Student Life Leadership Institute

Student Life
Leadership Institute

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To prioritize professional development for staff, Student Life offers an 8-month interactive and educational program. Monthly day-long sessions will help staff strengthen leadership skills while building collaborative relationships across the division.

The institute is an eight-month program with each cohort meeting one day per month from September to April. Participants are also required to meet with other program participants and prepare materials outside of the formal meeting structure. Total time commitment will be approximately 10 hours per month.

Participants will also be assigned groups to identify a current challenge/opportunity within Student Life, conduct research to identify possible solutions, and review possible implementation solutions. Project presentations will be presented to the Vice Chancellor and Student Life Unit Directors at the end of the institute.

Participation Requirements

This institute is intended for staff members who meet the following criteria:

  • Be a full-time staff members in Student Life at UNL
  • Have four years of full-time, professional work experience
  • Have worked a minimum of two years at UNL
  • Have immediate supervisor and department director approval and support

Application for 2023-24 is now closed. Application for the next term 2024-25 opens in Summer 2024.

Session topics may include:

  • Strengths-based leadership
  • Design Thinking
  • Budgeting process and financial management
  • Change management
  • Human resources: ethical decision making, crucial conversations, accountability, feedback, policies, etc.
  • Healthy interpersonal relationships at work
  • Student Life Operations: organizational culture, strategic planning, campus climate
  • University Composition: Academic Affairs, Board of Regents, etc.
  • Creativity and Problem Solving (Design Thinking)
  • JEDI – Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
  • Leading with kindness and the art of having difficult conversations
  • Managing change
  • Assessment and using data to make informed decisions

Session Dates for 2023-24

  • September 15
  • October 20
  • November 10
  • December 15
  • January 12
  • February 16
  • March 8
  • April 18 (project presentations)