Learning to Lead Scholars Program

The Learning to Lead Scholars Program is a three-year comprehensive leadership experience designed to help students develop their leadership style and ability throughout their time at Western. Students apply for and are selected to take part in the program their first year at Western and then take part in several different leadership experiences over the course of their time at Western. The program consists of five components including:

Leadership 101 course (RPTA 490). The purpose of the Leadership 101 course is to teach students the basic concepts and principles of leadership and to help them discover and enhance their own leadership style and skills. The course would be taken the Fall after a student is selected for the Learning to Lead Scholars program
Leadership Seminar and Workshop Series. After taking the Leadership 101 course LTL scholars would continue their leadership development by attending various seminar and workshops on a variety of topics. LTL Scholars would be required to attend a minimum of two workshops each semester. All seminars would be mandatory.
Community Service. As leaders, it is important to give back to the community. Therefore, each LTL Scholar would perform a minimum of ten (10) hours of community service each semester they are part of the program.
Learning to Lead Summer Institute/Internship experience. After successfully completing the first two semesters in the program, all eligible LTL scholars can apply to participate in the Learning to Lead Summer Institute (see description above). Those LTL Scholars selected will spend a summer in Washington, DC interning with various government agencies, not for profit organizations, and businesses. Those LTL Scholars who are not chosen to participate in the LTL Summer Institute can work with the LTL staff to explore other internship options.
Senior Leadership Portfolio and Project. The last year of the LTL Scholars program, the Senior Scholars will create a Leadership Portfolio outlining their leadership history and development in the program. LTL Senior Scholars will work in conjunction with the LTL staff to compile and create their portfolio. Also LTL Senior Scholars will do a senior project where they have the option to develop and present a leadership workshop for the Seminar and Workshop Series or to create their own project that helps to benefit the WIU community.

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