In May, 44 Rio Hondo College students graduated from the 2012 Student Leadership Institute (SLI), a non-credit certificate program in partnership with California State University, Fullerton (CSUF).

SLI students were required to attend a series of workshops that focused on developing necessary skills for effective leadership and overall character. Students earned a leadership certificate from CSUF upon program completion.

Participation in SLI was free and open to all RHC students. There were no minimum unit requirements, specific GPA, or prior leadership experience needed to participate in the program.

The program required students to participate in 10 workshops, 3 core workshops, 4 track core workshops, and at least 3 elective workshops,and complete a 5-hour experimental component for a total of 15 hours.

The program was designed to be completed in two semesters, but since it was introduced prior to the spring semester, it was only one semester. Starting in the fall semester it will be a two-semester program.

The 3 core workshops, that were only held during the SLI Conference in March, were Ethical Decision Making, Introduction to Leadership, and Leading and Managing a Diverse Group.

The 4 track core workshops, that were required to be completed and were held at RHC and CSUF, were Communication Styles, Teamwork and Collaboration, Time Management, and Vision and Goal Setting.

The elective workshops, which only three were required to be completed, were Culture and Gender Roles, Dealing with Racism, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered (GLBT) Issues, Understanding “Isms”, Public Speaking, Dealing with Difficult People, Event Planning, Exploring Ethnicity, Finding an Internship,a nd Leading for Social Change.

The benefits of the program was that students learned the value of networking through program participation and interaction with fellow students, faculty, staff, and administration, as well as learning to communicate effectively with confidence and develop confidence in their abilities to explore challenging issues.

Students also understood and developed an increased awareness of current leadership styles and issues of diversity, developed life skills that were essential to achieving established goals and objectives, and were able to engage co-curricular activities that would augment academic learning.

Students can apply for SLI by completing the SLI application, then submitting it to the Office of Student Life & Leadership in the Student Union- Second Floor, and finally attending an orientation session which would provide information on workshop schedules, workshop registration, and program details.

For additional information, please contact: Office of Student Life & Leadership, SU-201 Dr. Mike Munoz, Associate Dean of Student Services (562) 908-3427 [email protected]