Leadership Opportunities

The Center for Student Leadership sponsors a number of programs throughout the year to develop and foster NDNU students’ leadership skills.

CSL Internship

Under general supervision of the Director of CSL and guidance from the Coordinating Team, the Leadership Intern will be responsible for coordinating the planning, publicity, production, and evaluation of CSL programs and events.

Freshmen Leadership Retreat

The Freshmen Leadership Retreat is designed for new students to help get acclimated to NDNU life.  Freshmen will experience workshops on leadership, communication and diversity.

Leadership & Public Service Minor

Through an interdisciplinary curriculum, the Leadership & Public Service Minor will provide each student with the opportunity to develop core knowledge about leadership within the larger context of social action and social change and to demonstrate leadership through written, oral and community-based experiences. The Minor is a collaboration between the Center for Student Leadership and the School of Education & Leadership.

Leadership Awards Ceremony

Each spring, the CSL hosts a student leadership awards ceremony to publicly recognize the accomplishments of student leaders across campus.  Awards of Excellence are given to outstanding students who have shown depth of leadership in the areas of:

• Community
• Diversity
• Integrity

Additionally, the Board of Trustees Award of Excellence is awarded to a graduating senior who shows depth and breadth of leadership in all three categories. The CSL also awards the Inner Fire Award to a faculty or staff member who has supported, provided, and/or encouraged students to develop or enhance their leadership potential.

Leadership Retreat

The Leadership Retreat is a weekend program held prior to the start of classes in the fall.  The retreat is designed by University professionals to prepare selected and elected student leaders for their duties in the upcoming academic year.

Orientation Team

Our program is composed of a team of student leaders and University officials who provide an introduction to academic and personal resources, encourage student involvement, and establish relationships with the campus environment.

NDNU’s summer orientation sessions are led by a student Orientation Board; and facilitated by student Orientation Leaders.  These volunteer leaders are selected each fall and trained during the spring semester.  Training consists of enrolling in a 2-unit course, attending the Region II National Orientation Director’s Association regional conference, attending bi-weekly team meetings, and attending summer training.

Along with implementing the summer orientation sessions, the Orientation Team develops and implements the Week of Welcome program.  This fun social program consists of daily and evening events geared towards acclimating new students to the campus and Belmont community.

Students interested in serving on the Orientation Staff can obtain more information in the Center for Student Leadership in the Campus Center.  Applications are usually available by November 1st.

Programming Board

Student activities and events are produced by the Programming Board.  This student team is committed to creating a balance in students’ lives by providing fun, educational, and inspiring co-curricular events.

The Programming Board is a student team made up of six Special Event Coordinators who are responsible for planning and coordinating a complete calendar of activities for the NDNU student body.  The Special Events Coordinators work as a team led by the Programming Board Chair as well as the Director for the Center for Student Leadership and other appropriate staff to enrich the co-curricular aspects of the campus. 

The Programming Board works closely with the student clubs & organizations, Associated Students, Resident Advisors, and the Residence Hall Association to provide a wide variety of events on campus.  The special event coordinators are selected each spring semester.  Applications are usually available February 1 and are located in the Center for Student Leadership.