SECOND-YEAR TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
SIGNATURE PROJECT GUIDELINES - LEADERSHIP
The STEP Signature Project in Leadership
The study of leadership is integral to students at Ohio State becoming global citizens who will
make significant positive contributions to society. While many students hold leadership
positions during college, fewer benefit from the knowledge of leadership theory that helps to
develop their self-awareness, capacity to understand change, and ability to work effectively with
others. As a part of STEP at Ohio State, our goal is to provide students with more intentional
leadership development opportunities that focus on these ideas and a relational approach to
leadership as opposed to a positional view.
STEP Signature Project in Leadership Guidelines
STEP Leadership Signature Projects should allow you to:
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Explore your individual, group, and community values
Increase your levels of self-awareness
Increase your capacity to work collaboratively with others
Leverage your leadership skills to create change for the common good
International Leadership Opportunities
STEP students who wish to undertake their STEP Signature Project (any category) in an
international location must do so via participation on one of the following Ohio State-managed
international experiences:
Credit-bearing options
Approved Ohio State study abroad programming is carefully developed and/or selected by an
academic unit in consultation with the Offices of International Affairs and Global Business. Ohio
State study abroad programs yield graded credit, allow students to maintain enrollment, and
retain access to use of their financial aid. In addition to strong academic oversight, all Ohio
State-approved study abroad programming is administered with a high priority given to issues of
student health and safety.
Office of International Affairs (OIA)-managed study abroad programs: http://oia.osu.edu/gettingstarted/search-programs.html
Fisher College of Business—Office of Global Business:
http://fisher.osu.edu/international/undergraduate/
Non-credit bearing options
The Office of Student life develops and implements programs that foster student learning and
development, enhance the educational experience, and prepare students for their chosen
professions and to be contributing members of a diverse global society. Offerings are backed by
research and supported by data in order to respond to and anticipate evolving student needs.
The Student Life staff is well-trained, and initiatives are designed to help students transition into
and through college and prepare them for a lifetime of learning and contribution. Programming
opportunities complement and enhance the academic curricula and help students overcome
obstacles.
Buck-I-SERV: http://buckiserv.osu.edu/
Buckeye Leadership Fellows Program: http://blf.osu.edu/
Office of Student Life—Outdoor Adventure Center: https://recsports.osu.edu/facilities/outdooradventure-center-oac
STEP fellowship funds may not be used for international experiences sponsored by
student organizations.
Next Steps
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Talk to your STEP Faculty Member about how Leadership fits with your academic,
career and life goals
Find examples of possible STEP Leadership Projects at
http://ohiounion.osu.edu/get_involved/leadership and consider the following:
o What is the academic component of your proposal?
(http://leadershipcenter.osu.edu/about-us/leadership-studies-minor)
o How will your leadership project enable you to make a positive
contribution/impact to a community?
o How will you incorporate reflection throughout the project? Examples could
include: maintaining a journal, consistent interaction with a leadership mentor,
reflection through creative expression, etc.
Talk with a faculty or staff member who may provide guidance on different ways to
package a STEP leadership project – Possible Contacts: Keith B. Key Center for
Student Leadership & Service, Matt VanJura (vanjura.1@osu.edu); Leadership Minor
Studies, Dr. Amy Barnes (barnes.269@osu.edu) or STEP Office, Vicki Pitstick
(Pitstick.10@osu.edu)
Complete your STEP proposal, budget and leadership supplemental document found on
the following pages
A Completed STEP Signature Project Leadership Proposal will include:
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Proposal
Budget
Leadership Supplemental Document
Fellowship Disbursement
For projects occurring in May of 2015, the approved fellowship amount will post to your university
statement of account approximately May 11th and be applied toward the balance due. If your
balance is less than the amount of your STEP fellowship and any other loans, grants, and/or
scholarships you may receive for that term, you will be able to receive the excess balance (or
“refund”). In order to access your refund, you will need to set up a direct deposit into your
personal bank account otherwise the Bursar’s Office will mail you a check. You do not have to
establish a bank account locally to use direct deposit; refunds may be electronically transferred
to any bank in the United States. To set up direct deposit, go to buckeyelink.osu.edu. Once
enrolled, the direct deposit service will continue every semester.
For projects occurring during a later term, your fellowship will be disbursed approximately 45
days prior to the start of the project.
Please note: Prior to disbursement of the fellowship, STEP administration will verify faculty
certification of completion for all STEP program requirements.
Project Reflection and Reporting Back
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Students will be asked to reflect on their project through a reflective essay they will post
on U.OSU.
Students will also be required to report back to the university by presenting at the STEP
Expo or another approved public demonstration.
STEP Signature Project in Leadership Supplemental Document
Please answer the following questions regarding your intended project:
1. Please describe the planned leadership development to be performed in this project.
2. Please describe what you believe to be three qualities most necessary for effective
leadership. Describe how your plan to pursue leadership development will help you learn or
refine those qualities.
3. How do you plan to reflect on and make connections between concepts and skills you have
learned in an academic setting and your involvement in leadership development programs
4. Please describe how you plan to evaluate your growth as a leader and ability to apply this
learning in future contexts.
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Signature of STEP Student
Date