The Emerging Leaders Program involves students in presentations, classroom learning and requirements and qualifications to receive recognition for leadership qualities. “The purpose of the program is to assist students in leadership by offering them opportunities, classes, special programs, community service and culture opportunities,” Phyllis Lear, adviser of the Emerging Leaders Program, said.
The Emerging Leaders Program gives presentations throughout the semester to improve the students leadership abilities.
“The presentations for the program can benefit any student. If you pick something in your field of interest, you can learn something new. I encourage anyone on campus, even faculty and staff, to come to the presentations,” Lear said.
“I believe the presentations that are given are very important. They help us become all-around better leaders,” Lauren LeBlanc, a freshman leadership student from Berwick, said.
The remaining presentations given for the Emerging Leaders Program at Nicholls are open to all students on campus. The presentation times are posted on bulletins around campus. The next presentation is “The Art of Reducing Anxiety” Monday at 2 p.m. in the Plantation Room in the Student Union. Any students who attend a minimum of six of the remaining sessions will receive a fall 2001 Leadership Certification, which can be included on co-curriculum reports.
“I think the presentations are for all students to know those things. It makes students more successful,” Betty Elfert, director of the academic success program, said.
Elfert said the program trains students in leadership and is a learning experience everyone should go through.
“It’s a wonderful program, and the lessons learned in it are lessons for life. In the courses, the students learn how to work with people, get them to be their best for any organization with which they are affiliated. Furthermore, every committee in the United States needs knowledgeable leaders to look after the needs of the people,” Elfert said.
To learn about leadership to complete the requirements of the program there are two classes given for the Emerging Leaders Program.
“The classroom sessions teach you how to be a leader and point out different characteristics in others and/or how to react to them,” Caroline Sarpy, a freshman leadership student from LaPlace, said.
In the classroom sessions, students have one hour of textbook learning and the other hour interviewing major leaders on the campus.
“The students get a chance to ask them questions pertaining to both student leadership on campus, but also faculty and administration leadership. In addition, students learn about ODK, the honors society on campus,” Elfert said.
There are still certain program qualifications and requirements. The program is open to all Nicholls students, who must turn in an application and activity resume, high school transcript and copy of ACT scores. In addition, students must have at least a 19 on the ACT and no remedials to take LDST 151/152 during the first semester. They must complete the minimum number of activities/ programs in each component per year to gain the Leadership Certificate upon graduation. Attendance and completion of various components is verified through sign-in sheets at presentations or certification forms that must be turned in each semester.
“For the upcoming graduation for Nicholls, there was said to be only two students to have completed the requirements. Even though you may not obtain the Gold Seal award for completing the program at your graduation, you still have a chance to gain leadership and an enriched co-curricula report,” Lear said.
“The program right now has a lot of potential. Dr. Eugene A. Dial, vice president for student affairs, Judy W. Daniels, dean of student life, and I have been working to modify the program to better service the students,” Lear said.
Just one of many modifications to the program is to help inform students about the Emerging Leaders Program.
The Emerging Leaders Program was founded in 1997 by Dr. Joanne Ferriot, who was vice president of student affairs at the time. “I am the fourth adviser for the program. The change among different hands has affected the program. The students did not know where to go to for help, and now some students don’t even know that there is still an Emerging Leaders program. There is. The program is a wonderful learning experience and needs students,” Lear said.
