Getting involved in a student club or organization is one way for students to take on a leadership role. With the number of registered organizations on campus growing, students have the opportunity to find something that appeals to them and get engaged outside of the classroom.

All clubs have some type of leadership roles as part of the club's structure. These generally include the positions of President, Vice resident, Secretary and Treasurer, but can also include roles such as Alumni Officer, Marketing and Communications Chair, Webmaster, Editor, Captain, or any other structure the club generates. Encourage members of your club to run for office and to get some different experiences within the club!

One of the first experiences incoming students have with Lasell College is the summer Laser Link Orientation program. Orientation takes place during the last two weeks of June and is divided into four sessions. Each session consists of a two day overnight program geared at getting new students acclimated to Lasell's campus, creating community among entering first year students, and exposing students to all the resources available to help them be successful here. First year students also participate in Lasell Laser Welcome Weekend, which takes place the weekend before classes begin. There are numerous on and off-campus activities for students to participate in. There is also a program for transfer students called Laser Transfer Transitions where students can sign up for classes and learn more about the Lasell College community.

Orientation Leaders play a large role in helping us meet these goals. Each spring, students apply to become Orientation Leaders for the upcoming summer. During the summer, Orientation Leaders work with smaller groups of incoming students and serve as a resource and guide for navigating Lasell during Laser Link. The spring semester consists of training for all Orientation Leaders to help them develop their leadership skills and to get ready for the two weeks of orientation in June and the Fall.

This is another chance for students to get involved in a leadership role on campus! We encourage first year students, sophomores, and juniors to apply if they are interested. Applications are typically available in early to mid January, with interviews and decisions being completed by mid March.

The Office of Student Activities offers a Leadership Development program consisting of a variety of workshops designed to help students build valuable skills that will benefit them personally, and your organization. Student of all majors, class years, and levels of involvement are encouraged to participate! The Office of Student Activities also oversees a 4-year passport program with levels of leadership development. For more information on the Passport Program, come to the Office of Student Activities Today!

Student Organization Series (SOS): A series of sessions focused on topics for organizational development. Informative and interactive workshops will concentrate on student organization management, event planning, and campus policies and procedures. Although most applicable to club leaders, all student leaders are invited to participate. Topics will vary by semester. Offered year-round. Schedules are available on a semester-basis.

Exploring Leadership: Exploring Leadership is the semester long introductory leadership course offered by the Office of Student Activities.  This seminar style course explores leadership through presentations and discussions of historical and current leaders.  Leaders discussed often include: John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Oprah, Bob Marley, and George W. Bush.  Students will develop presentations skills, individual and group, as they develop their own personal leadership philosophy. Offered in Fall to Leadership Scholars and Spring to All Students. For Spring Program nominations are collected in Fall Semester, including Self-Nominations. Applications will then be distributed and must be returned to participate. 

Emerging Leaders: Emerging Leaders is a semester long program offered by the Office of Student Activities.  In seminar style workshops students develop and build upon previous leadership experience and learn how to apply it at Lasell College.  Weekly sessions feature an array of topics including public speaking, diversity, ethical decision making, balance, goal setting, teamwork, and leadership opportunities on campus. These workshops are designed to build skills and develop the foundation for leadership roles. Offered in Spring to Leadership Scholars and Fall to All Students. For Fall Program nominations are collected in Spring Semester, including Self-Nominations. Applications will then be distributed and must be returned to participate. Participants who have completed Exploring Leadership are required to send their schedule to the Office of Student Activities.

Advanced Leadership Seminar: The Advanced Leadership Seminar is for seasoned student leaders. Guest speakers will be invited to share their successes in business, politics, the non-profit sector, or life in general with a tie to student leadership. In a small discussion format, students will be encouraged to ask questions and learn from the featured guest. Four or five guests will be invited each semester. This program is application based. Applications are available in the Office of Student Activities. Once approved, you are welcome to attend any/all sessions.

Student Leadership Scholars: The Student Leadership Scholars are chosen each year as part of the incoming first year class. This group focuses on leadership development during their time at Lasell.

JUMPSTART: Jumpstart occurs the frist 5 weeks of classes in the Fall Semester and the first 2 weeks of class in the Spring. This program has been created to help student leaders handle all the challenges for student organizations in the first weeks of class. All students are welcome to attend.

Leadership Retreat: The Leadership Retreat is offered in the Spring Semester to all Lasell Studnets. Topics of the retreat include current leadership hot topics, ways to improve individual leadership development and a track focused on club leadership. Students must RSVP to participate in the program.

Giving Recognition for a Job Well Done

Student Organization leaders can have a great deal of influence over student motivation and student investment in the club. Giving recognition to students when they have done a good job can go a long way toward encouraging students to stay involved and be proud of their accomplishments. It is important as faculty and staff to realize when students are learning and meeting goals, and to celebrate those successes.

 The Office of Student Activities supports all student clubs and organizations and frequently tries to recognize achievements during the year. Event Registration Forms and Event Evaluation Forms aid the Office of Student Activities in efforts to follow up with students after an event to evaluate its outcome. In addition, at the end of the academic year, the campus wide Awards Banquet allows an opportunity to formally recognize our outstanding organizations.

 How can I recognize other club members in my group?

·         Personally email or speak with the student to let them know you notice their efforts.

·         Email or speak with the group and mention the accomplishment and recognize those students who put in their time and effort.

·         Send a thank you card.

·         Have a social event, such as a pizza party, to get the group together for a celebration.

·         Nominate students for other positions of leadership on campus or recognition (e.g. Exploring Leadership, Emerging Leaders, Resident Assistant, Who’s Who, etc.).

·         Institute a “Member of the Month” Award, or another type of award to bring recognition to those students who are going above and beyond their responsibilities.

Awards Banquet

Each spring, the Office of Student Activities hosts an Awards Banquet. All student organizations, club advisors, Leadership Scholars, Resident Assistants, Sports Team Captains, Peer Mentors, Office of Student Activities student workers, faculty, and staff are invited to attend. This is a time to recognize students for all they have done throughout the semester, and to honor those who have gone above and beyond basic expectations. The following is a list of the awards that are currently given out at the banquet and the criteria for each award.

Lasell College Chair

The Lasell College Chair Award is given each year to a graduating senior, who has embodied the values of Lasell College and contributed to the campus community in exceptional ways. This award is among the highest honors given to a student. Students must be nominated for this award by a staff or faculty member. Winners are chosen by the Awards Banquet committee, a group consisting of faculty, staff, and students at Lasell College.

  Lasell Bowl

The Lasell Bowl is given to students who have distinguished themselves as individuals who contribute to the life of the campus in especially noteworthy ways.  Each of them has held one or more leadership positions on campus, has gone “above and beyond” in their contributions of time and energy, and has made a particularly significant impact in the quality of student life on campus. Students must be nominated for this award by a staff or faculty member. Winners are chosen by the Awards Banquet committee, a group consisting of faculty, staff, and students at Lasell College.

 SGA Thomas E.J. de Witt Spirit Award

The SGA Thomas E.J. de Witt Spirit Award was established in 2007 by the Student Government Association in honor of Dr. Thomas E.J. de Witt in recognition of his 19 years of outstanding service to Lasell College.  It will be given annually to a member of the Lasell Community who most embodies the love and spirit for Lasell College that Dr. de Witt demonstrated. This award can go to a faculty member, staff, or student. The current SGA membership votes on the winner of this award from nominations from the Lasell community.

 Student Organization of the Year

The Student Organization of the Year Award has been created by the Office of Student Activities to honor a student organization that has excelled in the areas of organizational structure and development for the academic year. 

The recipient of this award should:

·         Have a solid membership that has been retained throughout the year;

·         Have a leadership team that helps to guide the organization towards further growth and development;

·         Provide an educational, governance or programming function that serves the larger campus community;

·         Be a known entity on campus; and strive to continually improve as an organization and cultivate new leaders.

 Nominations for the Student Organization of the Year award come from the student organizations. Each group may nominate themselves by completing the nomination packet. Winners are chosen by the Awards Banquet Committee.

 Student Leader of the Year

The Student Leader of the Year should exemplify all of the qualities of an outstanding student leader.  Such qualities include:

·         a commitment to the student organization(s) in which he/she is a member, as demonstrated through dedicated and continued involvement;

·   an ability to motivate other members of the organization as well as the Lasell community;

·         a demonstrated effort to continually improve the organization;

·         involvement on campus and in the greater community; and

·         A commitment to a balance of extra-curricular involvement and academic excellence.