Current Students > Division of Student Life > Thiel Leadership Development Institute

Vision Statement

The Thiel Leadership Development Institute will promote

the values of integrity, citizenship, ethical leadership,

diversity and service, investing on individuals’ character

as a transformational tool for society.

             Mission Statement

The Thiel Leadership Development Institute serves Thiel students, the college campus, and the local and surrounding community. An important aspect of student development is the acquisition of transferable leadership skills that will serve student-leaders both personally and professionally, on and off campus, instilling in them a commitment to practices that benefit the common good.

The Thiel Leadership Development Institute encourages students to make a personal commitment to leadership through training, education, and development, as well as practical experiences and service-learning opportunities. The TLDI will enhance the undergraduate experience by preparing students to become better and fully engaged citizen-leaders. Moreover, the TLDI will lead students on pathways to excellence and encourage them to practice ethical leadership that will positively impact society.

Goals:

The Thiel Leadership Development Institute promotes and emphasizes ethical and inclusive leadership practices, stressing the value of relationships, community, diversity, civic engagement and responsibility, and integrity as tools for positive change. The goal of the TLDI is to enhance and enlighten students’ critical thinking, knowledge and competencies in leadership, as well as challenge them to develop and implement a bold vision for the future they care about, in the context of a fun yet challenging atmosphere. The TLDI will also invest in such areas of personal and professional development and prepare students for careers.

Overview of the Program:

The Thiel Leadership Development Institute is multifaceted. This initiative will be open to all students wishing to gain and/or improve their leadership skills. Although students applying for this program during their Senior year may not be able to meet all of the requirements in one academic year, they will still be given the opportunity to participate in all events sponsored by the TLDI.

The TLDI offers students a wide range of leadership education and training options such as Leadership Development Seminars, an Exceptional Leaders Series, The LeaderShape® Institute and so forth.

Students will also have the option to participate in additional leadership activities, programs, and events on and off campus, hosted by Thiel College and/or other institutions.

Each student will have the opportunity to design a unique learning program by selecting from a menu of leadership training opportunities, which includes the implementation of a unique community service project.

Each student will also be assigned to a leadership coach, a Thiel staff or faculty member, who will assist the student in his/her leadership experience while in the program.

Students wishing to receive a TLDI Certificate of completion must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete an application form (click here to download the application form).
• Write a 1-2 page personal mission statement upon enrollment in the TLDI.
• Students must accumulate a total of 550 points of which 450 points are awarded upon completion of required activities and an extra 100 points may be earned through elective leadership activities, programs, and/or events. 
• Foundation Series: Students must attend all 12 Foundation Series seminars and may elect other seminars from the Leadership Development Series to complement their leadership experience.
• Attend and graduate from a campus-based or national session of The LeaderShape® Institute.
• Exceptional Leaders Series: Students are required to attend a minimum of two of those events, featuring prominent alumni and other community members who are leaders in businesses, government, and service, during their membership with the TLDI.
• Leadership Practice: Students must be actively involved in a campus organization or do an internship off campus for at least one semester. Students are required to submit a brief paper reflecting on their experience and how this experience has collaborated to their personal and leadership development.
• Community Service: Students must implement a unique community service project outside the scope of class assignments or any other organizational activities (i.e. sororities/fraternities). The project must be approved by the TLDI coordinator. If the student chooses to implement his/her service off campus, an appropriate form will be completed and signed by a supervisor to verify the student's work and completion of his/her project.
• Maintain an active Thiel College E-mail account.
• Be in good academic, judicial, and financial standing with Thiel College.

Benefits of the TLDI:

• Upon completion of the Program students will receive a Leadership Development Institute Certificate.
• Designation on academic transcript.
• Attend The LeaderShape® Institute, an intensive six-day leadership program at no cost. 
• Students will receive assistance and materials that will help them both personally and professionally.
• Opportunity to work and network with other students and successful leaders from Thiel College, other colleges and universities, and the surrounding community.
• Development of personal and professional leadership skills.
• Make a difference in the community by participating in community service projects.

For more information:

Please contact the Division of Student Life

Howard Miller Student Center, 1st Floor

Phone: 724-589-2221