The NIU Leadership Academy is a premier leadership development program for students at Northern Illinois University. The program is primarily based on Kouzes and Posner's Leadership Challenge. Kouzes and Posner (2007) posit that leadership can be a learned skill and that there are five practices of exemplary leadership which can be developed in order to become an engaging leader. The five practices of exemplary leadership are "Model the Way," "Inspire a Shared Vision," "Challenge the Process," "Enable Others to Act," and "Encourage the Heart."

The Leadership Academy is also anchored in NIU's commitment to the community, region, and world. Program content intentionally engages students in dialogues with leaders from NIU and beyond, enhancing their professional connections and networking abilities. The three-tier program combines theoretical and practical leadership experiences to create an interactive learning environment for future leaders.

Read more about the Leadership Academy here.

Leadership Academy Application
Tier 1: Emerging Leaders (development checklist)
Tier 2: Evolving Leaders (development checklist)
Tier 3: Engaging Leaders (development checklist)

Fall 2011 Leadership Workshops

All NIU students are cordially invited to attend the fall semester Leadership Workshops.  Each workshop will last around 2 hours.  During that time there will be a presentation, a round table discussion, and time to enjoy refreshments courtesy of the Campus Activities Board (CAB)!

These workshops are a great way to expand your knowledge and understanding of leadership concepts, meet other students who are interested in leadership, and to engage in thought provoking conversations.  Be sure to join us this fall! Here are additional details on the workshops:

Leadership Academy Meet and Greet

Wednesday, August 24, 2011
7:00 p.m.
Campus Life Building, Room 100
Interested in meeting new people, developing leadership skills, and taking part in our great Leadership Academy? Join us for additional information!
Sponsored by: Student Involvement and Leadership Development
Presenters: Chunnan Hu (Graduate Assistant) and Karla Neal (Assistant Director), Student Involvement and Leadership Development

Model the Way 

Wednesday, August 31, 2011
7:00 p.m.
Campus Life Building, Room 100
"To act with integrity we must first know who we are" (Kouzes & Posner, 2007).
Sponsored by: Campus Activities Board and Student Involvement and Leadership Development
Presenter: Darion Page, Assistant Director, Student Involvement and Leadership Development

Inspire a Shared Vision

Tuesday, September 13, 2011
7:00 p.m.
Campus Life Building, Room 100
"Leadership isn't about imposing the leader's solo dream; it's about developing a shared sense of destiny" (Kouzes & Posner, 2007).
Sponsored by: Campus Activities Board and Student Involvement and Leadership Development
Presenter: Quincy Bevely, SILD Intern from NIU's Counseling Adult and Higher Education Program

Challenge the Process

Wednesday, October 5, 2011
7:00 p.m.
Campus Life Building, Room 100
"Leaders take charge of change.  They instill a sense of adventure in others, they look for ways to radically alter the status quo, and they continuously scan the outside environment for fresh ideas"(Kouzes & Posner, 2007).
Sponsored by: Campus Activities Board and Student Involvement and Leadership Development
Presenter: Rebecca Welker, Leadership Academy Member, Tier 3

Enable Others to Act

Tuesday, October 25, 2011
7:00 p.m.
Campus Life Building, Room 100
"Strengthening others is essentially the process of turning constituents into leaders" (Kouzes & Posner, 2007).
Sponsored by: Campus Activities Board and Student Involvement and Leadership Development
Presenter: Dino Martinez, Assistant Director, Student Involvement and Leadership Development

Develop, Maintain and Grow Relationships

Tuesday, November 29, 2011
7:00 p.m.
Campus Life Building, Room 100
"Human networks make things happen, and the leaders who get extraordinary things done are right there in the middle of them" (Kouzes & Posner, 2007).
Sponsored by: Campus Activities Board and Student Involvement and Leadership Development
Presenter: Becky Harlow, Assistant Director, Student Involvement and Leadership Development