Current Students > Division of Student Life > TLDI > Category of Activities & Points Allotted

The Thiel Leadership Development Institute is multifaceted.

The TLDI offers students a wide range of leadership education and training.

Each student will have the opportunity to design a unique learning program

by selecting from the following menu of leadership training opportunities...

Leadership Development Series: Seminars will be offered on a variety of topics surrounding leadership and issues facing student-leaders. Each seminar will be approximately one and a half hours in length and will be scheduled throughout the year in different days and times to allow for individual scheduling conflicts.
(15 points per seminar)

Foundation Series: These are twelve required seminars within the Leadership Development Series plus twelve elective seminars.
(180 points - 15 points per seminar)

The LeaderShape® Institute: LeaderShape®, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization committed to developing young adults to lead with integrity™. Thiel College will host campus-based sessions of The LeaderShape® Institute, which is an intensive and energizing six-day leadership program held off campus and one of the premier leadership development programs for young adults in the country.
(120 points)

Exceptional Leaders Series: A series featuring prominent alumni and other community members who are leaders in businesses, government, and service, will be offered at least one time per semester. In addition to attending these special events, students may also attend pre-approved lectures sponsored by other campus departments and/or organizations or other institutions featuring guest leaders.
(25 per presentation)

Leadership Practice: Students are expected to be active members of one or more campus student organization or participate in an internship in a community organization for at least one semester. Internships may be arranged with Thiel’s Career Center. This experience will allow students to practice their leadership skills in a variety of settings.
(100 points total)

Community Service: A major component of the TLDI is community service. Students will implement a unique community service project on or off campus. Students will have the option to do it as a group. Upon assessment of community needs, each student/group will turn in a project proposal that must be evaluated and approved by the TLDI coordinator.

Leadership Conferences: Students may attend off campus leadership conferences. Students may receive points toward the TLDI for their participation. Students must have the program pre-approved by the TLDI coordinator and submit proof of attendance (i.e. certificate), a written report on their personal growth at the conference, and also arrange to present a summary of its content to an organization of their choice at Thiel, in order to earn the allotted points.
(25 points per conference)

Leadership Capstone: Students will have the option of completing a leadership capstone project. The project must deal with an aspect of leadership, an important leader in history, or any relevant topic in leadership. The projects will be presented at a “Leadership Showcase” on campus. Students are encouraged to be creative in their presentations. The presentation will be open to the college community and special guests.
(50 points)

Day of Leadership: The TLDI will promote a “Day of Leadership” for High School students. Student-leaders will have the option of coordinating and/or facilitating activities for this type of event. The TLDI coordinator will select students to serve in these events.
(25 points per day of contribution – 50 max.)

Leadership Readings: The TLDI coordinator and/or leadership coaches will suggest special readings on leadership throughout the year and schedule periodical discussion groups. Topics assigned will vary. Students are responsible for purchasing their own books.
(10 points per meeting attended)

Leadership on the Screen: Student-leaders will have the option to watch relevant movies which will be followed by discussions. Movies will feature a world leader or other leadership related topics. Students will be timely informed of when and where the movies will be shown.
(10 points per movie)

The TLDI will also offer:

Leadership Coach: Each student will be assigned to a leadership coach. He/she will be a Thiel staff or faculty member who has been informed of the goals and philosophy of the TLDI. It will be the responsibility of the coach and the student to meet on a regular basis to discuss the student’s progress and the expectations they might have for the remainder of the student’s leadership experience at Thiel. Coaches will work in partnership with the TLDI coordinator.

Leadership on Demand: The TLDI is a resource for the entire campus community. It will be open to receiving requests on presentations that would suit organizational needs on campus. Two weeks notice is required for students and/or organizations requesting this service. Please contact the TLDI coordinator to request or schedule presentations.