The Leadership team within the Student Engagement office hosts a variety of programs intended to strengthen students’ leadership capabilities and build their portfolio of skills. Our leadership programs were created to cultivate and support those students interested in motivating and leading others while at Syracuse University and beyond.
Leadership Development Programs
RSO Re-Registration
The Student Engagement office’s Recognized Student Organization (RSO) re-registration process strives to create meaningful opportunities for student leaders to learn and develop leadership skills. Through a series of required trainings and workshops, we aim to set our students up with the tools to succeed both within their organizations and in their personal and professional endeavors.
44 Stars of Excellence Leadership Awards
The 44 Stars of Excellence Leadership Awards acknowledge student leaders, advisors, and Recognized Student Organizations who demonstrate outstanding dedication and commitment to their organization and its mission. Students, faculty and staff are invited annually to submit nominations for the awards.
| Award | Description |
|---|---|
| The Orange Impact Award | Presented to student leaders who have demonstrated outstanding efforts in promoting social justice and raising awareness for community causes. Nominees are acknowledged for their commitment to understanding social issues and for planning and implementing community impact projects. |
| The Rising Star Award | Presented to an individual who has played a key role in helping their organization achieve success. Although not in a formal leadership position, this person consistently goes above and beyond the expectations of a general member. |
| The DEIA Advocate Award | Presented to student leaders who have demonstrated a sincere commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion through advocacy and awareness on campus and in the broader community. Nominees consistently demonstrate awareness towards equity and accessibility within their leadership efforts. |
| Excellence in Campus Collaboration: Staff Spotlight | Presented to a staff member who recognizes that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and works to unite University stakeholders toward a shared purpose. This individual excels in fostering collaboration, bringing diverse groups together to enhance the student experience and drive meaningful outcomes across the campus community. |
| Excellence in Campus Collaboration: Student Spotlight | Presented to a student leader who recognizes that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and works to unite University stakeholders toward a shared purpose. This individual excels in fostering collaboration, bringing together diverse groups to collectively enhance the student experience and create a positive impact across the campus community. |
| Excellence in Innovation: Event/Initiative Spotlight | Presented to student leaders that have created a new event or initiative for the first time this academic year. These leaders demonstrate a conscious effort to promote, plan, implement, and introduce innovative programs/initiatives that have not been addressed by previous planning or organizations. |
| Excellence in Innovation: Organization Spotlight | Presented to recognized student organizations that Presented to a newly established student organization. This organization made a deliberate and thoughtful effort to identify a unique need or interest within the campus community, taking the initiative to create a space for students to connect, engage, and contribute. |
| Excellence in Student Leadership | Presented to a student leader who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and service to their student organization or the campus community. Leaders should have demonstrated positive change and excellence in leadership within their role and within the Syracuse University community. |
| Excellence in Student Leadership: Senior Spotlight | Presented to graduating seniors who have demonstrated dedication to developing themselves, others, and the University through their involvement and leadership in the classroom, in student organizations, and in other facets of student life. These students are strong academically, active in the community, and serve as role models to their peers. |
| 44 Stars Award: Advisor of the Year | Presented to an advisor who demonstrates exceptional dedication to an organization through mentorship, active support of programs and events, and ensuring seamless leadership transitions within the organization. |
| 44 Stars Award: RSO of the Year | Presented to a recognized student organization that has contributed to offering an unsurpassed student experience. This RSO has demonstrated excellence in collaboration with their advisor, Student Engagement, and other governing offices they regularly work with. The RSO of the Year has also provided equitable opportunities for all students to engage with the organization, fostering a positive campus culture. |
The Leadership Challenge
The Leadership Challenge is a program intended to reward Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) for their dedication and participation on campus. This program provides opportunities for organizations to invest in their leadership and organizational development through a series of tasks involving workshops, leadership training, campus events, and more. RSOs will complete different activities to advance in the star system.
The Leadership Challenge was created to ensure that student organization leaders are properly equipped to lead their organizations successfully and to utilize all available resources on campus. The goals of this program are to:
- Recognize and award student organizations for their involvement and outreach on campus,
- Help student organizations achieve their goals,
- Develop leadership skills and knowledge of students in the RSO community,
- Ensure that RSOs are aware of university policies, procedures, and resources,
- Promote responsibility, respect, and positive experiences through student organizations.
This program provides organization leaders with information on the policies and requirements associated with RSOs on campus, an in-depth overview of ‘Cuse Activities, and effective strategies to succeed as a student leader at Syracuse University.
The Leadership Challenge will be open from August 23, 2024, to April 29, 2025, for the 2024-2025 academic year. Completing the necessary requirements will determine the organizations’ star status and funding tier for years to come.
Executive Board members have been designated to participate in the Leadership Challenge through Pathways via ‘Cuse Activities. Only Executive Board members are eligible to earn credit toward their RSO for attending various workshops and events. While other RSO members are encouraged to attend, they cannot earn credit for the Leadership Challenge.
RSOs must attain the star status levels listed in the packet below to maintain their funding tier from year to year. RSOs that do not achieve the specified star status will be demoted to a lower funding tier level in the following year.
The Leadership Challenge Guide [PDF] The Leadership Challenge Points Tracker [PDF]
Leadership Workshop Catalogue
The Student Engagement office provides a number of workshops and sessions for student organizations. These programs are listed below. Specialized requests may be made below and will be reviewed the Student Engagement team.
If you would like to request a workshop, please complete this form at least two (2) weeks in advance. Custom program requests will be reviewed to determine if we are able to accommodate. For custom requests, please provide as much detail as possible.
Please contact the RSO Help Desk at rsohelpdesk@syr.edu with any questions or concerns.
Request a workshop through the Student Engagement Leadership Workshop Request Form.
Available Workshops for Request:
VIA Classification of Character Strengths (60-minute workshop)
- The VIA Character Strengths assessment is a powerful tool designed to help individuals flourish in all aspects of their lives, from personal growth to professional development, and at every stage of their life journey. By identifying your 24 Character Strengths, the assessment provides valuable insights into your unique qualities, such as honesty, kindness, creativity, and leadership. As student leaders on campus, you can use these strengths to enhance your leadership abilities, foster meaningful connections with others, and create a positive impact within your community. The VIA assessment empowers you to understand your strengths more deeply, and offers guidance on how to apply them effectively to overcome challenges, reach your goals, and contribute to the well-being of those around you.
Emotional Intelligence 2.0 (90-minute workshop)
- This leadership development session focuses on the importance of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and provides a comprehensive approach to enhancing it. Emotional Intelligence 2.0 offers a practical, step-by-step guide for improving your EQ through four core skills: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.By developing these skills, you’ll not only improve your interactions with others but also enhance your ability to navigate challenges, communicate more effectively, and make better decisions. This session will equip you with the tools you need to exceed your goals, unlock your fullest potential, and become a more impactful and emotionally intelligent leader in both your personal and professional life.
Risk Management (60-minute workshop)
- This workshop is designed to introduce student leaders to the fundamental concept of risk management, with a specific focus on how it applies to organizational leadership and event planning. During this session, you will learn how to identify, assess, and mitigate various types of risks ranging from logistical challenges to safety concerns and reputational risks. By gaining a solid understanding of risk management, you will be better equipped to navigate the complexities of planning and executing events, ensuring that potential issues are anticipated and addressed proactively. This workshop will empower student leaders to manage risks confidently and take the necessary steps to minimize the impact of potential challenges, ensuring that your events and organizational activities run smoothly and achieve their intended outcomes.
Officer Transition (45-minute workshop)
- Effective officer transitions are crucial for maintaining continuity, strengthening organizational culture, and ensuring that your group’s goals are consistently met, even as leadership changes. This workshop will explore a variety of strategies to ensure a smooth and successful transition of executive board (e-board) leadership from one year to the next. During this session, you will learn practical approaches to facilitate seamless handovers, including tips on knowledge sharing, setting clear expectations, and providing guidance to new officers. Topics will include creating thorough transition documents, shadowing incoming officers, and establishing mentorship programs to support new leadership.
Self-Advocacy (60-minute workshop)
- In this interactive one-hour workshop, student organization leaders will explore the essential skills and strategies for effective self-advocacy. Participants will learn how to articulate their needs, set boundaries, and build confidence in their leadership roles. Through engaging activities and real-world scenarios, attendees will gain insights into navigating conversations with peers, advisors, and campus stakeholders to create a positive impact for their organizations.
Elections Support (45-minute workshop)
- This workshop is designed to introduce student leaders to the Elections feature in Cuse Activities, providing a comprehensive guide to using the platform for your organization’s e-board elections. Whether you are organizing elections for the first time or looking to refine your process, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to create, manage, and promote a successful election. You will learn how to set up the election process within your organization’s Cuse Activities portal, including how to customize election details, set timelines, and designate positions for candidates. Additionally, you’ll explore strategies for promoting your election to ensure maximum engagement from your organization’s members. This includes tips on how to communicate election information, encourage participation, and create awareness about the importance of voting in your community.
Request a workshop through the Student Engagement Leadership Workshop Request Form.