Leadership Program

Build your leadership skills. Strengthen your student group. Connect with other student leaders.

The Student Group Leadership Program is a semester-long experience designed for University of Minnesota student group officers who want to strengthen their leadership skills and build stronger, more sustainable organizations.

Through interactive, in-person sessions, students will explore topics such as leadership, communication, organizational sustainability, event planning, and team dynamics. Participants will have opportunities to connect with other student leaders, apply what they learn to their own student groups, and reflect on their growth as leaders.

Why Participate?

The Student Group Leadership Program can help you:

Build practical leadership skills you can use in your student group and beyond.
Strengthen communication, teamwork, and member engagement.
Develop strategies for planning events, managing group operations, and transitioning leadership.
Better understand University policies and procedures related to student groups and events.
Identify and address potential risks in your group's activities.
Reflect on your leadership identity, strengths, and areas for growth.
Connect with other student leaders from across campus.

Program at a Glance

Who: Current officers of registered University of Minnesota Twin Cities student groups
When: Fall 2026
Where: In person on the Twin Cities campus
Sessions: 7 sessions offered throughout the program
Completion: Attend 5 of the 7 sessions and complete the required program activities
Cost: Free
Cohort size: Limited to 80 students

How do I Complete the Program?

Students must:

Complete the required program activities.
Attend at least 5 of the 7 in-person sessions. (First and last sessions are mandatory)
Participate actively in the program and complete the final reflection.

Because students have different schedules, you do not need to attend every session. Choose the sessions that best fit your schedule while making sure you complete at least five.

The sessions are as follows:

Orientation & Foundations of Student Group Leadership
Organizational Sustainability
Effective Communication
Inclusive Leadership & Community Building
Event Planning & Program Development
Leadership Growth & Skill Development
Leadership Integration & Program Reflection

What do I receive for completing the Program?

The program incentives are organized into two categories, individual and group.

Individuals who complete the program will receive:

A certificate of completion
A professional headshot
Priority registration for their group at either Explore U or the Fall Activities Fair.

Student groups with two or more participants who complete the program will be eligible to receive:

An additional factor of consideration in Tony Diggs Awards
Chance to win a free room reservation within Coffman Memorial Union or the St. Paul Student Center (with exceptions)

FAQ Accordion

What to Expect in the Program

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What to Expect in the Program

Session 1: Program Orientation and Foundations of Student Group Leadership

The first session of the Student Group Leadership Program will focus on establishing the structure of the program and introductions to fellow participants. Discussion on leadership values and how they interact with the unique characteristics of student groups will be led by program staff, with time to debrief with fellow student leaders. Participants will reflect on goals and things they hope to improve for their student group over the course of the program.

Session 2: Building Strong & Sustainable Organizations

Building on the first session, the program will start with discussions on how to create and maintain strong organizations that will thrive. Topics will focus on the importance of establishing clear roles, what thriving means to specific groups, and how to promote sustainability. A collaborative activity will put these new ideas into practice for all participants.

Session 3: Effective Communication and Collaboration

This session will center on effective communication. Discussion will get into how to create environments that induce collaboration, through meeting times, tasks delegation, and messaging platforms. Activities will include demonstrating the importance of communication and how quickly messages can be misinterpreted.

Session 4: Inclusive Leadership & Community Building

Building on the emphasis on clear communication and collaboration from the last session, session four will center on inclusive leadership and community. Activities will help participants understand how community is built throughout a member's experience. To help create a sense of belonging within the organization, discussion will focus on shared decision making, regular communication, and inclusive behaviors from leadership.

Session 5: Event Planning & Program Development

The event planning and development session will define responsibilities before, during, and after the event to help create consistent, strong, programing. Participants will consider logistics and how to incorporate accessibility during a structured group discussion. To contextualize, a collaborative event planning activity will bring together the elements of the topics outlined throughout the session.

Session 6: Leadership Growth & Skill Development

Session six will take a look at participant’s leadership growth throughout the program. From there, discussion will focus on specific skills for maintaining leadership development. To help participants reflect and continue to set goals, there will be activities to help identify timelines for implementation as well as to pinpoint achievements.

Session 7: Program Reflection & Leadership Integration

The closing session will serve as a reflection as well as give participants the opportunity to put plans into action about how they want to integrate new leadership skills into their organizations. Activities to help visualize the lessons of the sessions and a small commencement will wrap up the program. Reminders and information about the Tony Diggs excellence awards will follow.

SGLP FAQs

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How do I know if I’m successfully registered for the program?

After submitting the registration form, you should receive a confirmation message or email. If you are unsure whether your registration went through, contact [email protected] for assistance.

Will I receive reminders about upcoming sessions?

Yes! Registered participants will receive reminders and information about upcoming sessions. Be sure to check the email address you provided during registration and add [email protected] to your contacts so you don't miss important updates.

Can I join the program after registration closes?

No. Unfortunately, once the deadline has passed, no further registrations will be accepted.

What happens if I need to miss a session?

If you need to miss a session, that's okay! You do not need to attend every session to complete the program. Remember that you must attend at least 5 of the 7 sessions, including the required Orientation and Reflection sessions. If you know you will miss a session, we encourage you to review your schedule and make sure you can still meet the program requirements.

What happens if I don't complete the program requirements?

If you do not meet the program requirements, you will not be considered a program graduate and will not receive the completion benefits associated with the program. If circumstances prevent you from completing the program, reach out to [email protected] to discuss your options.

Can I participate in sessions even if I have already met the completion requirement?

Absolutely! You are welcome to attend additional sessions even after you have met the minimum requirement of five sessions. We encourage participants to take advantage of as many opportunities as their schedules allow!

Who should I contact if I have a question about my participation?

If you have questions about your registration, attendance, completion status, or anything else related to the program, contact [email protected]. We're happy to help you navigate the program and make sure you know what you need to do to successfully complete it.

What happens if I step down from my officer position while participating?

Because the program is designed for student group officers, stepping down from your officer position will affect your eligibility to continue participating. Please contact [email protected] as soon as possible so we can discuss your situation and determine the best next steps.

Will presentation materials be available after the session?

When appropriate, presentation materials and additional resources will be made available to participants after a session. Availability may vary depending on the session and materials used. Check the program's follow-up communications for materials from your sessions.