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SLiCE Leadership Programs: President's Leadership Program

Established in 1989 as a one-year program, CSU’s President’s Leadership Program (PLP) has grown to a three year, fourteen credit leadership development experience for undergraduate students. The mission for PLP is to develop active, informed civic leaders who practice ethical, inclusive leadership and embody positive humanitarian characteristics, such as optimism, service to others, passion, mindfulness, and fairness.

If students decide to participate in all three years of PLP, they are eligible to earn the Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies Minor.

Limited Space! Fill out our interest form today for further registration information! Follow us on Instagram @PLP_CSU!

New Class: Enroll for Spring 2024

Are you looking to fast-track your progress in obtaining a leadership minor? Consider joining A Call to Lead – DASH! This program is perfect for students who missed out on registering for IU 170 in the fall, but who are interested in starting their leadership journey with PLP in the spring. By taking this class, you’ll cover content from both IU 170 and 171 in a single semester, with a total of 4 credits. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6pm, and are open to any student regardless of their major or year designation. Upon completion of both courses in the semester, students will receive a leadership certificate.
IU 170 (section 1 and recitation 1): CRN 21228 and 21229; taught in the first 8 weeks of the semester
IU 171 (section 3 and recitation 3): CRN 12816 and 12817; taught in the last 8 weeks of the semester

Everything You Need to Know About the President's Leadership Program

Interest Form

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Leadership Minor

The Interdisciplinary Minor in Leadership Studies builds on the foundational course work in the President’s Leadership Program.

Courses

Participants in PLP will learn and practice leadership in A Call to Lead, Leadership Styles and Effective Leadership.

Opportunities Offered

View the other opportunities the President's Leadership Program offers!

President's Leadership Program Presents: This I Believe

In a global society where problems and solutions cross disciplines and borders, there is a critical need for effective leaders. The President’s Leadership Program develops tomorrow’s leaders through a series of academic courses and experiential learning activities that equip them with the knowledge, skills, and commitment to make positive change.

It is our belief that all students have the potential to lead, and it is our intent to prepare leaders who are capable of navigating an increasingly diverse, global, and technological world. Interest forms for the President’s Leadership Program are available in December and can be found by clicking here. We look forward to your interest!

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President's Leadership Program FAQ

  • It’s both! Students receive elective credit for participating in the President’s Leadership Program; 4-6 credit hours per academic year. A Call to Lead (IU 170/171) and Leadership Styles (IU270/271) are both 2 credits each semester, while Effective Leadership (IU 470/471) is 3 credits each semester.
  • PLP students are part of a larger community of learners.
  • We strive to create a community of students who get to know each other and learn from each other both inside and outside of the classroom.
  • A Call to Lead and Leadership Styles classes take place on Tuesday evenings from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. (2 credits per semester).
  • Effective Leadership takes place on Tuesday nights from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. (3 credits per semester).
  • Each PLP class is comprised of 15-30 students.

It is our belief that ALL students have the potential to lead, and it is our intent to prepare leaders who are capable of navigating an increasingly diverse, global, and technological world. That said, we do not look for a specific “type” of student. We want students who want to learn about leadership, service, and themselves!

Simply, no. Students only apply and are admitted to one year of PLP at a time. If you hope to continue in the program to earn the Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies Minor, then you must complete all years of PLP.

 

We encourage students who are not readmitted to PLP to apply again the following year. In many instances, having the extra year of experience makes students very competitive the following year.

Classes meet weekly on Tuesdays for either 2 or 3 hours. In addition to class, students are required to attend program-wide functions such as the Fall Welcome, Fall Retreat, and Spring Banquet. In the spring semester, each class has an experiential-learning activity designed to complement course content. A Call to Lead and Effective Leadership students participate in a service weekend trip in the spring semester, Leadership Styles students spend 4-5 hours a week with a for-profit or non-profit organization where they examine and reflect on leadership within that organization.

PLP homework is similar to other classes (e.g., research papers, presentations, readings, group projects) but the focus is more introspective, reflecting on what the student has been doing and learning in class. We have found that the workload is generally less than traditional academic classes because so much of the learning takes place inside the classroom. Our students have reported that the work completed through PLP develops their understanding of leadership theory, styles and practices; clarifies their personal values and ethics; and provides a conceptual framework for organizational behavior, global and cultural diversity, and service.

PLP students who have been involved with the program for at least one semester are eligible for scholarships each year. There are no scholarships available to incoming first-year/freshmen students.

PLP is housed within the SLiCE office. The CSU President is very supportive of PLP, visiting with students in the Effective Leadership class and attending many of our special events.

Often, similar values and objectives are found within each of the leadership programs that fall under the Colorado Leadership Alliance umbrella, but the content of the courses and culture of the programs may differ. We encourage you to research the different programs to find the right fit for you.

You receive academic, elective credit for participating in PLP! For A Call to Lead and Leadership Styles, a student receives 2 credits per semester (4 credits per year). For Effective Leadership, a student receives 3 credits per semester (6 credits per year). Completion of the entire 3 years equates to 14 elective credits. In order to receive the Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies Minor, a student needs to take an addition 2 credits per semester (4 credits per year) of a Research or Practicum component that is approved by the ILSM advisor.

Credits for PLP contribute to fulfilling the “general elective” requirements necessary for graduation. They do not fulfill AUCC or major requirements.

For students participating in Year 1 of the program, A Call to Lead, there is a required service-learning weekend that takes place in the spring. Concepts such as diversity, multiculturalism, and social justice are applied during preparation for and implementation of the service experience. Travel costs and accommodations are covered by the program.

The leadership field experience (LFE) provides an opportunity for students to observe and reflect on organizational leadership, behavior, and change. It allows for students to put theory into practice. The LFE takes place in the spring semester of Leadership Styles. Students are required to volunteer 4-5 hours per week in addition to their class time.

Yes – visit the Leadership Minor page for requirements.

PLP is a three-year program that allows students to take a year off to study abroad. Upon return, students are encouraged to reapply for PLP and continue with the program.

  • PLP is a member of the Colorado Leadership Alliance (CLA) which offers our students beneficial development experiences such as networking events, luncheons, and seminars. These events take place in conjunction with the other 10 universities that are members of the CLA.
  • By being in PLP, students are constantly exposed to opportunities within the campus community and outside of it, including leadership receptions, prominent speakers, and service experiences.

CLA supports the development of the next generation of Colorado’s leaders at the collegiate level through collaboration between academic programs and the public, private and nonprofit sectors. The Colorado Leadership Alliance is the only alliance of its kind in the United States. At eleven public and private institutions across Colorado, CLA leadership programs are preparing top students to become capable leaders of Colorado’s future through academic coursework, internship, externship and service learning experiences.

  • SLiCE stands for “Student Leadership, Involvement, & Community Engagement.” With a variety of leadership and community engagement programs, the SLiCE office at Colorado State University provides an important link between students, involvement opportunities on campus, and their surrounding communities.
  • The President’s Leadership Program is one of the many opportunities available through SLiCE.