Examples of Possible STEP Leadership Projects
STEP students choosing to do the Leadership option as their experience are welcome
to create their own projects. Below are some of examples of what a project focused on
this experience might look like.
Create Your Own Leadership Experience – Curricular Option
Enroll in a 3–credit hour course offered through the Leadership Minor sequence http://ohiounion.osu.edu/get_involved/csls/courses AND devote 30 hours in a semester to
leadership development opportunities (average of 2 hours/week). These opportunities might
include serving as an officer in an organization, shadowing an university or community leader,
going to multiple workshops on leadership, etc.
Create Your Own Leadership Experience - Co-Curricular Option
Students who cannot work in a 3-credit hour course or who do not wish to incur the cost of
additional credit hours beyond an 18-hour load may opt for a co-curricular equivalent.
These experiences can take many different forms but must include: 30 hours in a semester
devoted to leadership development opportunities (average of 2 hours/week). These
opportunities might include serving as an officer in an organization, shadowing an university or
community leader, going to multiple workshops on leadership, etc. AND attendance at 4 – 5
Intentional Leadership STEP Reflections sessions offered by the Ohio Union
Contact: Matt Van Jura, vanjura.1@osu.edu
The following leadership experiences are packaged to count as a complete STEP
Leadership Experience:
STEP Student Ambassador – Apply to be a STEP Student Ambassador and
assist with the many aspects of the STEP Initiative including: recruiting new STEP
students for 204-15; assisting with the planning and implementation of events
associated with STEP; assisting faculty members with planning for co-hort and
house meetings; leading reflection sessions. Students are asked to apply for this
experience. Students selected for this experience will be required to take a
Leadership course offered by OSU.
Contact: Vicki Pitstick, Pitstick.10@osu.edu
SOLE - The Second-year Outdoor Leadership Experience (SOLE) will take place
July 9-22, 2014, on the famous John Muir Trail in the breathtaking Yosemite
Valley/California High Sierra Mountains. The program aims to engage students in
authentic leadership challenges by focusing on backcountry expedition travel,
alongside a balance between didactic and experiential learning in a variety of
leadership topics, group and individual feedback, and reflection which will enhance
transference of skills to student leadership roles on campus. Students are asked to
apply for this experience.
Contact: Tyler Young, young.1729@osu.edu
Leadershape - Attend a 6-day Ohio State campus-based LeaderShape Institute:
http://leadershape.osu.edu/ and implement vision plan developed at LeaderShape throughout
the following academic year. Students are asked to apply for this experience.
Contact: Matt Van Jura, vanjura.1@osu.edu
Leadership in France – Accompany Dr. Amy Barnes to France for an intensive experience
focusing on entrepreneurship and leadership. The Entrepreneurial Spark is a 3-week course
that focuses on developing skills necessary for entrepreneurship and leadership. The program
emphasizes self-knowledge, talent development, and creativity/innovation. The summer
session is available to international students from around the world and will be taught in English.
Over the three week period, there are 100 hours of contact time in classes, workshops,
company visits, and cultural excursions. Students are encouraged to keep a journal and will
have some group work outside of class sessions. Through participating in this program, you will
have the opportunity to learn about leadership, creativity, and entrepreneurship alongside
students from around the globe. Substantial cost involved with this experience.
Contact: Amy Barnes, barnes.269@osu.edu
Buckeye Leadership Fellows - During the required two-year commitment to BLF, students
extend their reach beyond the classroom combining critical thinking with real world action. Ohio
State alumni and community leaders lead the way by providing students with challenging
experiences and real world opportunities. Current second-year students at The Ohio State
University-Columbus Campus who are interested in taking a multidisciplinary approach to
personal and professional development should apply to the Buckeye Leadership Fellows
Program. Please visit our application to learn more about requirements for involvement as a
Fellow.
Contact: http://blf.osu.edu/
The Strengths Based Coaching Program - Based on the Gallup Organization’s
StrengthsFinder assessment and theory of Strengths-based Leadership, the program
encourages students to think critically about their personal strengths and how those affect their
approach to campus involvement, academic coursework, career plans, and personal goals.
Students will have an opportunity to think reflectively about their time at Ohio State and create
an action plan to carry them through graduation and beyond. Students are asked to apply to
this program.
Contact: Amy Barnes, barnes.269@osu.edu
Note: Leadership Programs Domestic and Abroad – An internet search for leadership programs
for college students can supply a multitude of other options for experiences and opportunities
for students to use their STEP funds.
The Leadership Staff at the Ohio Union staff (247-8431) and STEP staff (292-5732) are
happy to assist with any of these suggested projects.