Leadership

Mission

Student Affairs and Student Leadership and Involvement encourage student involvement in leadership opportunities that promote individual and group development in the areas of interpersonal communication, teamwork, leadership, ethics, civic responsibility and global/cultural awareness.

Goals

  • Develop students to be educated leaders and citizens offering inclusive leadership training, emphasizing leadership skills development and experiential learning congruent with the mission of Michigan Tech and Student Affairs.
  • Deliver programs and services to all student populations and organizations in areas of group development, teambuilding, problem solving, social responsibility, leadership styles, communication skills, diversity and global awareness.
  • Collaborate with students, alumni, faculty/staff in designing and offering leadership education.
  • Recognize and reward students for leadership contributions to the campus/community.

Student leaders at Michigan Tech are distinguished by persistence, a positive attitude, high academic achievement, and pride in creating a sustainable and socially responsible world. To become the best leaders they can be, student leaders at Michigan Tech also need to understand the foundations of leadership, develop a set of personal leadership competencies, and accelerate leadership learning through active, hands-on leadership opportunities.

Leadership competencies develop in multiple environments. To value those environments and develop the complete leader, Michigan Tech encourages student leaders to engage in meaningful activities and reflection at three levels:

Self-Awareness Working in Groups or Teams Society/Community
Competency development in:
  • Self-awareness and appraisal
  • Foundations of Leadership
Competency development in:
  • Communication Skills
  • Collaboration and Teamwork Skills
  • Conflict Management and Power
Competency development in:
  • Ethical Principles
  • Civic Engagement
  • Social Responsibility/ Sustainability
  • Appreciation of Diversity


Opportunities for discovery and application are critical to a student’s full comprehension of new ideas and experiences. Leadership development at Michigan Tech emphasizes both the process of discovery and the process of application of leadership principles.

Discovery/Learning This process engages students in meaningful education to understand their own effective approaches to leadership, and how to use relevant programs, activities, and theoretical frameworks to better understand the principles behind effective leadership.
Application/Doing This process places students in meaningful experiences and encourages them to apply their understanding of ideas about leadership. Intentional reflection and mentoring will guide students through the application phase of the program.