Social Change Series
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” - John Quincy Adams
Program Purpose
Students will have the chance to actively explore what leadership is while developing their individual leadership capacities through the Social Change Series. The program is modeled after the Social Change Model of Leadership and will engage students in the process of developing a leadership identity, fostering an understanding of how to effectively collaborate, and building connections with the community – locally and globally – to contribute their leadership skills to social change efforts for the common good.
Program Requirements
All students at ASC are welcome to participate in the series, and organizations funded through Student Senate will be required to identify at least one representative to participate in the series. Because this is a developmental model, and programs will build conceptually as the semester progresses, student organizations must send the same representatives to each session. Students in academic departments, organizations, and classes are also welcome and encouraged to participate!
In order to complete the series, participants will be required to attend six workshop format sessions, and six elective sessions in the spring 2011 semester, which are defined below.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Students who participate in the Social Change Series will:
- Understand leadership as a dynamic process instead of a static set of skills, qualities, traits, or experiences that a leader “possesses.”
- Be able to distinguish between the core concepts of the Social Change Model of Leadership Development, including: Consciousness of Self, Congruence, Commitment, Collaboration, Common Purpose, Controversy with Civility, and Citizenship.
- Develop an awareness of their individual leadership style as it relates to personal fulfillment, group functioning, and contribution to the greater good.
- Come to see themselves as leaders and change agents capable of actualizing their aspirations.
2012 Series Schedule
Workshop sessions will be facilitated by staff in Civic Engagement and Student Leadership Programs – in collaboration with student, faculty, staff, and community partner co-facilitators. Based on the topic and content area for each session, guest speakers will be invited to participate to present on their experiences, share their knowledge-bases, serve on a panel, etc.
Wednesday, March 7: What is Social Change?
7-8:30 p.m. - Orvis Lounge
In this first session, we will actively explore what it means to lead and ask the questions: What happened to the student organizing in student organizations? Do students actually have the power to affect real social change? And…what is social change anyway? We will be joined by a former student organizer to hear the story of Harvard students who fought the administration, united groups across campus and in the community, and collectively stood up for what they believed in. Come hear the story of student activism that started a living-wage movement across the nation.
Wednesday, March 21: Consciousness of Self
7-8:30 p.m. - Allegany Room
The second session is all about taking a look in the mirror and discovering who you really are as a leader, exploring what you believe in, and identifying what you value most!
Wednesday, March 28: Congruence & Commitment
7-8:30 p.m. - Allegany Room
The third session challenges you to find out whether or not your values, leadership style, behaviors, and actions are in alignment, while developing strategies to fully commit to what you believe in as a way to affect change. We want to know: As a leader, do you put your money where your mouth is?
Wednesday, April 4: Collaboration & Common Purpose
7-8:30 p.m. - Allegany Room
So far as change agents, you have discovered what your leadership style is, explored what you value, and identified whether or not your beliefs are congruent with your actions, behaviors, and commitments. This week, we will take it a step further and explore leadership as a group process through team-building exercises and group challenges. The fourth session is all about collaborating and working toward a common purpose as a way to affect change.
Wednesday, April 11: Controversy with Civility
7-8:30 p.m. - Allegany Room
Get ready to take your leadership to the next level by tackling perhaps the most challenging aspect of being a leader: Managing conflict directly and effectively while staying true to yourself and your goals. The fifth session is all about having the courage & the tools to speak your peace, coming together across differences, and addressing controversy with civility.
Wednesday, April 18: Citizenship & Becoming a Change Agent
7-8:30 p.m. - Allegany Room
You will have the opportunity to hear from real-life leaders and change agents on campus and in the community who are actively making a difference and living out their dreams, hopes, and visions for the future. At this session, we will honor anyone who has attended all six workshop sessions, celebrate the organization with the highest percentage of overall participation, and recognize some of the outstanding reflections that you shared with us this semester! Faculty and staff advisers are welcome to attend to share in the celebration!
