Creating the leaders of tomorrow is one of the University’s main priorities.  In addition to stellar academic departments and world renowned faculty, USC offers outstanding leadership development programs open to all students.  It is important for first year students to begin developing skills early in their collegiate career.  Though they are not expected to lead student organizations their first year, these USC leadership programs aim to cultivate the skills they will need throughout their collegiate education.

The Art and Adventure of Leadership—MDA 365
USC President Steven B. Sample and Distinguished Professor of Business and University Professor Warren Bennis offer an extraordinary academic opportunity: a four-credit course on the theory and practice of leadership, open by application to USC undergraduates with junior or senior standing. The class meets once a week during the spring semester, on Thursday afternoons from 2:00 to 5:20 p.m., in the Law School Room 130, and includes several evening events, usually following class.

For more information regarding the course, admission requirements and schedules, visit http://mda365.usc.edu/main.html.

Emerging Leaders Program
The Emerging Leader Program (ELP) is open to all students, with an emphasis on freshmen, sophomores, and first-year transfer students who are interested in developing their leadership potential through:

• Community service group projects
• Leadership enhancement seminars
• An annual weekend retreat

ELP is designed to offer students opportunities to explore their leadership potential and abilities through interactive learning and practical skill building.  The program reflects the belief that many of the skills and attributes needed for personal and professional success are acquired outside of or complement knowledge gained inside the classroom.

To learn more about the ELP program visit their main website at http://sait.usc.edu/ca/usclead/programs_elp.html

Inside Track
Inside Track is USC’s newest mentorship program that connects experienced USC leaders with incoming students. The primary goals of the program are to develop USC’s future leaders by providing support and guidance for new students, increasing student awareness of campus and community resources, and creating a network of leaders at USC. The lasting relationships created will help students to figure out the “ins and outs” of USC.

For more information visit http://sait.usc.edu/ca/usclead/programs_inside.html or email them at usclead@usc.edu.

USC LEAD
USC LEAD strives to create valuable educational and development opportunities through leadership training, workshops, and outreach to students at the University of Southern California. USC Lead operates on the belief that effective leadership takes place in the context of a supportive community and results in positive change.

Every semester, USC LEAD provides students with ideas and opportunities to develop their leadership potential by participating in one of many programs offered, such as:

• Leadership Workshops
• A series of sixteen workshops throughout the year designed to test and build leaders at all levels.
• LEADership Week
• A week-long event full of workshops and presentations designed to enrich and develop student leadership skills.
• Adventure LEAD
• An outdoor adventure program that plans trips around Southern California.
• Whether it’s hiking, kayaking, camping, or rock climbing, there is something for everyone!
• Funding opportunities
• Peer Leadership Consultants.
• These students are here to help you with your student organization. If you have questions about leadership strategies, funding, organization management, or virtually anything else, these are the people to talk to.

To learn more about USC LEAD and all of the services provided, please visit the main website at http://sait.usc.edu/ca/usclead/index.html