College and University Leadership

“The education and development of students as leaders has long served as a central purpose for institutions of higher education as evidence in mission statements and the increased presence of both curricular and co-curricular leadership development programs” according to John P. Dugan and Susan R. Komives in their 2007 study, Developing leadership capacity in college students: Findings from a national study. Dugan and Komives offer the following Ten Recommendations to Enrich Campus Leadership Programs: 1. Discuss socio-cultural issues everyone, 2. Get students involved in at least one organization, 3. Get students to at least one leadership program, 4. Diffuse leadership program across the institution, 5. Focus on members, not just positional leaders, 6. Discourage too much breadth in involvement, 7. Develop mentoring relationships, 8. Design distinct programs for specific groups, 9. Align students’ self-perceptions of leadership competence and confidence, and 10. Build bridges with K-12 educators.

Leadership skills can be learned and developed; similarly to how an athlete develops sport-specific skills or how an educator develops classroom management skills. Learning to lead comes from opportunities to explore, practice, and reflect upon leadership! By seizing “leadership opportunities”, students develop a database of experiences central to their development, both on campus and professionally, into leaders.

EMPOWER has a track record for leveraging “High Reward, Low Risk” adventure programs to develop leaders. Since 2009, our team has facilitated adventure programs for thousands of people across hundreds of different colleges and universities, public and private schools, corporations, and municipalities. Our programs are designed to provide “Learn to Lead” opportunities to participants by providing the tools to (1) strengthen self and group leadership skills, (2) develop higher levels of self-confidence, and (3) think critically, persevere through challenge, and problem solve!

Request Program Pricing, or contact Dan Jaskot (860-652-5690; dan@leadershipsports.com), for details.

In addition to EMERGE and SOAR, Empower offers many adventure experiences that are highly customizable for your group. These programs may take place at EMPOWER or at your College/University! Contact Dan Jaskot, EMPOWER President and General Manager, at (860) 652-5690 or click the request pricing button below for more information about our custom adventures!

• Interactive Leadership Seminars and Presentations
• Residence Life Staff Training & Team Building
• Orientation Leadership Team Building & Facilitator Training
• First Year Success Program
• Student Activities Group Trips
• Greek Life Bonding, Team Building, & Adventure Olympics
• “After Dark Adventures” – Moonlight Zip Line Adventure & Social

Leadership is a concept talked about frequently in colleges and universities. Too often, those discussions end with leadership theory and conversations about their application; falling short in actual hands-on opportunities that empower young adults to explore and refine their leadership skills. Led by EMPOWER President, Dan Jaskot, this interactive team building workshop provides experiences that will give your student leaders a fun and unique perspective on team work; while helping them identify specific trust building behaviors, forge stronger relationships and foster an agreement on expectations for communication. Participants will even walk away with a simple achievement model that can be used every day on projects big and small!

• Sessions start at $500 plus tax (2.5 hours for up to 30 participants)
• Sessions take place indoors – at your College/University conference spaces or gymnasium
• Interactive workshop includes various ground-based group adventure initiatives and challenges