Emerging Leaders
Emerging Leaders (EL) is a competitive leadership development program for up to fifty of SMU’s top first-year students. The program is designed to develop additional leadership skills and refine those already possessed. Students in the EL program will have weekly meetings to learn and discuss important elements of leadership, and will have the opportunity to network with students, professors, and staff at SMU as well as with influential leaders within the Dallas community.
Emerging Leaders Retreat
Early in the EL program, a retreat* is held to begin the process of leadership growth and to build the relationships that are important to the EL experience. All participants will travel to a retreat location in North Texas to experience a program facilitated by a professional leadership development specialist and motivational speaker.
*A minimal charge ($15) is required for the Retreat, however assistance is available if needed - contact EL Advisor, Lauren Cove at lcove@smu.edu.
Networking with Other Leaders
EL’s
will have the opportunity to network with campus and community leaders
throughout the program. Each EL
will be placed in an “Accountability Group” that will meet weekly outside of the
regular EL meeting and guided by an experienced student leader.
These groups will help EL’s connect with other students and support each
other towards the accomplishment of goals that they have set.
Working groups will also be established that empower EL members to take
leadership within the program.
Community Service
The Emerging Leaders class will be responsible for planning and implementing
(through the guidance and support of the
Mustang Heroes student organization and the
Community Engagement & Leadership
Center) SMU’s annual Community Service Day, the oldest recurring
service program at SMU. EL’s will also emphasize their commitment to
creating positive change in the community (an ultimate goal of leadership)
through participation in fifteen hours of community service.
EL’s will be given the opportunity to choose from a preselected list of
agencies and organizations with which SMU has previously worked (other agencies
or organizations may be used upon approval by the
EL Advisor).
Mentors
Each EL is matched with an alumni mentor in the Dallas area who shares similar interests and career paths. Alumni mentors will provide students with insights into their profession as well as advice for success. Student mentors will work with a small group of EL's by coaching them through a community service project, campus leadership and involvement. Find the EL Mentor application at www.smu.edu/lci/lead/elmentors2.asp.
The Benefits
Participation in EL provides a select group of first-year leaders the opportunity to develop and hone skills that are essential in the execution of effective leadership. With a great number of public and private organizations indicating the need for efficient leadership, EL presents students the ideal way to incorporate and enhance the skills necessary for success at SMU and beyond. They will also have the opportunity to hear from influential guest speakers on a wide range of leadership topics and participate in hands-on leadership training. EL provides SMU’s top leaders the opportunity for immediate immersion in a variety of leadership areas, providing the potential for future campus leadership opportunities.
If you have questions about the program, please contact:
Kyle Oberkrom: Emerging Leaders Chair
Lauren Cove: LEAD Advisor / Stephanie Howeth: LEAD Advisor
Congratulations to the students selected for Emerging Leaders Class of 2012!