Sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs in conjunction with the
Howard University Student Association (HUSA)
Freshman Leadership Academy
The Freshman Leadership Academy (FLA) was created to expose 1st year students to the
specific duties, responsibilities, opportunities and challenges associated with all aspects
of student leadership. The Academy is open to all freshmen and transfer students at the
university and is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
The Academy program consists of three parts: bi-monthly workshops, a case study
competition, and mentorship from upperclassmen student leaders. As a result of
participating in the Freshman Leadership Academy students will:
1. Be able to identify all constitutional and implied responsibilities of student
leaders;
2. Increase their knowledge of resource allocation, common expenditures, and other
funding opportunities available on campus;
3. Be able to identify all mid-level and senior level administrators, their duties, and
how their office directly impacts students;
4. Be able to relate what they are learning and experiencing to the leadership
experience and its effect on underrepresented student populations (international,
transfer, off-campus, etc);
5. Be able to identify, build, and engage in healthy working relationships;
6. Learn how to identify how Howard has historically handled challenges, and be
able to research how other schools deal with the same challenges;
7. Formulate a plan to improve specific components within the student government
structure.
Mission
The mission of the Freshman Leadership Academy is to develop individual leadership
skills in a group environment through developmental training, service opportunities, and
relationship building.
Case Studies and Group Projects
One purpose of the Academy is to develop students who are critical thinkers and exhibit
strong leadership attributes. Every month, students will test their leadership skills and
knowledge attained from the academy as they compete in case study competitions and
group projects with their peers.
Workshops
An integral part of the Academy is the development of leadership skills through the
attainment of knowledge. Each participant will be required to attend specific workshops
twice a month for two hours. The structure of each workshop will include the
identification of a major issue affecting students, interactive exchange related to
productive solutions, and a lesson on leadership. Some of the topics that will be discussed
include:
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Leadership 101 - What is leadership? An introduction and exploration of various
leadership models and their practical application.
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Communication 101 - The importance of both verbal and non-verbal
communication for effective leadership.
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Conflict 101 – Maintaining conflict effectively to maintain positive relationships
and affect change. Also, take a simple inventory to determine what role you
typically play in conflicts.
Selling Your Leadership Skills 101 – No one will follow you if they don’t believe
in your leadership skills. After you know what leadership is and identify your
leadership styles, it’s time to learn how to sell those skills to others
Time Management – Serving as a student leader demands time, energy, and
resources that may have an adverse impact on other areas of your life as student.
Learn how to balance it all.
Service Leadership – One of the most important aspects of leadership is service.
Learn why having the heart of a servant will propel you to new levels of
leadership.
Working in Groups - Leadership is transactional. Learn why the ability to work
with others will be more important than your own individual skills as a leader.
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New for 2011-2012
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Issue Based Field Organizing - What does it take to turn passion in the office
into action in the field? The biggest opponent of advocacy is the failure to
properly plan and organize. Students will learn about transforming passion
surrounding issues and turning it into an effective movement.
Financial/Human Capital Campaigns – “We can't find institutional financial
support.” “I don't really know who is the right person for the job.” Student
leaders are faced with these difficult roadblocks on a consistent basis. Learn the
art of fundraising, corporate sponsorship, and grant writing. Learn how to pick
the perfect keynote speaker for an event or applicant to fill a vacant position.
With these tools, leaders will breeze through two of the most common problems
student leaders face.
Policy Research & Development - Every great idea isn't a realistic one. Many
times students, because of lack of technical training, fail to turn great ideas into
realistic execution. The most important part of being a student leader is
understanding how the university works vis-o-vis program/policy/initiative
research and development. Learn about topics such as risk management, cost
benefit analysis (per student cost), budget analysis and development, ProgramUniversity Policy alignment, etc. Participants will go into meetings with
administrators equipped with polished ideas and effectively discuss proposed
programs/initiatives in a professional manner
All workshops will be facilitated by a current student leader, student affairs professional,
professor, or community leader either from Howard University or a partner university.
Mentorship
One key to attaining leadership skills is cultivating a healthy relationship with someone
who is in the position that you want to be in. We will match each freshman with an
upperclassman from each of the following areas (depending on interest):
HUSA President, VP & Cabinet
Hilltop and Bison Yearbook Staff
School and College Council E-Board
Mr. and Miss Howard University
Members of General Assembly
Homecoming Steering Committee
To ensure success of the mentorship program, we will work directly with each student
leader to identify opportunities for their mentees to experience different aspects of their
jobs, including attendance at staff and e-board meeting, office hours, and attendance at
events with their mentors. Students will also travel to other schools in the area
(Georgetown, UMD, American, etc) to observe how their student governments are
structured and how the functions of their student leaders mirror or differ from those at
Howard.
Cost
Along with their application and refundable application fee ($10), students will also be
asked to submit a money order for $25 (made payable to Howard University) to cover the
cost of their oxford and food for the retreat upon acceptance. The only other cost
associated with the program for the students is metro fare to surrounding schools and the
amount they will be asked to personally raise for the international cultural experience.
FALL 2011 FRESHMAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY APPLICATION
INSTRUCTIONS: If you are interested in being a part of the Freshman Leadership
Academy, please complete all sections below. Upon completion, please return application
to the HUSA office, located in Suite 102 of the Blackburn Center. Applications are due
no later than 4:00 PM on Friday, September 2nd, 2011. Please attach a resume, cover
letter and $10.00 money order with your application in a manila folder.
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Address (Dorm Name)_____________________________________________________
Primary Phone: __________________
School/College:_______________________
Primary E-mail Address: __________________________________________________
T-Shirt Size: Small _____ Medium _____ Large _____ X-Large _____ Other _____
1. Please describe your previous leadership experience.
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2. What makes you a good candidate for the HU Freshman Leadership Academy?
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3. Based on what you know about student leadership at Howard University, what position
would you be interested in attaining? (Select all that apply)
_____ Executive Leadership (HUSA President, Student Council President)
_____ Programming (Undergraduate Student Assembly, Homecoming, Radio, WHUT)
______ Board Membership (Trustee, Policy Boards)
______ Financial (Financial Advisor – HUSA, Treasurer – Homecoming)
______ Representative Leadership (Mr./Miss Howard University, Royal Court)
4. What is your greatest leadership quality? What trait would you like to be developed by
the Academy?
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5. What other activities do you currently participate in, or do you plan on joining this
semester?
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Signature
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Date