Northern Illinois University

Student Involvement & Leadership Development

NIU Leadership Academy

Emerging Leaders

Emerging Leaders Checklist (Application Form)

  1. Model the Way (Find Your Voice): Find your voice by clarifying your personal values. Complete at least one of the following:
    • Attend a workshop on Ethical Decision Making, Values, Competence and/or Commitment.
    • Take a class on Business Communication, Public Speaking or Writing.
    • Other Leadership Academy approved event.
  2. Influence, Inspire or Rally People Around a Mission/Vision (Envision the Future): Envision the future by imagining exciting and ennobling possibilities. Complete at least one of the following:
    • Attend a workshop about Mission/Vision Planning (Ex. Tony Fusaro Institute Vision Training).
    • Articulate a Vision in a journal
    • Other Leadership Academy approved event
  3. Challenge the Process (Search for Opportunities): Search for opportunities by seeking innovative ways to change, grow, and improve. Complete TWO of the following (One fo them needs to be "Join an Organization"):
    • Join an orgnanization
    • Attend a workshop on Involvement and Activism Opportunities, Parliamentary Procedure and/or Critical Thinking.
    • Write a reflection piece that includes your own innovative idea that would produce change, growth and/or improvement.
    • Other Leadership Academy approved event
  4. Teach Others to Take Action (Foster Collaboration): Foster colalboration by promoting cooperative goals and building trust. Complete at least one of the following:
    • Attend a workshop on the Importance of Volunteer Work, Supervision Training and/or Coaching Techniques
    • Volunteer and journal the activities you did.
  5. Encourage the Heart (Develop, Maintain and Grow Relationships): Recognize contributions by showing appreciation for individual excellence. Complete at least one of the following:
    • Attend a worshop on Conflict Resolution, The Importance of Setting Clear Standards, Recruiting and/or The Importance of Personalize Recognition.
    • Journal an experience where you used conflict resolution techniques to address a situation.
    • Other Leadership Academy approved event.

Evolving Leaders

Evolving Leaders Checklist (Application Form)

  1. Model the Way (Find Your Voice - Set the Example): Set the example by aligning actions with shared values. Complete at least one of the following:
    • Conduct a workshop or run a roundtable discussion on Decision Making, Leadership Styles and/or the Importance of Leadership.
    • Attend a professional development program or internship/externship and journal how that decision has/will impact your education.
    • Chair a committee.
    • Journal about a contemporary topic from politics, business, etc. Reflect on decisions that were made, the outcome, and what you may have done similarly or differently.
    • Other Leadership Academy approved event.
  2. Influence, Inspire or Rally People Around a Mission/Vision (Envision the Future - Enlist Others): Enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations. Complete at least one of the following:
    • Conduct a workshop or run a roundtable discussion on Mission/Vision Planning (Ex. Tony Fusaro Institute Vision Training).
    • Chair a committee and articulate a vision.
    • Other Leadership Academy approved event.
  3. Challenge the Process: Develop Critical Thinking Skills (Search for Opportunities - Experiment & Take Risks): Take Risks by Constantly Generating Small Wins and Learning from Mistakes. Complete at least one of the following.
    • Conduct a workshop or run a roundtable discussion on a Communication topic.
    • Students involved on a university committee or outside organization should share a written account or list of their doing something beyond the organization...political action... participating in the change process, etc.
    • Deliver a speech about leadership to others.
    • Serve on a university committee and write a reflection piece or journal about your experience.
    • Other Leadership Academy approved event.
  4. Teach others to take action (Foster Collaboration - Strengthen Others): Strengthen Others by Sharing Power and Discretion. Complete at least one of the following:
    • Conduct a workshop or run a round table discussion on Motivation, Supervision Training or Coaching Techniques
    • Lead a volunteer effort and journal/reflect upon it.
    • Chair a committee and share power.
    • Other Leadership Academy approved event.
  5. Encourage the Heart: Develop, Maintain, and Grow Relationships (Recognize Contributions - Celebrate the Values and Victories): Celebrate the values and victories by creating spirit of community. Complete at least one of the following:
    • Conduct a workshop or run a round table discussion on Conflict Resolution, Succession Planning, The Importance of Networking and/or Recruitment.
    • Become a mentor.
    • Journal your contributions to create a spirit of community in your organization.
    • Organize and lead a recognition ceremony.
    • Other Leadership Academy approved event.

Engaging Leaders

Engaging Leaders Checklist (Application Form)

  1. Model the Way: Complete at least two of the following:
    • Conduct a workshop or run a roundtable discussion on Decision Making, Leadership Styles and/or the Importance of Leadership.
    • Write a reflection piece in how you have modeled your way and or found your voice up until now.
    • Share with other Leadership Academy Members how you have modeled your way and or found your voice up until now by doing a speech. Include your future plans to keep evolving as a leader in this aspect.
    • Other Leadership Academy approved event.
  2. Influence, Inspire or Rally people around a Mission/Vision: Complete at least two of the following:
    • Conduct a workshop or run a roundtable discussion on Mission/Vision Planning (Ex. Tony Fusaro Institute Vision Planning).
    • Write a reflection piece on how you have influenced and inspired other people up until now.
    • Share with other Leadership Academy Members how you have influenced and inspired others up until now by doing a speech. Include your future plans to keep evolving as a leader in this aspect.
    • Other Leadership Academy approved event.
  3. Challenge the Process: Complete at least one of the following:
    • Conduct a workshop or run a roundtable discussion on a Communcation topic.
    • Write a reflection piece on how you have challenged the process up until now.
    • Share with other Leadership Academy Members how you have challenged the process up until now. Include your future plans to keep evolving as a leader in this aspect.
    • Author a student association piece of legislation or provide documentation about action you have taken in your community to create change.
    • Other Leadership Academy approved event.
  4. Teach others to take action: Complete at least one of the following:
    • Conduct a workshop or run a round table discussion on Motivation, Supervision Training or Coaching Techniques.
    • Write a reflection piece on how you have influenced and inspired other people up until now.
    • Share with other Leadership Academy Members how you have taught others to take action up unitl now by doing a speech. Include your future plans to keep evolving as a leader in this aspect.
    • Other Leadership Academy approved event.
  5. Encourage the Heart: Complete at least one of the following:
    • Conduct a workshop or run a round table discussion on Conflict Resolution, Succession Planning, The Importance of Networking and/or Recruitment.
    • Write a reflection piece on how you have encouraged other people and your own heart up until now.
    • Share with other Leadership Academy Members how you encouraged other people and you own heart up until now by doing a speech. Include your future plans to keep evolving as a leader in this aspect.
    • Other Leadership Academy approved event.