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College offers new Leadership Certificate Program

By Billie Owens

Students at Genesee Community College now have the opportunity to expand their leadership skills through a new non-credit Leadership Certificate Program.

It is a new initiative to help students improve upon their existing skills and ability to be a leader. Open to all students, this program is designed to prepare students as leaders in the workplace and in their community.

While students do not receive academic credit for attending these seminars and workshops, they will receive recognition for completing it on their final academic transcripts.

Students must complete a series of courses, seminars, workshops and volunteer work in five areas to complete the certificate program. These include:

One Introductory Course (Student choose one of the following)

  • LEAD 101: Your Life and Leadership (designed for first year students)
  • LEAD 102: Foundations of Leadership (designed for non-traditional students)

One Capstone Course (Student choose one of the following)

  • LEAD 201: Modern Leadership Issues Seminar
  • LEAD 202: Student Paraprofessional Development Seminar (designed for student leaders)
  • LEAD 203: Orientation Leadership Seminar
  • LEAD 204: Resident Assistant Seminar Experience In Leadership. Students complete 120 hours over two semesters of actively participating in one of the following four categories: Internship, Part-time Position, Volunteer Position, or Summer Job.

Service Learning – students must complete four service learning projects, such as an alternative Spring Break, Student Volunteer position at GCC, or Student Leadership position at GCC.

LEAD 206: Leadership Certificate Portfolio.

  • Over the course of three sessions, students develop an electronic or E-portfolio. Student Development Series Presentations take place during common hours and evenings and students choose 10 on-campus or online sessions from the following seven modules: LIFE, Business and Commerce, Cross Cultural, Volunteerism and Service Leadership, Professional, Transitions, and Financial Wellness.

"Leadership is key to the future of individuals, organizations, communities and nations," Jennifer Newell, dean of Students at Genesee said. "Organizations in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors are moving away from traditional management functions toward models of employee empowerment based on various leadership models. We want to prepare students to not only be dynamic in their future workplaces, but effectively serve their communities as well."

To find out more contact Newell at 343-0055, ext. 6314, or jmnewell@genesee.edu.

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