Leadership Certification Program

Student Leadership Programs is currently in the process of developing a multi-phase leadership program that will provide opportunities for students to develop to their fullest leadership potential.  Based on Susan Komives's Leadership Identity Development Model, the program will facilitate the growth of beginning student leaders through seasoned student leaders with the goal of creating individuals who will graduate to become leaders in our multicultural society.

Back to Basics Student Leadership Retreat

The first level of the leadership certificate program is the Back to Basics Leadership Retreat and is designed to teach aspiring and current student leaders the significance of “going back to the basics” to understand self, leadership, team, professionalism, self-discipline and etiquette.  This annual 26-hour, on-campus, Back to Basics Student Leadership Retreat, established in 2006, is grounded in the concepts of basic training and boot camp.  Students are brought “back to the basics” of leadership by engaging in discipline, delegation, communication, teamwork, professionalism and motivation through interactive squad activities.  The day consists of leadership development workshops presented by CI student affairs professionals and basic training-style leadership exercises led by the retreat general and vice president of Student Affairs, Dr. Wm. Gregory Sawyer.  The retreat challenges students to be the best version of themselves, and by the end of the 26 hours they report to have a greater level of self-confidence and a powerful sense of achievement as demonstrated by the student testimony below.

The following are the learning objectives of the Back to Basics Leadership Retreat which are representative of the first two stages (as represented by the numbers to the left of each learning objective) of the Leadership Identity Development Model:

• Identify leaders in society/history (1)
• Describe characteristics of leaders in society/history (1)
• Assess one’s current view of leadership (1)
• Motivate team members (2)
• Assess personal strengths and weaknesses (2)
• Receive affirmation from adults (1 & 2)
• Be exposed to peer leaders (2)
• Establish peer relationships (2)
• Reflect on experiences and leadership identity (2)
• Practice public speaking (2)
• Increase self-confidence (2)
• Recognize leadership potential in self (2)
• Delegate to team members (2)
• Practice active listening (2)
• Communicate effectively in small groups (2)
• Establish trust among group members (2)
• Experience diverse contexts (2)
• Receive information about involvement opportunities on campus (2)
• Experience positional leadership (2)

Please contact Student Leadership Programs at (805) 437-3356 or studentleadership@csuci.edu if you have any questions.