skip to content

Leadership Programs

Welcome to the Office of Leadership Programs!

The University of Connecticut offers a comprehensive, unique, and ‘cutting edge’ approach to the leadership development of its students. This approach reflects the Areas of Emphasis identified in the University’s Academic Plan, seeks to integrate itself into the University’s academic programs and services, and prepares students to be engaged, forward thinking, and global citizens.

It is called the Oak Leadership Agenda; and it addresses three critical perspectives.
  • Serves a broad base of students with varying levels of expertise
    Recognizing that the richness of the program and opportunities for student learning are enhanced by maximizing broad student participation, and understanding that students present varying levels of knowledge and skills.
  • Constructivist and experiential in nature
    Reflecting the interests of students, and enhancing their chosen academic careers and co-curricular activities; engaging faculty, staff, alumni, community members, and future employers as mentors, facilitators, and learning partners; engaging students in training and development opportunities that are experiential in nature.
  • Integrated into academic disciplines
    Helping to enhance the environment for academic achievement and atmosphere conducive to intellectual exploration and achievement.

The components of the Oak Leadership Agenda are grouped in to three primary levels:

Explore

Programs offered at the Explore level have the following goals:
  1. Introducing students to the basic concepts and principles of leadership
  2. Providing students with opportunities to explore campus-wide leadership opportunities
  3. Beginning the process of relevant skill development within students

Engage

At the Engage level students are given the opportunity to:
  1. Development and apply their leadership skills within academic disciplines and co-curricular activities
  2. Develop more advanced leadership skills
  3. Expand their knowledge of leadership theories

Elevate

At this final level of Elevate program goals are:
  1. Providing students with the opportunity to reflect on their leadership experiences
  2. Offering students the opportunity to refine their skills
  3. Providing student with opportunities to mentor younger students
  4. Preparing students for leadership beyond the institution