The Department of Student Involvement and Leadership Development coordinates a comprehensive leadership development program that includes a multi-tiered NIU Leadership Academy, a student leader of the month recognition, and an annual Leadership Awards Reception.
NIU Leadership Academy
Northern's Leadership Academy is a premier leadership development program for students at Northern Illinois University. This program is a comprehensive leadership development program primarily based on Kouzes and Posner's Leadership Challenge. The multi-year leadership program combines theoretical and practical leadership experiences to create an interactive learning environment for future leaders.
The Leadership Academy, housed within the Student Involvement and Leadership Development department will prepare students for leadership roles in our community and around the world. The program is anchored in NIU's commitment to the community, region, and world. What makes Northern's Leadership Academy unique is its combination of curricular (classroom based) and co-curricular (outside the classroom) learning experiences.
Emerging Leaders is the first tier of the curriculum designed to enhance participants’ leadership skills by introducing them to concepts and purposes of leadership as well as to the various leadership opportunities on campus.
Upon successful completion of the first tier, student leaders are then transitioned into the second or Evolving Leaders tier. Therein, the student leaders will begin putting their newly learned leadership skills into practice by moving into organizational leadership positions, participating in leadership seminars or conferences, obtaining membership in honor societies, and receiving recognition for their accomplishments.
Finally, in the third or Engaging Leaders tier of the curriculum, student leaders will begin to partner with the Department’s leadership staff to help coordinate the leadership program itself and mentoring other student leaders.
In addition to the curriculum, the Department offers a-la-carte leadership programming including workshops, conferences, leadership discussion lunches, mentoring, and leadership awards.
Sign-up for the NIU Leadersip Academy!
Student Leader of the Month
Each month the Student Involvement and Leadership Development office recognizes student leaders who have displayed outstanding leadership skills beyond their basic organizational job responsibilities within a given month. Our staff reviews Nominations received from faculty advisors to determine one or two students that will be given the “Student Leader of the Month” award. The nominating advisor is sent a certificate that can be presented to the student at their next organizational meeting. In addition, the student is recognized at the annual Leadership Awards Ceremony hosted by Student Involvement and Leadership Development in May.
Leadership Awards Reception
To recognize the contributions of students to the NIU and DeKalb community, Institutional Tuition Waivers and a variety of other Leadership Awards are offered and presented at the annual Kevin Knight Leadership Awards Ceremonyevery spring.
Leadership Advisory Board
To assist in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of leadership programming, the Department of Student Involvement and Leadership Development has convened a Leadership Academy Advisory Board.