We
Encourage
Leadership
Enhancement
And
Development

WE LEAD is the umbrella name for the comprehensive student leadership enhancement and development program at Western Carolina University. The program provides opportunities for students to gain and hone leadership skills through the use of liberal studies learning outcomes. Using the Social Chang Model of Leadership Development as its framework, WE LEAD is founded on the belief that leadership comes from a place other than position-based power – leadership is an outgrowth of generosity of spirit, a mindset that applies ideas and abilities of individuals and groups to create social benefits.

WE LEAD offers diverse programming including event advising, retreat planning, advisor training, officer transition, theory, group dynamics and workshops tailored to specific needs or requests. In addition to leadership programs, more than 100 student organizations serve as leadership laboratories allowing students to enhance and develop their leadership skills.

Freshmen Leadership Institute - This leadership opportunity is offered to small groups of incoming freshmen who will be chosen through an application process and interview during their orientation visit. Members will live in a group housing arrangement that allows courses to be taught activities in the facility along with participation in leadership development programs. Eligibility criteria are entering freshmen, minimum high school grade point average of 3.0, demonstrated leadership experience and/or community involvement, completed application and a 250-word essay describing leadership and/or community service experiences, a commitment to ten hours per week to the program and residence in the designated facility. Participants will be involved in classes, campus events, a service project, FLIP, the Human Potential Retreat and meetings with upperclassmen.

Co-curricular Transcript – The co-curricular transcript allows students to keep track of their co-curricular activities by relating the skills they have learned to the liberal studies learning outcomes. This leadership tool is located on-line and allows students twenty-four hour access. These can be used for admission processes to graduate school and job searches.

Human Potential Retreat - The goals of the Human Potential Retreat are: to identify potential leaders (freshman and sophomores), not currently serving as campus leaders;
to let students know that a faculty or staff member at Western Carolina University is interested in his/her leadership potential and development; to assist these students in recognizing and beginning to develop the leadership potential in him/her; to provide these students with the tools and resources which he/she will use as he/she steps into leadership roles; to develop a pool of potential leaders for the Western Carolina University campus.

FLIP – Freshmen Leaders in Progress (FLIP) strives to provide an environment and community of support for freshmen to gain leadership skills through campus involvement and exposure to new experiences and ideas. The counselors and co-chairs endeavor to assist the freshmen in their transition to Western Carolina University by providing opportunities for involvement on campus, service-learning, academic excellence, and creating new friendships through social interaction. Freshmen involved in FLIP will gain exceptional leadership skills, knowledge, and values framed by the Social Change Model of Leadership to become better citizens and leaders to change the world.

Student Leaders Advisory Board – The mission of the Student Leaders Advisory Board is for the chief student leaders of organizations that has the most impact on student life at Western Carolina University, to come together to create and advocate for a positive atmosphere for student life.

LEAD –is an annual statewide, student leadership conference sponsored by the North Carolina College Personnel Association. The 2004 conference was hosted by WCU in February 2004. Student leaders with staff support chaired this conference. Future participation will involve student presentations at future conferences.

Counseling 141 – Student Leadership and Development