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Northwest Missouri State University


Northwest Leadership

Northwest Leadership develops strong leaders and teaches our leaders how to apply the five practices of The Student Leadership Challenge into their leadership styles. The Student Leadership Challenge offers everyone the chance to take to take the initiative and make a difference. SLC is about how student leaders mobilize others to want to get extraordinary things done! 

The Five Practices of The Student Leadership Challenge are:

 

Leaders establish principles concerning the way people (constituents, peers, colleagues, and customers alike) should be treated and the way goals should be pursued. They create standards of excellence and then set an example for others to follow. Because the prospect of complex change can overwhelm people and stifle action, they set interim goals so that people can achieve small wins as they work toward larger objectives. They unravel bureaucracy when it impedes action; they put up signposts when people are unsure of where to go or how to get there; and they create opportunities for victory. Leaders passionately believe that they can make a difference. They envision the future, creating an ideal and unique image of what the organization can become. Through their magnetism and quiet persuasion, leaders enlist others in their dreams. They breathe life into their visions and get people to see exciting possibilities for the future. Leaders search for opportunities to change the status quo. They look for innovative ways to improve the organization. In doing so, they experiment and take risks. And because leaders know that risk taking involves mistakes and failures, they accept the inevitable disappointments as learning opportunities. Leaders foster collaboration and build spirited teams. They actively involve others. Leaders understand that mutual respect is what sustains extraordinary efforts; they strive to create an atmosphere of trust and human dignity. They strengthen others, making each person feel capable and powerful. Accomplishing extraordinary things in organizations is hard work. To keep hope and determination alive, leaders recognize contributions that individuals make. In every winning team, the members need to share in the rewards of their efforts, so leaders celebrate accomplishments. They make people feel like heroes.

As student leaders, just like you, we’re excited to help you develop into a strong leader and learn the five practices. Northwest Leadership combined with The Student Leadership Challenge is about a climate in which people turn challenging opportunities into remarkable success.

Northwest Leadership offers the following leadership opportunities: Lead Green Mentors, Bearcat Leadership Training, Exemplary Leadership Academy, and Service & Engagement. See below for descriptions of these or contact the Leadership Graduate Assistant at leadga@nwmissouri for more information!

 

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Lead Green

Lead Green is a leadership peer mentoring program designed to develop leaders who will impact the greater campus community. The Lead Green Mentors consist of students who have successfully completed an eight-week course that focuses on connecting and applying the five practices of exemplary leadership into their daily life as leaders.

Each of the mentors are involved in different organizations on campus and will bring their unique perspective of how they have applied The Student Leadership Challenge to their organizations. The Lead Green Mentors offer one-on-one meetings with presidents/executive board members of organizations; leadership development presentations; and Bearcat Leadership Training. 

Please contact the Lead Green Mentors through Bearcat Link or the Leadership Graduate Assistant at leadga@nwmissouri.edu if you would like them to assist your organization! 

Bearcat Leadership Training

Bearcat Leadership Training (BLT) is a two-day training that is based upon the practices of The Student Leadership Challenge model. Our mission with BLT is to help students learn about the behaviors and actions that great leaders demonstrate. Through guided, peer-to-peer discussions, students will understand The Student Leadership Challenge model and the five practices of exemplary leadership. Once equipped with the knowledge, we will help students connect their understanding of leadership through highly-interactive group activities and continued peer-to-peer conversations. Through these facilitated activities and discussions, students will reflect upon and connect their own leadership behaviors and experiences to their understanding of the content. Finally, we will help students apply the five practices of exemplary leadership to their own personal endeavors through a highly-personalized leadership journal and dedicated action plan.

Register online »

Exemplary Leadership Academy

The Exemplary Leadership Academy (ELA) is an eight week co-curricular course centered on The Student Leadership Challenge and focused on helping students learn, connect, and apply the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership. Each week, students will engage in a several peer-to-peer discussions, participate in highly-interactive group activities and begin applying acquired knowledge to their personal experience. 

For more information »

National Conference on Student Leadership (NCSL)

The National Conference on Student Leadership or (NCSL) is a student leadership conference that we attended this past spring semester to further our knowledge on leadership. You can also become a certified student leader. 

At the National Conference on Student Leadership (NCSL) fall conference you will-

  • Grow as a student leader
  • Spend the weekend meeting and networking with hundreds of students from all over the world
  • Gain valuable skills that you'll use right now
  • Prepare for your career after college

If your organization is interested in attending, learn more »

Leadership Library

The Leadership Library provides student organizations with the basic materials and knowledge needed to be a successful.  The hope is that the Library will help individuals and organizations grow, and in turn enrich the Northwest Missouri State University Campus. All materials are available for use/check out through the Office of Student Involvement inside the Student Engagement Center of the Student Union.