SLI Student Leadership Institute Workshop Descriptions

This workshop is about taking classroom learning into the real world. The aim is to encourage participants to find realistic ways of putting into practice the message of cultural diversity using the knowledge and skills acquired through the EMBRACE workshops.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words (2 hours)
EMBRACE

Encountering strangers is an anxiety-producing experience. This workshop focuses on the role of cultural differences in creating anxiety within individuals and consequently unconscious behaviors. Through open dialogue, participants explore their experiences with strangers and how anxiety influences the communication process.

Articulating and Communicating Your Message (1.5 hours)

A key skill in gaining allies and increasing awareness is the effective communication of your message. In this workshop, students will learn techniques for clearly communicating their goals and values to diverse audiences. This will workshop will focus on style and format, so that students can adapt what they learn to any individual context.

Being Flexible In A Changing World (2 hours)

This workshop will develop understanding that many of the communicative situations we experience today require a higher tolerance for ambiguity. It will also promote the idea that it is everyone's responsibility to "react" when members of our group "put down" members of other groups.

Business Survival Basics (1.5 hours)

Entering the “Real World” is a time of excitement, enthusiasm, and exploration. The classes, insights, and knowledge you have gained through your education will be tremendous assets as you make the transition to the world of work. The new opportunities and experiences you’ll encounter will be both exhilarating and, at times, frustrating. You will certainly encounter situations for which higher education did not prepare you for. This workshop will present some of the realities and opportunities of the first career job to help you make the transition successfully.

Collaboration and Coalition Building (1.5 hours)

Grassroots movements are more successful when they develop partnerships with other groups and individuals who share common goals and are willing to work together to increase the chances of success. In this workshop, students will learn how to identify potential partners and how to develop them into strong, mutually-supportive relationships. Students will also learn when and how it is best to rely on these relationships without putting undue strain on others.

Communication Styles (1.5 hours)

This workshop will explore some of the basics involved in leadership communication and provide tips on how to develop these skills to become an effective leader. This session will review ways to enhance interpersonal skills, develop listening strategies, and choose the appropriate communication medium for delivering a message.

Culture and Gender Roles (1.5 hours)

Elective

This workshop will consider how men and women may be raised in a gender specific fashion depending on their cultural background. The workshop participants will learn and discuss views of gender issues from a cultural background.

Dealing with Difficult People (1.5 hours)

Elective

Learn how to stop reinforcing difficult behaviors and how to avoid getting personally hooked. This session will help you to voice your opinion without being overly aggressive and how to confront a difficult person when you must.

Dealing with Racism (1.5 hours)

Elective

This workshop will help individuals look into the issues of racism, and how it has affected them and/or their outlook on life. Suggestions will be presented as to how to deal with the anger and frustration caused by racism.

Dealing with the Ups and Downs of Social Justice Activism (1.5 hours)

Organizational Leadership

Working in any setting comes with its ups and downs, and this is especially true in grassroots movements. People who are committed to working for change will inevitably have come up against times that will try their psychological and spiritual fortitude and endurance. Students in this workshop will learn some ways to deal with these difficult times, how to learn from them, and how to celebrate their successes.

Dining Etiquette: The Fork Goes on the Left (1.5 hours)

Elective

Good manners are good business! Do you know what all those forks are for, where to put your napkin, and how to eat your soup? Come learn how to stand out as a future leader through dining etiquette “must knows.”

Dress for Success (1 hour)

Elective

Whether you are job hunting or looking for a promotion, dressing professionally and appropriately is critical. During a job interview, not only are you being assessed on your experience and qualification, you are also being evaluated on your dress and grooming. The more appropriately you are dressed, the better and more confident you will feel in the interview. In this workshop, you will learn how to dress for an interview for the best possible outcome. You will also learn valuable tips for creating an image of leadership and professionalism on the job, no matter the dress code.

Ethical Decision Making (1.5 hours)

Program Core

This workshop will discuss strategies to practicing values-driven leadership through identifying the difference between what people “want” to do and “should” do. Through case studies or scenarios, discussion and debate, techniques for handling very difficult and ambiguous situations will be explored. Models that can assist the decision-maker in choosing between “right and wrong” will be discussed.

Event Planning (1.5 hours)

Elective

The workshop will teach participants the steps for planning an event from the beginning stages of brainstorming to the implementation of the event. The nuts and bolts of event planning, collaboration, support, resources, implementation, budgeting and evaluation will be discussed.

Exploring Ethnicity (1.5 hours)

Elective

How do you identify yourself and how to others identify you? Is this identity or label a result of your skin, eye and hair color, your family's cultural background, or both? This workshop explores society's attitudes about race, ethnicity and culture, our search for our "roots" and the values and ideas that are associated with ethnicity.

Finding an Internship(1.5 hours)

Elective

Internships provide you with an opportunity to gain practical experience within a chosen field of study. Finding the right internship is not always easy. This workshop provides an overview of academic internships, paid/unpaid internships, and provides resources to help you find your ideal internship.

The FISH! Philosophy (1.5 hours)

Imagine an organization where everyone choosese to bring energy, passion, and a positive attitude to the group every day. Imagine an environment where people are truly connected to their work and to each other. FISH! offers wisdom that is easy to grasp and to apply at any level of leadership within an organization. This workshop will help you learn to catch the energy and release the potential of FISH! in any team environment.

Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual, and Transgender Issues (1.5 hours)

Elective

What are some of the issues faced by gays, lesbians, and bisexuals? This workshop will discuss these issues in order to increase awareness, sensitivity, and understanding.

Getting into Graduate School (1.5 hours)

Elective

Considering graduate school? Whether your career choice reqeuires a masters or doctoral degree, or you just want to remain competitive in your chosen industry, you will want to know how to choose the right graduate program for you and how to be a competitive candidate. This workshop covers the application process, testing, and overview of what is expected of you as a graduate student.

How to Write the Perfect Resume (1.5 hours)

In today’s competitive market, you need the “perfect” resume to set yourself apart from the other candidates. This workshop will present the basic components of a powerful and effective resume. Learn how to showcase your accomplishments and abilities, focus on the needs of the company and create a targeted distribution plan.

Interview for a Real Job (1.5 hours)

Interview! Does it make you nervous? It should…the interview is actually an audition for the job. But, interviewing is also a great opportunity to showcase your experience, knowledge, skills, and tools to ace the interview and win the job. This seminar is interactive and loaded with examples and sample questions.

Introduction to Leadership (1.5 hours)

Program Core

Are you aware of your own leadership style or the type of leader that you are? This workshop will focus on competencies and strategies for essential leadership skills. Discussion will focus on theories and models of leadership. The workshop will allow participants opportunities for individual assessment of leadership skills, as well as group work to discuss issues like teamwork.

Introduction to Social Justice Activism (1.5 hours)

Social Justice is a term that is popping in up in more and more places, but that does not mean that everyone agrees on what it means or how it should be used. In this workshop, students will learn about the core values of social justice and the basic nature of grassroots activism that seeks to create a more just society. Students will also learn about the great diversity that exists within the umbrella of social justice and will be encouraged to explore issues that they connect with on a personal level.

It's Hard To See the Picture When You're Inside the Frame (2 hours)

This highly interactive workshop explores the cultural differences that influence the way individuals view the world. Simulation exercises help participants understand how these cultural differences create misunderstandings in intergroup communication.

Job Search and Networking Strategies (1.5 hours)

Organizational Leadership

In today's competitive job market, it is essential to utilize all of the job search resources available, from the traditional career planning and placement center to the new Internet Websites including personal and professional contacts. This workshop is designed to assist you in identifying the many venues that are available for conducting and managing a successful job search campaign.

Leading and Managing A Diverse Group (1.5 hours)

Program Core

Successful managers and leaders understand and educate themselves on the changing demographics within the community, the nation, and the world. This session will explore the impact that a diverse community may have in your personal interactions with others. You will also be challenged to re-examine your personal values and beliefs, and discover stereotypes and biases that you may hold. It will help students develop an openness and appreciation of differences, and underscore the richness that diversity can add to a group or organization.

Leading through Adversity (1.5 hours)

This workshop will provide a window into the participant's perception of and approach to dealing with adversity. Participants will determine their AQ (adversity intelligence) and personal leadership style. Through activities, reflection, and dialogue, individuals will be given the tips and tools necessary for successful leadership.

Learn the # 1 Secret to Job Search Success (1.5 hours)

Somewhere out in the universe, someone found a way to get into the career you dream of. There is a name for this process of testing out your career dream and talking to actual people who are actually doing the work you would like to do. It's called Informational Interviewing, and it is not the same as Networking. The term Informational Interviewing was coined in 1936, and it is as useful today to answer very specific questions about jobs, careers, employers and industries.

Marketing Your Leadership and Transferable Skills (1.5 hour)

University Career

A recent survey of employers hiring college graduates identified ten key attributes of successful candidates: Communication skills; Honesty; Teamwork; Interpersonal skills; Initiative; Work ethic; Analytical skills; Flexibility/adaptability; Computer skills; and Self-confidence. Sound familiar? Leadership experiences on and off campus provide excellent opportunities to develop these attributes as you explore careers and organize your job search. This workshop will help you develop strategies to communicate your underlying capabilities as you put your leadership experiences to work!

Overview of Careers in Public Service and Nonprofits (1.5 hours)

Public Service

Interested in a career in a public service or nonprofit organization? Are you interested in pursuing a career in law, politics, and government, county or in a nonprofit organization such as the Red Cross? This workshop will introduce participants to career options, positions available, preparation needed, and ideas for how to best pursue careers in these fields.

Program Development and Proposal Writing (1.5 hours)

Public Service

This workshop will discuss ways to develop successful programs through strategic planning, mission and goal setting, serving population needs, creating partnership, and forecasting budget and human resource needs.

Public Speaking (1 hour)

Elective

Learn how to be a confident speaker and a dynamic leader in meetings. Gain confidence in your speaking abilities. Overcome microphone anxiety, the greatest fear in the world! This session will offer you a chance to practice public speaking in front of a group.

Social Justice in Everyday Life (1.5 hours)

Social Justice is not something that can be brought about simply through community involvement. There are choices you can make and things you can do everyday that can help bring about a more just world. These choices do not need to mean going without or depriving yourself of something you love. In this workshop, students will learn what some of these choices and actions are and will be encouraged to make social justice a part of their everyday life.

Stereotypes…Helpful or Harmful? (2 hours)

What happens when individuals generalize the behavioral characteristics of a few to the entire group? This workshop deals with intergroup conflicts that may arise when members from different cultural backgrounds interact with inadequate and inaccurate information about each other.

Teamwork and Collaboration (1.5 hours)

Understand why leadership is a process that involves a group of people working together to achieve a common goal. This workshop will discuss the group process and how it evolves over time. Also, this session will discuss how individual differences between group members can be strengths instead of a weakness. Techniques and principles of proper and effective collaboration will also be presented.

Time Management (1.5 hours)

Being able to juggle a busy schedule is a fundamental skill of successful leaders. This workshop will show you how to get organized so you can utilize your time more efficiently. This workshop will also help participants view time budgeting as a valuable leadership skill rather than an absolute way of life. This workshop will help you identify your priorities and how to maximize your time to accommodate your primary goals.

Understanding “Isms” (1.5 hours)

Elective

This workshop will help individuals examine the issues of racism, sexism, ageism and disableism. The above issues will be discussed in this workshop as well as other issues around “isms’ prevalent in today’s society.

Vision and Goal Setting (1 hour)