Leadership Certificate

Overview:

The SDSU Leadership Certificate is designed to deepen your knowledge on the topic of leadership, as well as gain practical skills to help you become a more effective leader in college and after you graduate. Earn the SDSU Leadership Certificate by participating in leadership workshops, experiential programs like retreats and conferences, community service, mentoring, leadership application, a reflective capstone and more.

There are six (6) official components of the Leadership Certificate. Please refer to the Program Components section on this website for more details. 

Learning Outcomes:

To enhance student learning and development in the areas of self-knowledge and leadership competence as evidenced by the successful completion of the outcomes of the following programs: 

• Personality typology
• Conflict Management
• Values Development
• Leadership Theory

Synthesize program outcomes into a capstone project highlighting leadership development

• Interpersonal relationships: conflict, personality typing
• Communication
• Self Reflection: goal setting, video/paper/presentation capstone reflection

Who is the ideal participant?

The Leadership Certificate program is open to any SDSU student at any class level and is self-paced. On average, students complete the program in 18-24 months. It is not recommended that students complete the program in one semester.

The Leadership Certificate offers leadership development to SDSU students anywhere on their leadership journey. Emerging and advanced leaders are welcomed and encouraged to participate!

Join the 200+ students currently enrolled in the program. This is a great networking opportunity with like-minded SDSU student leaders. 

How do I enroll?

Enroll in this free, self-paced certification program through filling out the intent to enroll form linked HERE.

After your form is received, the Glazer Center for Leadership & Service staff will begin tracking your progress and you can start enrolling in the program components!

Participation in these activities will be tracked by the Glazer Center of Leadership & Service. Questions on your Leadership Certificate Progress? Email us at [email protected].

 

There are 6 components to the Leadership Certificate:

1. Leadership Learning: 

Through participation in seven (7) workshops (schedule below), you will begin to develop your own personal model of leadership awareness through awareness of values, distinguishing your own personality style/traits and those of others, exploring conflict styles, and comparing and contrasting various leadership models

Action step: Participate in seven (7) workshops, consisting of five (5) required, and two (2) self-selected, from the options listed below. You must RSVP for any given workshop at least 24 hours in advance. There must be at least 5 participants that RSVP in order for a workshop to be held. We can only accommodate a maximum of 25 students due to seating capacity. 

• Five (5) Required workshops:

  • Leadership Certificate Info Session
    • Wednesday, August 30th 2-2:45 pm
    • Asynchronous option coming soon!
  • Introduction to Leadership Theory
    • Friday, September 15th 10-10:50 am
    • Wednesday, October 18th 12-12:50 pm
  • Values and Vision
    • Wednesday, September 27th 5-5:50 pm
    • Monday, October 23rd 2-2:50 pm
  • True Colors: Personality & Communication Styles
    • Thursday, September 21st 5-5:50 pm
    • Wednesday, October 11th 12-12:50 pm
    • Thursday, November 2nd 3-3:50 pm
  • Conflict Styles
    • Monday, September 25th 1-1:50 pm
    • Friday, October 13th 10-10:50 am
    • Thursday, October 26th 4-4:50 pm

• Two (2) Self-Selected workshops:

  • Leadership Etiquette
    • Monday, September 18th 2-2:50 pm
    • Tuesday, October 17th 3-3:50 pm
  • Time Management
    • Thursday, September 7th 1-1:50 pm
    • Monday, October 30th 12-12:50 pm
    • Thursday, November 30th 11-11:50 am
  • Servant Leadership
    • Tuesday, October 3rd 3-3:50 pm
    • VIRTUAL, Wednesday November 29 2-2:50 pm
  • Community Service Information Sessions
    • Monday, August 28th 3-3:45 pm
    • Monday, November 27th 2-2:45 pm
  • Leading Without a Position
    • VIRTUAL, Tuesday September 5, 11-11:50 am
    • VIRTUAL, Monday, October 2, 11-11:50 am
  • Leadership Lesson and Service Spotlight Series (topics vary by week)
    • Tuesday, November 7th, 3-3:45 pm
    • Tuesday, November 14th, 3-3:45 pm
    • Tuesday, November 28th 3-3:45 pm 
    • Tuesday, December 5th  3-3:45 pm

2. Experiential Leadership:

Through participation in experiential type programs (retreats, conferences, community events, mentoring), you may increase your interpersonal efficacy through building relationships and networks; increase self-awareness through the exploration of strengths, values, beliefs, culture and identity; increase knowledge, skill and competencies from interactive experiences; and foster an appreciation of cultural diversity, and intercultural and cross-cultural understanding.

We have three experiential tracks available:

1. Attend Aztec CORE Leadership Retreat or Greek Life Team Retreat + SDSU Leadership Summit
   • October 2023 CORE Application LIVE NOW
   • Save the Date for Saturday, March 9, 2024 SDSU Leadership Summit
2. Attend the SDSU Leadership Summit conference 2 times
   • Save the Date for Saturday, March 9, 2024 SDSU Leadership Summit
3. Enroll and complete the Identity & Allyship Awareness Certificate (IAAC)
   
   • self-paced 8-10 hours of diversity, equity, and inclusion contact in the format of workshops, allyship seminars, and a reflection capstone
   • To enroll, contact Jessica Chang at [email protected]

3. Leadership Service:

Through participation in off-campus service to the local San Diego community, you will demonstrate civic responsibility, and have the opportunity to build and develop professional working relationships.

Action step: Participate in ten (10) hours of community service

Documented proof of service to be submitted online . Please refer to the community service guidelines.

4. Leadership Role:

Through current participation in an on-campus leadership role, you have the opportunity to experience impactful communication (within and beyond the team, active listening, effective speaking, written communication) and shared leadership (influencing and motivating others, fostering teamwork, building trust, understanding and managing change).

Action step: Participate in a current leadership role on campus for a minimum of twenty (20) hours where major responsibilities are leadership related and allow for personal growth. This may be a formal position within a student organization/group, or a different role where you are expected to set and accomplish goals, lead others, or have a significant impact and foster positive social change on other students, the organization, the campus, and/or the community.

• Before beginning the leadership role: Send us ([email protected]) a detailed description of the position and 3 personal leadership goals that you hope to accomplish through your leadership role
• After completing the leadership role: Your leadership role faculty/staff advisor must turn in a Letter of Verification to us ([email protected]). This can be done via email or intercampus mail (MC: 7440)

5. Leadership & Mentoring:

Through participation in the Aztec Mentor Program (AMP) you will gain valuable guidance on a variety of career-related topics including one-on-one advice, networking, interviewing and job shadowing. The program pairs SDSU juniors, seniors and graduate students in one-on-one mentorships with established alumni/professionals in San Diego and beyond. This program requires an 8- to 12-hour time commitment by students over the course of one semester.

6. Critical Thinking/Reflection-Capstone:

Reflection Paper, Video, or Live Presentation

After completing all the specified requirements of the certificate, you will be asked produce a “Capstone Reflection Paper, Video or Presentation."

The paper or video is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your leadership-related skills, competencies, knowledge, and experiences in a personalized fashion. It should contain evidence and examples of your participation in the Leadership Certificate program. It should discuss your leadership strengths, areas of growth during the program, and future plans for continual development. The paper/video/presentation serves as a final, summative performance assessment as well as a tool of self-assessment.