Leadership By Design is a one-year program for students to obtain certifications in five areas of professional
and personal development: Personal Development, Professional Development, Technical
Skills, People Skills, and Civic Engagement.
Participants will attend a weekly one-hour cohort meeting for two semesters and accumulate
points to earn rewards for graduation.
Competencies
Personal Development
Professional Development
Technical Skills
People Skills
Civic Engagement
Personal Development: Students will foster self-awareness, personal growth, and well-being through leadership,
identity exploration, self-care, and holistic health.
This session introduces “crucibles” as transformative experiences shaping leadership.
Students will reflect on three types—New Territory, Suspension, Reversal—and explore
their role in personal growth through self-reflection and discussion.
Discover You
This session will focus on identifying your strengths, values, and personal attributes,
and how these elements come together to shape your career path.
Exploring Personal Identity
Exploring Personal Identity helps students delve into personal branding, authenticity,
and owning their narrative. This session offers strategies to align their image with
core values, fostering confidence and success through self-reflection and growth.
Stages of Personal Power
This session covers Janet O. Hagberg’s six stages of personal power, providing tools
to navigate leadership challenges and develop authentic, impactful leadership.
Practicing Self-Care
This session focuses on managing stress in college and beyond, teaching habits for
life. Students will learn mindfulness, time management, and relaxation techniques
to build resilience and practice proactive self-care.
Power Through Fitness
This session highlights the importance of fitness for college students, covering physical
activity benefits, overcoming barriers, and types of activities. Students will also
learn to create a sustainable fitness routine for lifelong well-being.
Sexual Health Spotlight
This session will focus on an engaging and dynamic sexual health class, packed with
essential insights on anatomy, pleasure, health screenings, birth control, and STI
prevention.
People Skills: Students will develop self-awareness, strengthen interpersonal skills, and explore
diversity to foster inclusive relationships and community.
This session helps participants communicate effectively and build rapport to enhance
teamwork. Exploring the five stages of team development, students will learn strategies
to improve collaboration and create a supportive team environment.
True Colors
This session explores the True Colors personality assessment, guiding participants
to understand their personality type and enhance team collaboration through improved
communication, mutual appreciation, and self-awareness.
Discovering the Multifaceted Scope of Diversity
This session helps students explore diversity, recognizing it as a broad range of
human differences beyond race, ethnicity, or gender. Students will gain a deeper understanding
to foster meaningful interactions and inclusivity in daily life
Understanding Gender & Sexuality
This session explores gender and sexuality, addressing key concepts like identity,
expression, and orientation. Participants will gain insights to foster inclusivity,
challenge stereotypes, and support diverse experiences in personal and professional
spaces.
Civility & Community
This session will focus on equipping participants with the skills to engage effectively
with your community, both in times of success and during challenges.
Mastering Boundaries
This session will focus on the different types of boundaries, when they apply, and
how to set healthy boundaries with some practical tools.
Embracing Disabilities
This session will focus on understanding disability from the perspective of the ADA,
accommodations in higher education, and through the lens of individuals with disabilities.
Technical Skills: Students will enhance digital proficiency, build career readiness, and strengthen
tech knowledge through interactive and professional learning.
This session explores Office 365 tools like Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and OneDrive.
Students will gain hands-on skills in communication, collaboration, and organization
to enhance productivity and prepare for professional success.
Managing Library Resources
This session teaches students to navigate and maximize library databases, including
research techniques, advanced search strategies, and resource organization. Participants
will gain skills to efficiently access and utilize academic resources for success.
Financial Techniques
Take control of your finances. Learn strategies for budgeting, building credit, and
protecting yourself from fraud. Gain the tools to make informed financial decisions
and secure your future.
AI Literacy & Ethical Practices
This session offers an AI 101 overview, covering tools like ChatGPT and prompt engineering.
Students will learn effective prompts, AI capabilities, limitations, and ethical practices
for responsible use in academic and professional settings.
AI in Academic Project Development
This session teaches students to use AI for brainstorming, research, content organization,
and writing refinement. It covers practical skills, efficiency, quality, and ethical
AI use in academic projects.
Digital AI in Image, Video Music & Presentation
This session introduces digital AI tools like MidJourney, Runway, Suno, and Gamma.
Students will explore their use in creative projects through hands-on activities,
understanding their potential and limitations in modern professional work.
Job Searching & Professional Platforms
This session covers job and internship search strategies using LinkedIn and Handshake.
Students will learn to build profiles, network with professionals, and leverage platform
tools to find career opportunities.
Professional Development: Students will build essential skills, including communication, leadership, time management,
and conflict resolution, for career success.
This session will focus on creating resumes and cover letters. You will learn how
to stand out and elevate yourself above the competition.
Ethical Leadership
This session examines ethical leadership using Steve Wilkins’ Beyond Bumper Sticker Ethics. Students will explore biases, ethical frameworks, and apply reasoning to real-world
dilemmas through interactive exercises and decision-making challenges.
Time Management & Goal Setting
This session introduces time management and goal-setting skills for lasting success.
Students will learn techniques to reduce overwhelm and harness their passions to set
and achieve energizing, meaningful goals for personal and professional growth.
Leading with Empathy & Compassion
This session focuses on identifying common biases, understanding their impact on individuals
and communities, and learning strategies to foster inclusive and respectful interactions.
Interviewing
This session will focus on mastering effective techniques to help you stand out as
the top candidate for the job.
Conflict Resolution through the 6 Thinking Hats
This session introduces Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats framework for conflict
resolution and collaboration. Students will learn each hat’s role and practice applying
diverse perspectives to develop creative, balanced solutions through interactive scenarios.
Networking & Elevator Speeches
This session explores applying social theory to build connections and showcase strengths.
Students will learn networking strategies and craft a 1-minute elevator pitch to impress
employers
Civic Engagement: Students will build social responsibility, cultural awareness, and advocacy skills
to make a meaningful impact and drive change in their communities.
Wed. Feb. 12 | 7 – 10 p.m. | Mattioli Recreation Center Contact: Fernando Alcántar, Director of Student Engagement (falcantar@esu.edu) and Sam Botnick, Assistant Director of Student Engagement (sbotnick@esu.edu)
MLK Day of Service - 2 points
Thu. Feb. 13 | 2 – 4 p.m. | University Center Contact Ly Fleming, Director of the Center for Multicultural Affairs (lfleming@esu.edu) and Lurine Allotey, Assistant Director of the Center for Multicultural Affairs (lallotey@esu.edu)
Tue. Feb. 25 | 6 – 8 p.m. | Mattioli Recreation Center Contact: Fernando Alcántar, Director of Student Engagement (falcantar@esu.edu) and Sam Botnick, Assistant Director of Student Engagement (sbotnick@esu.edu)
AWAY Alternative Spring Break Trip - 7 points*
Sat. Mar. 8 – Wed. Mar. 12 | Bear Creek Lake State Park, Cumberland, Virginia Contact: Fernando Alcántar, Director of Student Engagement (falcantar@esu.edu) and Sam Botnick, Assistant Director of Student Engagement (sbotnick@esu.edu)
Wed. Apr. 16 | 7 – 9 p.m. | University Center Contact: Fernando Alcántar, Director of Student Engagement (falcantar@esu.edu) and Sam Botnick, Assistant Director of Student Engagement (sbotnick@esu.edu)
End of Year Extravaganza - 3 points
Thu. Apr. 16 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Main Quad Contact: Fernando Alcántar, Director of Student Engagement (falcantar@esu.edu) and Sam Botnick, Assistant Director of Student Engagement (sbotnick@esu.edu)
Let It Go! - 2 points
Thu. Apr. 29 | 2 – 4 p.m. | University Center Contact: Fernando Alcántar, Director of Student Engagement (falcantar@esu.edu) and Sam Botnick, Assistant Director of Student Engagement (sbotnick@esu.edu)
*= Cost associated with participating in the program
Facilitators
Center for Multicultural Affairs
Campus Rec & Wellness
Career & Workforce Development
Counseling & Psychological Services
Gender & Sexuality Center
Kemp Library
Office of Accessible Services Individualized for Student (OASIS)
PSECU
Stony Acres
Student Activity Association
Student Engagement
Student Organizations & Commuter Services
Wellness Education & Prevention
Contact Us
For more information and a full calendar of upcoming events, please visit WarriorLink
at warriorlink.esu.edu.
