Freshman Leadership Academy
Freshman Leadership Academy is intended to prepare our incoming students for one day taking on leadership roles at SFA. This is a special section of the SFA 101 freshman seminar course that helps prepare participants for success at SFA and prepares them to become the future student leaders of this university. We offer two specialized sections in FLA - Servant Leadership Programs and Leaders for a Better World. By enrolling in one of these sections, you will open the door to being involved in leadership positions on campus much earlier than your peers. Topics for the class include:
- Time management
- Discovering your leadership style
- Service to others
- Group dynamics
- Deeper appreciation for diversity
Servant Leadership Programs is taught by Dr. Hollie Smith, assistant dean of student affairs for programs, and Jamie Bouldin, assistant director for student engagement programs for leadership and service. Leaders for a Better World is taught by Dr. Osaro Airen, director of multicultural affairs, and Amanda Flores, assistant director for multicultural affairs. Each section also has a student instructor, who will offer valuable advice and guidance as you explore options for involvement at SFA.
You must apply to be considered for a spot in one of the FLA sections. The classes are offered 2-2:50 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the fall semester only. FLA sections of SFA 101 are official SFA classes, so you must be available to attend all scheduled class sessions for the course you apply for and complete all assigned work. In addition, there will be activities outside the normal classroom hours that you will be required to participate in. A schedule will be provided at the beginning of the semester.
You may apply for the class here. Priority deadline is June 30, 2013.
For more information, contact:
- Jamie Bouldin (jfbouldin@sfasu.edu; 936-468-1088)
- Amanda Flores (floresa6@sfasu.edu; 936-468-1200)
Lumberjack Leadership Academy
The Lumberjack Leadership Academy (LLA) is a year-long leadership development program that utilizes the Social Change Model of Leadership Development to integrate service learning and leadership strategies to assist students in developing the skills necessary to lead effectively. There is no cost to participate in this program.
The program contains the following elements:
- Ignite Retreat: This event helps students determine their own individual leadership style and skills.
- Service Project: Students in the program will be responsible for proposing a service project to their peers and facilitators of LLA. This provides students leadership experience as project managers in addition to helping the community.
- Student Leader Workshops in Spring 2013: LLA participants will take part in weekly workshops to discuss various elements of leadership. These interactive workshops will focus on building your leadership skill set. They will also provide time to work on the service projects.
- Leadership E-Portfolio: LLA participants will develop an online portfolio to showcase their accomplishments.
- Reflection Retreat: This one-day culminating workshop will allow students to reflect on all that they have learned in the program.
- Honors: Students who successfully complete all elements of the program will receive a framed certificate of completion from the program, recognition at the annual Leadership and Service Awards and honor cords suitable for wearing at graduation.
Omicron Delta Kappa
Omicron Delta Kappa is SFA's Leadership Honor Society. ODK recognizes top students who have achieved in one of five areas at SFA: student activities and organizations, athletics, fine arts, student media, and government. SFA's ODK Circle is a nationally recognized chapter. In 2007 and 2009, the SFA Circle received the Superior Circle Award, and in 2008 received the Presidential Award of Excellence. Only a handful of chapters are recognized with these awards each year throughout the country. ODK served as one of two host circles for the 2010 ODK National Leadership Summit and Convention.
Activities
Each year, ODK sponsors a wide variety of programs that seek to develop students as campus leaders and draw attention to important issues. Some of the programs and events ODK coordinates include Dresses for Dreams, Leadership Conference, the Kermit Project, and the Student Leadership Awards Banquet. Members serve on a number of ODK committees throughout the year that are responsible for planning and putting on these events, offering our members great experience with event planning and leadership development.
Applications
Juniors, seniors and graduate students with leadership experience in one of the five areas and a minimum 3.0 GPA are encouraged to apply at the beginning of each fall and spring semester. Applications are available online through ODK's website. Applications are generally due about three weeks into the semester. Interested students should note that ODK's requirements for membership and activity schedule may preclude distance learners from participating in the organization.
Preliminary Membership
ODK uses an interview process to determine its preliminary members from the applicants each semester. Prelims attend both general body meetings as well as preliminary meetings. The highlight of this process is the Prelim Project, which is a new project developed and executed by each semester's preliminary members. Prelims accumulate points by participating in ODK's committees, meetings and events, and these points are used as part of the evaluation process for deciding who will be offered full membership.
Membership
ODK inducts its new membership class at the end of each semester with a formal ceremony, followed by a reception for current and new members and their families and guests.
More information
SFA's ODK Circle maintains its own website, www.sfaodk.org, which offers much more information about its events and activities, as well as numerous electronic forms for membership and award nominations.