Kirby Student Center

The UMD Leadership Certification

What it is: The Kirby Leadership Institute now offers the UMD Leadership Certification, with registration and workshops beginning Fall semester of 2007. The undergraduate level program highlights an understanding of leadership concepts and behaviors, civic responsibility, communication and change.

Participation in the program will assist students with their leadership goals by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and tools to:

Who can participate?: The UMD Leadership Certification program is open to any interested, motivated undergraduate student at UMD. It combines academic coursework with community involvement, leadership workshops and seminars, and self and group reflection.

Benefits: Employers and graduate schools are searching for individuals who can demonstrate leadership skills and abilities. Students will participate in a structured experience that is very well documented, rigorous, and relevant. They will make contact with students, faculty, staff, administrators and community leaders who may become mentors, friends and future employers. Students will build an impressive leadership resume on the Leadership Portfolio wizard, which will highlight their leadership skills, their academic leadership coursework, and their 250 hours of civic engagement internship experience. The Leadership Resume can be shared with future employers (or a graduate school admissions committee) either electronically or in print.

How do I earn UMD Leadership Certification?
1. Register. You will be personally contacted, given all of the materials you need, and have your questions answered. You may register electronically, or, if you prefer, you may register in person. Contact Joie Acheson: 218-726-8740 or jacheson@d.umn.edu for more information.

2. Attend the emerging leaders workshops / lectures of your choosing.

Document 20 hours of leadership workshops / seminars / symposia on your UMD Leadership Portfolio. If you are lacking in portfolio skills, we can arrange training for you.

3. Successfully complete 250 hours of a community leadership internship or volunteer position. Casey LaCore, Director of the Office of Civic Engagement on the UMD campus, will assist students in finding a good match. It is possible to have other UMD internships count towards the certification, with prior approval.

4. Take the Leadership Core Courses. To earn the certification, there are several core courses that are required. The College of Liberal Arts will offer three new leadership classes at the undergraduate level, beginning Spring semester 2008.
In addition to those three leadership classes, students must complete a communications class, and the Cultural Competency Seminar Series. (see list below)

5. Talk about your leadership experiences with other leadership candidates
Participate in a discussion / reflection once per semester with other leadership students.

Receiving a Certificate of Completion: Most students will finish the requirements in about two years. Upon successful completion, the UMD Leadership Portfolio will contain complete documentation of the student's academic coursework in leadership studies, a brief review of each Emerging Leaders Workshop attended (20 hours minimum), documentation of the student's 250 hours of community internship / volunteer work, and several written reflections on the leadership training process. This Portfolio will then become a Leadership Resume for each student, and may also be shared electronically with future employers. Each student will also recieve a certificate of completion.

We believe that each student at UMD has the capacity to effectively lead with integrity, and that this capacity can be developed over time through disciplined practice and learning. A commitment to leadership development is a lifetime journey.