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$25,500 Gift Establishes New Leadership Certificate Program at Roberts
Program launching in January 2023 to develop leaders for campus and beyond
In January 2023, Roberts Wesleyan University will launch Leadership You, a student development certificate program to prepare Roberts’ traditional undergraduate students for leadership positions on campus and in the world. The program is made possible by a generous $25,500 gift from visionary donors and friends of the university Kevin and Tami Best.
Leadership You is open to all traditional undergraduate students in their freshman, sophomore or junior year seeking practical information and discussions that will help shape the kind of leaders they want to be now and in the future. The certificate program consists of eight workshops distributed over two academic years (two workshops per semester). In each workshop, emphasis will be placed on spiritual formation through humility and development of professional skills through the cultivation of National Association of Colleges and Employers Career Ready Competencies. NACE competencies include communication, equity and inclusion, and teamwork.
“We are pleased to support this new and unique certificate program at Roberts Wesleyan University,” said Kevin Best, donor for Leadership You and personal chief financial officer at Best Times Financial. “Roberts Wesleyan is one of the only universities in the area that has a dedicated focus on training the next generation of emerging leaders and has a well-established reputation in the community for preparing thoughtful and service-oriented graduates. Our hope is that graduates of this program will be provided with opportunities to lead and develop the critical skills to allow them to become impactful leaders who will transform the communities in which they live and work.”
The program was intentionally and collaboratively designed among the offices of Student Life, Spiritual Life, Diversity and Belonging, Career Development and International Engagement. For increased flexibility, coursework will be presented in multimodal synchronous and asynchronous workshops, lectures and retreats throughout the duration of the curriculum. In tandem with the launch of the program, the university will introduce the Leadership You digital app, which will function as a professional networking and career development platform across campus for all students on their path to earning a certificate.
After completing all eight workshops, students will receive a certificate of completion and will participate in a special graduation ceremony. A Leadership You certificate of completion will prepare students seeking leadership positions on campus in Student Government, Residence Life, as peer mentors and tutors, and in other leadership roles at the university. The goal is for Leadership You graduates to become courageous leaders who are confident and prepared to step into leadership opportunities and leverage their unique gifts in service to others on campus and in their future careers.
Applicants interested in the Leadership You certificate program can apply or seek more information online.