please note that any professors or University departments who plan to mandate their students complete the entire LEAD program must contact the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement at leadership@psu.edu prior to asking students to sign-up. Please contact leadership@psu.edu with any questions or requests.
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Student Organization Workshops
Workshops are requested by student organizations on campus looking to improve various aspects of their groups' dynamic. Student Organization Consultants will build and lead a group of ice breakers and team building activities aimed at meeting the needs of your organization.
If you are interested in requesting a customized workshop for your organization, complete our request form below. To effectively address your organization's needs, we ask that you give us at least 2 weeks notice before the workshop date. Thank you!
Leadership Experiences
The following opportunities are available to help build leadership skills and capacity. These programs are longer term (day, weekend, week) and held at regular times throughout the semester.
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The Summer Leadership Conference is a three-day conference that brings Penn State student representatives together from across the Commonwealth. Participants attend several workshops aimed at enhancing their leadership, citizenship, and networking skills.
For questions about the conference, please email summerleadershipconf@psu.edu.
2025 Conference
Date: August 5 -7, 2025
Location: Penn State, University Park
Vision
The Penn State Summer Leadership Conference provides a challenging and motivating experience for participants where they will learn to be empowered, confident leaders, personally and professionally, and will be inspired to lead purposeful lives while upholding the Penn State Values.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Enhance essential skills and competencies and identify areas for further exploration and development in the pursuit of leadership excellence; specifically ethical decision making, creative education and innovation, group dynamics, and conflict management.
- Explain the importance of embracing a diverse and inclusive community and how those relate to multicultural competency.
- Define their leadership values and philosophies through self-awareness exercises.
- Demonstrate how their role as a student leader at Penn State can be applied to their future.
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What is the Global Engagement and Leadership Experience?
The Global Engagement and Leadership Experience, as the name implies, is a "global" leadership opportunity. What does that mean? At GELE we explore our ability to interact across differences, both at the individual and group level. Our trained facilitators work to guide you in your understanding of self, while also providing opportunities to learn about the cultures and identities of others through fun and reflective activities. The skills you need to work across differences ("intercultural") are important no matter your academic major or future career goals.
What will you take away from this experience?- A certificate of attendance
- A chance to build new friendships and expand your professional network
- Preferred placement in other Global Penn State student leadership opportunities
Qualifications to apply?
- Full-time student status
- An interest in self-growth
GELE will be held from Friday, October 13 through Sunday, October 15, 2023. Transportation, food, and housing are provided for the weekend. Applications will open on September 8, 2023 and will close on September 25, 2023.
Learn more about the Global Engagement and Leadership Experience
