CSLD Mission
The University of South Florida is dedicated to preparing students for leadership roles in a global society. Regardless of academic study or professional pursuit, each student has the capacity to build their leadership skills and enhance their effectiveness in all areas of life.
The CENTER FOR STUDENT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT will educate, train, and develop USF students to be citizens of strong character and effective leaders for our global communities. The Center strives to assist each student with maximizing their own capacity and aspiration for leadership, and will also assist organizations with enhancing their effectiveness through the use of leadership practices.
Conferences...
Rising Leaders Summit
September 13-14, 2008
Seeking sophomores and juniors who desire to be better student leaders at USF! If you attend the Rising Leaders Symposium, you will better prepare yourself to make an impact on campus. This weekend leadership development experience is a USF tradition. Past participants of the Institute went on to be Student Body Presidents, Campus Activities Board Directors, Homecoming E-Board members, student organization leaders, and Golden Bull Award recipients. Check back for more information.
Emerging Leaders Institute
January 24-25, 2009
Seeking outstanding students to take part in the Emerging Leaders Institute. This Institute prepares first year students to take on leadership roles at USF. It will be a fun, interactive experience that will take place at Lake Aurora Retreat Center in Lake Wales, FL. Meals, transportation, and lodging is all included free of charge for the 50 chosen participants.
First Year Students will:
- Gain a greater understanding of leadership as a concept and practice
- Create a comfort and desire to seek out leadership opportunities on campus and in the community
- Meet many people and make lasting friendships
WHAT THE CSLD OFFERS YOU:
Trainings, institutes, conferences, speakers, and other learning experiences that will teach you relevant and current principles of leadership.
Consultation for Student Organizations and Groups
Need assistance training your members? Is your group facing particular challenges that could require some help? We are glad to meet with leaders to discuss their organization and help develop plans for trainings or workshops. Let us be your leadership consultants!
Emerging Leaders Institute
2-day institute for first-year students. Learn the fundamentals of leadership so that you are better prepared to be involved on campus. Facilitators are current student leaders on campus which is a great chance to learn from peers!
Rising Leaders Summit
2-day leadership experience for sophomores and juniors who are already involved but want to maximize their leadership knowledge and skills so they can take on USF's top student leader positions.
Senior Leaders Academy
2-day intensive leadership experience for USF's most experienced student leaders. Participants will explore higher-level leadership philosophies and have the chance to interact with some of the University's and Tampa Bay's outstanding professionals to discuss leadership.
LEAD Week
(co-sponsored with the USF Leadership House)
A celebration of leadership at USF. Activities, speakers, and campaigns will highlight the importance of leadership and each individual's ability to discover the leader within him or herself. Coming this spring!
A Leadership Library full of resources on many topics including:
- Leadership Styles and Strategies
- Team-Building
- Recruiting and Retaining Members
- Effective Communication
- Project Management
- Conflict Resolution
- Writing Mission Statements
- Customer Service Skills
- Running Effective Meetings
- Risk Management
- And much more!
The CSLD Team
Jennifer Espinola
Jennifer is a proud Alumna of USF and was a very active student leader herself. She went on to law school at the University of Miami and focused on Education and Administrative Law. She has worked 9 years in Student Affairs with different responsibilities, but leadership development has always been her passion.
Jennifer has created, presented, and facilitated hundreds of leadership development programs to students and staff at colleges and universities across the country and is proud to serve as the first Director of USF's Center for Student Leadership Development. She also enjoys teaching courses in the Leadership Studies program at USF. Jennifer's goal is to help the entire USF community understand the power and benefits of learning, developing and practicing principles of leadership so that each person can find their capacity and desire to lead.
John Harris
Student Coordinator for Leadership Programs
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Harold McAlindon