utgers Leadership
Academy
Mission Statement
The mission of the Rutgers Leadership Academy is to equip studentathletes with the skills necessary to achieve success during and after their
collegiate careers by providing them with opportunities for career,
academic and personal development.
Vision Statement
To positively impact the lives of Rutgers student-athletes while in the
constant pursuit of career, academic and personal success.
One goal, one vision, one word:
Leade ship
OVERVIEW
RLA History & R Core Values
Founded in 2009, the Rutgers Leadership Academy (RLA) is a donor-funded
initiative designed to support Rutgers Athletics in its mission to create an
environment of excellence where student-athletes will develop the skills
necessary to achieve success both during and after their college careers.
Once called, “Life Skills,” the RLA was developed to meet the unique needs of
today’s college graduate who must not only have a strong undergraduate
education, but also be ready to enter an increasingly competitive and
ever-changing job market that requires tangible and marketable skills,
savviness, sound judgment and plenty of resilience.
The Leadership Academy also reflects the belief that the individuals who
choose to attend and represent Rutgers are members of a community that lasts
well beyond one’s years “On the Banks.” As printed on its uniforms and
blazoned on the facility walls, Rutgers is about F.A.M.I.L.Y, and as such, the
Leadership Academy aims to instill into each student-athlete the Athletic
Department’s core values of accountability, respect, integrity, academic
achievement, community service, fairness, diversity and sportsmanship.
RLA Programming
The RLA provides year-round programming tailored to the student-athletes’
varied needs according to their graduation class, academic goals and career
interests. First year students, for example, can participate in classes on
effective study skills and financial literacy, while upperclassmen receive
one-on-one career counseling and take part in networking events.
One goal, one vision, one word:
Leade ship
Dress 4 Success
CAREER
DEVELOPMENT
Video Mock Interviews
Knight of Networking
Career Fairs
Career Panels
Additional Career Programming:
Resume & Cover Letter Prep
Career Field Trips
Career Inventory Test
LinkedIn & CareerKnight
Individual Career Planning Sessions
Professional Mentoring & Job Shadowing
One goal, one vision, one word:
Leade ship
Game T heory
ACADEMIC
DEVELOPMENT
Time Management
Graduate School Prep
Core Values Workshop
Additional Academic Resources:
Summer Bridge Program
Study Hall
Tutors
Freshmen Orientation
Comprehensive Academic Support Services
Student-Athlete of the Month
Computer Labs
One goal, one vision, one word:
Leade ship
Civic Engagement
PERSONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
Personal Branding
Workshop
3-Day Leadership Workshop
Additional Personal Enrichment:
Financial Management
Center for Alcohol Studies
Making Healthy Choices
SCREAM Athletes
Behavioral Assessment (DiSC)
Athlete Ally
Elijah’s Promise Soup Kitchen
Believe Bowl
Embrace Kids Foundation
Dance Marathon
March of Dimes
Read Across America
Habitat for Humanity
Team Impact
Back 2 School Supply Drive
Toy & Book Drive
and countless more...
Additional
Civic
Events:
One goal, one vision, one word:
Leade ship
LEADERSHIP AWARD
Academics
Rutgers Leadership Award
The Rutgers Leadership Award is presented to the male and
female student-athletes who have demonstrated exceptional
leadership qualities as students, athletes
and citizens during the academic year.
Calculated through a numeric grading
system, student-athletes earn points for
their achievements and contributions in 6
specific areas: Academics, University,
Career, Personal, Athletics, and
Community.
The winning recipients are identified by
July 31st of each year, and they are
Amy Zhang
invited to attend a home football game 2011 Leadership Award
to receive their awards during a halftime
Recipient
presentation.
Points
NCAA Post Grad Awards
400
4.0 GPA
400
3.9 GPA
350
3.8 GPA
3.7 GPA
325
300
3.5 GPA (Dean’s List)
200
3.3 GPA
150
3.0 GPA
100
University
SAAC Executive Board
250
University Club Board Member
250
Special Event/Honor
SAAC Member
150
150
University Club Member
150
Career
Career Forum
200
Knight of Networking
200
Career Fair
Career Panel
200
150
Video Mock Interview
150
Individual Career Plan/Resume Session
100
Personal
James Plummer
2013 Leadership Award
Recipient
Stephanie Zielinski
2013 Leadership Award
Recipient
Past Winners:
2011 - Amy Zhang (W.Tennis)
2012 - Ben Forrest & Morgan Ivey (M.Track & W.Tennis)
2013 - James Plummer & Stephanie Zielinski (M.Track &
Volleyball)
Contact Us:
Shawn Tucker
Assistant Athletic Director / Student-Athlete Development
stucker@scarletknights.com
Sheryl Spain
Program Coordinator / Student-Athlete Development
sspain@scarletknights.com
One goal, one vision, one word
LEADE SHIP
Leadership Workshop
200
Summer Bridge Workshop
150
DiSC Workshop
150
Health & Well-Being Workshop
100
Financial Management
100
SCREAM Athlete’s Performance
100
Athletics
1st Team All-American
350
All-American Honor
275
Captain
200
1st Team All-Conference
200
All-Conference Honor
150
Weekly Honors
125
Attend Red Alert Game
100
Student-Athlete of the Month
100
Civic Engagement
25+ Hours *
400
250
10+ Hours*
5+ Hours*
100
2+ Hours*
50
*Cumulative for 2013-2014 school year
RUTGERS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
2013-2014
FRESHMEN
CURRICULUM
DEVELOPMENT
PERSONAL
DEVELOPMENT
JUNIOR
 Individual Career Meeting
 Company Spotlight
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Individual Career Meeting
Company Spotlight
Resume Building
Career Shadowing
Knight of Networking
Career Forum
Career Panels
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Individual Career Meeting
Company Spotlight
Resume Building
Career Shadowing
Knight of Networking
Career Forum
Career Panels
Career Fairs
LinkedIn
Internships
Video Mock Interview
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Study Hall (10 Hours)
Grades First
Tutors
Learning Assistant
Summer Bridge
New Student Orientation
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Identify Major Fair
Study Hall (Based on GPA)
Tutors
Learning Assistant
Supplemental Instruction
SA of the Month
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Game Theory
Time Management
Goal Setting
Health & Wellness
Financial Management
SCREAM Athletes
*Anti-Bullying Campaign*
Welcome Back Picnic
Community Service
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Game Theory
Time Management
Goal Setting
Health & Wellness
Financial Management
SCREAM Athletes
*Anti-Bullying Campaign*
Welcome Back Picnic
Community Service
SAAC
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Major Declared
Study Hall (Based on GPA)
Tutors
Learning Assistant
Supplemental Instruction
SA of the Month
Graduate School Panel
Game Theory
Health & Wellness
Financial Management
SCREAM Athletes
*Anti-Bullying Campaign*
Welcome Back Picnic
Community Service
SAAC
Mentoring
SAAC 3-Day Leadership
Workshop
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
ACADEMIC
SOPHOMORE
SENIOR
ALUMNI
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Individual Career Meeting
Company Spotlight
Resume Building
Career Shadowing
Knight of Networking
Career Forum
Career Panels
Career Fairs
LinkedIn
Internships
Video Mock Interview
Full Time Position
Study Hall (Based on GPA)
Tutors
Learning Assistant
Supplemental Instruction
SA of the Month
Graduate School Panel
 Email Server
 Alumni Network
 Participate as Professional at
Career events.
 Provide internships and
shadowing opportunities.
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Game Theory
Health & Wellness
Financial Management
SCREAM Athletes
*Anti-Bullying Campaign*
Welcome Back Picnic
Community Service
SAAC
Mentoring
SAAC 3-Day Leadership
Workshop
 SAAC Alumni
 Kaplan Test Prep (Continuing
Education)
 Letter of Recommendation