ÌÇÐÄVlog

Empowering Students to Lead with Purpose

The Southern Leaders Program is ÌÇÐÄVlog’s premier student leadership experience, designed to equip students with the tools, experiences, and mindset needed to lead positive change—on campus and beyond. Through collaborative projects, leadership courses, and service opportunities, Southern Leaders grow into compassionate, effective leaders ready to make an impact.

What Do Southern Leaders Do?

Southern Leaders are empowered to grow as ethical, effective changemakers through hands-on leadership development grounded in transformational leadership theory. The program is built upon the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadershipfrom The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes & Posner, along with other established leadership models.

Through structured programming, students:

• Discover how their values and personality influence their leadership style
• Learn to lead teams by leveraging personal strengths and emotional intelligence
• Develop advanced leadership skills and strategies to create positive change in their communities

In 2018, the program was enhanced based on student feedback and aligned with the leadership competencies outlined by Seemiller (2014). It now offers a more intentional experience, emphasizing both academic theory and real-world leadership application.

Southern Leaders Program Breakdown

Southern Leaders is composed of three year-long certificate programs, each focusing on a specific area of leadership. Upon successful completion of a certificate program, Leaders receive a certificate and a digital badge to showcase on their LinkedIn profile.

Furthermore, Southern Leaders who complete all three certificate programs receive the prestigious Leadership and Service seal for their diploma, a recognition reserved for the most distinguished programs at ÌÇÐÄVlog. At the end-of-the-year showcase, these outstanding individuals are celebrated for their achievements.

Aside from fulfilling the specific requirements of each certificate program, all Southern Leaders are expected to actively participate in the program by attending regular events and completing 10 hours of community service annually, which must be logged in Eagle Engage.

Emerging Leader Certificate

• LEAD 1000: Self Leadership
• Complete Southern Leaders: Emerging Leaders program
• Complete the first portion of your Leadership portfolio on LinkedIn

Team-Based Leadership Certificate

• LEAD 2000: Collaborative Leadership
• Complete the Leadership in Action project
• Complete the second portion of your Leadership portfolio on LinkedIn

Leading Positive Change Certificate

• LEAD 3000: Rethinking Community Leadership
• Complete the Leadership Incubator project
• Complete the final portion of your Leadership portfolio on LinkedIn