Support student learning by transforming theory into practice.

By participating in the Center for Leadership and Service's Emerging Leaders program, students will be able to transform theory into practice.

Emerging Leaders is an on-going leadership series based on the Social Change Model of Leadership Development offered for Transfer Students at SHSU. A cohort of selected participants commit to attend all programs as they journey together to learn about Leadership, Communication, Individual & Group Values, Team Building, and Active Citizenship. We will be assessing the Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 cohorts.

A rubric indicating various levels of growth in the Emerging Leaders program will be used during each cohort's final presentation to assess participant's ability to transform the Social Change Model theory of leadership into practice.

After participating in the CLS Emerging Leaders program, 90% of participants (from both the fall 2012 and spring 2013 cohorts) will show evidence of applying knowledge and skills to demonstrate application of learned information about leadership in relation to the Social Change Model.

Based on observation of the final project assignment of each cohort of the Emerging Leaders program, an average of 18% of participants showed evidence of applying knowledge and skills to demonstrate comprehension of learned information. We value this demonstration as "transfer of skill/knowledge".

Interestingly, the Fall 2012 cohort averaged 30% of participants as being able to transfer skill/knowledge, with only 8% of the Spring 2013 cohort demonstrating this ability. The majority of participants attempted to apply learned information, however they were not able to show evidence of this ability to transfer knowledge (60% of fall 2012, 75% of spring 2013).

In reviewing the findings for this indicator, we were able to identify three potential actions to improve success. Because this program is not a "for credit" class, there is currently no incentive (other than self development/learning) to entice students to give their best effort on the final project. Secondly, the students were not given the grading criteria before completing the assignment. Lastly, students were given a short time frame to complete the project (between the 5th & 6th sessions).

Next semester/year, the program coordinator will allow students to review the rubric criteria before completing the project, enabling them to have clear project expectations, along with receiving instruction earlier in the semester as to what will be required for the final project. Students will be able to use knowledge and experiences from the program concurrently, while working on the final project. While this program will not be a "for-credit" option next academic year, some students suggested that cords for graduation could possibly be an incentive to put more effort into the final project.

We are also aware that one semester is a short period of time to learn aspects of the Social Change Model and be asked to put theory into action if these transfer students are not already part of a student organization or other opportunity that offers leadership experiences. Therefore, we feel our long-term data collection will showcase this learning and application throughout their college career.

Foster student involvement through participation in student organizations and events. Retain students through interactive programming.

During new student orientation sessions, freshmen will learn about OrgLINK, SHSU's online involvement system, specifically during presentations and Passport to Sam (organization fair). Students will be presented with opportunities to set up their OrgLINK profile and search through involvement opportunities with campus organization and events.

40% of new students attending summer orientation sessions will set up an OrgLINK profile, enabling them to get involved in student organizations and events.

According to the New Student Orientation department, 2120 new SHSU students attended orientation sessions during summer 2013. Of those attending orientation/Passport to Sam, 11% (227 students) created new profiles on OrgLINK, SHSU's online involvement portal.

During new student orientation sessions, we presented general information to both students and parents about student organization involvement and how to locate information and register as a user (set up a profile) on OrgLINK. We also set up a promotional booth during Passport to Sam (orientation organization fair) and used an iPad to show students how to navigate the site. Those visiting the table received an OrgLINK pamphlet, which instructs users in how to set up their profile and begin searching for organizations. However, in relation to the amount of new students attending orientation, the opportunities for speaking directly to students in a 1-on-1 setting were limited. Without directly prompting the students to set up a profile or giving them time to engage the site with us, we lost the "call to action" and follow through for actually creating the OrgLINK profile. During the next academic year, our student staff and OrgLINK ambassadors will schedule opportunities to market OrgLINK in class settings (UNIV 1301) and in the university mall area, in addition to the summer orientation settings to recruit new users.