Students need all the help they can get when applying for those big time positions after college. The Leadership Certificate Program is one of the most advantageous ways to build outstanding career skills and leadership qualities just in time to impress future employers.
"The Leadership Certificate Program has almost 300 students registered," said Melanie Bentley-Cruz, a leadership programming coordinator with the Center for Student Leadership & Community Engagement. "There are no special requirements to join except the desire to learn, interest in becoming a leader, and the urge to make a difference in the community."
According to Marilys Colon, a junior business major, it's a good addition to a resume that not only develops better academic habits, but also prepares students to be highly qualified leaders for the future in careers and personal life.
"I'm in the midst of completing the program, and I also help other students as a leadership adviser," Colon said. "I absolutely love the way in which everyone here works and interacts with everyone else and how we learn different leadership styles."
According to Hope Banks, a sophomore anthropology major, leadership advisers work with students to formulate a schedule that allows for options in order to help them accomplish the program as soon as possible.
"The reason this program is valuable is because it just keeps spreading great qualities and helps people on their way through college," Banks said. "You can't do it all through classes, and this is a great way to supplement your educational life."
Schedules involve participating in activities such as programs, workshops, community service and classes, according to Bentley-Cruz.
"First, students come to our office and set up a leadership consultation with a leadership adviser, and through that meeting they will develop a startup plan based on interests, and what the student would like to learn," Bentley-Cruz said. "Once they have a startup plan, participants can begin fulfilling requirements."
For the Leadership Certificate Program, there are three main areas of interest: training, education and development.
"We offer pre-scheduled Life and Learning workshops, as well as Outreach workshops," Bentley-Cruz said. "These include anything from UB 101 classes to workshops that clubs and organizations request from us, and team building or conflict resolution workshops."
According to William Blassingame, a junior finance and international business major, students can learn their leadership strengths; what they need to work on and the process of leading others in these workshops.
As for service opportunities, students can choose from one-day events on or off campus, as well as continuous opportunities. These activities include Helping the Heights, Saturdays of Service, UB Pride, and Service Day, according to Bentley-Cruz.
"Once students have completed the requirements, they come in for a final meeting where we look through reflections, discuss what was learned and if they are still interested in learning," Bentley-Cruz said. "Then we create a portfolio from the reflections and an activity transcript."
A student who successfully completes the process will be invited to the Pillars of Leadership Recognition Ceremony, recognized for their achievements and receive a certificate, according to Bentley-Cruz.
"We actually had a student that completed the certificate, put it on her resume, and an employer asked her to describe what she had learned," Bentley-Cruz said. "As a result of the portfolio, she was able to recently recall what she had learned and what new skills she could bring into that new position."
Advisers and further information can be found at the Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement in 235 Student Union.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
