Doctoral Student Leadership Institute

The University of South Florida Graduate School is proud to offer the Doctoral Student Leadership Institute. This two-year institute includes:

• completion of a one-semester leadership course
• at least two semesters of shadowing effective leaders
• development and implementation of a leadership plan
• participation in a leadership journal club
• participation in leadership conferences/retreats and forums
• workshop participation
• serving as a mentor to the new class of Leadership Institute Fellows (Year Two only)

The Dean and Associate Dean of the Graduate School will lead the Institute and meet with the Fellows to determine progress. The 2012-2013 Leadership Institute begins August 27, 2012. Leadership Institute participation will be expected during all academic sessions, including summer. Participation in the Institute will take at least 6-10 hours per week, depending on the activities.

Please Click Here to Download The Doctoral Leadership Institute Brochure (PDF)

Doctoral students must apply to be part of the Institute and provide a letter of recommendation from his or her major professor. The application must include a 250 word (maximum) essay pertaining to why the potential fellow should be part of the Institute. Describe your previous university/college and/or other leadership experience; Outline your leadership goals and how being a Leadership Fellow will aid you in achieving them; and how you plan to put your leadership skills to practice in your professional career. Preference will be given to those students who have not yet reached candidacy. We anticipate a class of 10-15 fellows. Applications will be reviewed by the Graduate School Leadership.

All applicants must submit the electronic application form found at http://www.grad.usf.edu/programs/leadership-institute-submit.php
Applications for the August, 2012 class of Leadership Fellows must be submitted before midnight on April 15, 2012.

After you complete the electronic application form and click "Submit," you will receive an e-mail with instructions for submitting the letter of recommendation from your major professor. Please follow the instructions carefully.

Applicants accepted as Leadership Institute Fellows will be notified by May 5, 2012.

Up to $1000 per semester is available to each Leadership Fellow to cover costs associated with participating in the Institute. Funds may be requested to defray the costs of leadership-related events and conferences, books and other professional development materials.

Year One

During your first year as a Leadership Institute Fellow, you will do all of the following:

• Take the new Building Leadership Skills Across Settings Course offered by the Graduate School
• Shadow a university or other leader 1-3 hours per week
• Develop a Leadership Action Plan to guide leadership growth
• Attend at least one leadership conference or event
• Help lead the once-a-week Leadership Journal Club
• Participate in at least two Leadership Workshops per semester
• Meet regularly with Graduate School Leadership to assess progress and growth as a leader

Year Two

In your second year, you will continue with many leadership activities from Year One in addition to experiencing new leadership opportunities. You will:

• Continue participation in Leadership Workshops and the Leadership Journal Club
• Meet with Graduate School Leadership regularly to discuss and review progress on the Fellow's leadership development plan
• Shadow a university or other leader 1-3 hours per week
• Serve as a mentor to the new cohort of Leadership Fellows
• Work with other Leadership Fellows to develop and implement a Leadership Forum on the Tampa Campus
• Present the Leadership Action Plan and Final Portfolio at the Leadership Forum
• Receive a certificate in recognition of successful completion of all Leadership Institute requirements

Leadership Fellows will be required to participate in two Leadership Workshops per semester. Workshops are listed below. Note that five of the Workshops are required. If students locate a workshop not on the list that they would like to attend, this can be arranged as long as the topic fits the theme of leadership. Four Leadership Workshops will be offered per semester and Workshop offerings will be rotated each semester.

*Required workshops noted as "R"

Leadership Styles and Patterns (R)
Leading Organizations Effectively (R)
Communication Skills - Oral and Written (R)
How to Prepare for and Have a Successful Interview for a Leadership Position (R)
Creating a Leadership Portfolio (R)
Professional Etiquette
Finding Funding and Managing Budgets
Event Planning in Academic and Non-Academic Settings
Global Leadership
Others as Appropriate

Each Leadership Fellow will be required to attend at least one conference or similar event related to leadership during each year. Fellows may use Leadership Institute funding for costs associated with attending leadership conferences and events. Below are several leadership conferences that may be of interest to Leadership Fellows.

American College Personnel Association - College Student Educators International Convention

Global Mindset Development in Leadership and Management Conference

International Leadership Association Conference

International Women's Forum World Leadership Conference

Leadership Educators Institute

NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Annual Conference

National Leadership Symposium

International Conference on Knowledge, Culture and Change in Organizations

Women in Leadership Annual Conference

• Gain perspectives on effective leadership theories and practices from top university, industry and community leaders.
• Develop crucial leadership skills through the Leadership Workshops offered exclusively to Fellows each semester.
• Travel to approved leadership forums and conferences, with funds provided by the Graduate School.
• Receive mentoring from university and other leaders through the Institute's shadowing experiences.
• Develop and execute a personalized Leadership Action Plan with the guidance of the Dean and Associate Dean of the Graduate School as well as other members of the Graduate School Leadership team.
• Hone your knowledge of scholarship on leadership through the Fellow-led Journal Club.
• Put your leadership knowledge and skills to practice as a mentor to the new class of Leadership Fellows during your second year in the Institute.
• Demonstrate all that you have learned as a Leadership Fellow by planning, organizing and executing a Leadership Forum on the Tampa Campus in May of your second and final year.
• Create a personalized Leadership Portfolio to document and display your accomplishments as a Leadership Fellow.
• Receive a certificate recognizing your accomplishments as a Leadership Institute Fellow upon successfully completing all Institute requirements.