Become a Leader

LEAP is designed to encourage and enhance leadership skills for incoming first-year students prior to Fall Orientation. Students participate in a fun and challenging two-day program with the first day on-campus doing teambuilding and field games and the second day on a ropes course in the local community. The program promotes building relationships and a foundation for academic and leadership success. All students will be assigned to a common section of Connections (the required first-year course).

For more information, please contact Kia Kuresman, director of new student programs.

The Emerging Leaders Initiative is geared toward first-year students interested in exploring their leadership potential and making positive social change in their community, whether on campus or off. Participants begin exploring their own ideas and concepts around leadership and think about ways they want to become an involved leader during their four years at Goucher.

Participants will:

• Reflect on their goals and dreams. They will be challenged to think about: Why do I want to be a leader? What do I have to contribute? Why is it important that I be engaged in my community?
• Ponder their personal values and how that contributes to their leadership styles. They will conceptualize what is important to them and why those key values guide their lives.
• Learn leadership concepts and skills. Walk away with a personal definition of what it means to be a leader and a few new skills to help you be that leader.
• Network with other emerging leaders, current sophomore, junior, or senior class leaders, and staff who are interested in leadership.

The Emerging Leaders Initiative occurs in the fall semester. If you have any questions or are interested in participating, please contact Stacy Patterson, associate director for leadership development.

Goucher Leadership Council (GLC) is a group of upper-class students who serve as peer leadership educators and think outside the box about ways to infuse leadership into the Goucher Community. Since its creation in Fall 2005, GLC has assisted with the Emerging Leaders Initiative, created the Goucher Athletic Leadership (GOAL) program, and planned different events for the Goucher community.  GLC members must apply to the program through an application and interview process, hold a cumulative GPA of 2.5 for rising juniors and seniors, and have demonstrated excellent service and leadership to the Goucher community. 

Interested in learning more about what GLC does or could do for you? Contact Stacy Patterson with any questions.

The Goucher Leadership Scholars program encompasses all of the leadership programs and individual opportunities students participate in over their four years here. Students are asked to reflect upon their experiences, participate in a variety of workshops, retreats, and conferences on leadership, and think critically on the topic of leadership.

In the senior year, all students are encouraged to apply for the Goucher Leadership Scholars designation. Participation in the Senior Capstone Experience is required as one component of the designation. A portfolio presentation to a panel of faculty and staff is also mandatory. This presentation is reflective of the student's leadership experiences on campus and also speaks to how the student has achieved Goucher's leadership learning outcomes.

Timeline for the 2013 Goucher Leadership Scholar program:

Tues, Feb. 12- Application due by 5 p.m. to Stacy Patterson in the Office of Student Engagement

Week of Feb 18: Leadership Theory/Global Citizenship discussions (must attend one)

Sun, March 3: Senior Capstone Experience retreat

Late March/Early April: Capstone presentations

Fri, April 19: Leadership Awards Reception

If all components of the program are successfully completed, the Goucher Leadership Scholars designation is bestowed upon the participants at the annual Leadership Awards Reception in the spring semester. Additionally, all Leadership Scholars are presented a medallion to be worn at Commencement. Please contact Stacy Patterson in the Office of Student Engagement for more information.

The Senior Capstone Experience is one of the requirements for the Goucher Leadership Scholar designation. A day-long retreat for graduating seniors, this program allows participants to reflect upon their leadership experiences, consider how their values affect their leadership, and think about what they want to do as leaders post-Goucher. The retreat also encourages students to consider how they have achieved the leadership learning outcomes.

Following the Senior Capstone Experience retreat, all participants will be asked to meet with the associate director or associate dean of student engagement on an individual basis for follow-up conversations. In early April, participants make a presentation of their reflections to an audience of supporters. The accomplishment is celebrated at the Spring Leadership Awards Reception and the students are awarded a medallion to be worn at graduation.

To apply to be a Goucher Leadership Scholar, please complete the attached application and return to Stacy Patterson in OSE by Tuesday, February 12, 2013. For more information, please contact Stacy Patterson in the Office of Student Engagement.

Connections Peer Facilitators work with instructors of the Connections (FYE 134) program to develop a learning community in this required first-semester course. Connections is designed to provide first-year students with the opportunity to reflect on the adjustments they are making to college life and to think about their choices and responsibilities as a member of a diverse learning community. Peer facilitators provide a peer perspective, serve as small group facilitators, and help to plan gatherings for the students in their section of Connections.

For more information on the Connections Peer Facilitator position, please contact Emily Perl, associate dean of student engagement.

Goucher's Orientation Committee works throughout the year to prepare for the incoming class's Summer Orientation and Fall Orientation programs. A group of approximately 18 students are selected annually to be a part of this prestigious group. Individuals help students in their transition to college and assist various campus departments and offices with the orientation programs. The group is advised by Kia Kuresman, director of new student programs.

An educational program for positional leaders every September, Club Summit serves to assist Goucher's student leaders with practical skill development as well as information regarding policies, procedures, and advice. Each club and organization is required to have at least one representatives present at the event. Club Summit includes opportunities for student leaders to network and build relationships which will hopefully lead to programmatic collaboration and understanding campus event planning policies.

We know that our student athletes take on leadership-on the field and off. To further their understanding of leadership, the Athletics Department, Goucher Leadership Council, and the Office of Student Engagement have collaborated to create the GOAL: Goucher Athletic Leadership Program. Two two-week series held in the fall semester will be offered; the first series will be for team captains and the second series will be for emerging student athlete leaders. Participants will learn how to challenge the process, inspire a shared vision, encourage the heart, model the way, and enable others to act. For more information, please contact Geoff Miller, director of athletics.

The Baltimore Collegetown LeaderShape program connects students across campuses and with their communities to make a better Baltimore. The LeaderShape experience is directed strongly toward civic-minded students-not only leaders and potential leaders, but also students who are passionate about service and engagement within the larger Baltimore community. Participants are given the rare opportunity to network and brainstorm ideas with Baltimore community leaders and college students from around the city over the course of the year-long experience.

Currently, we are recruiting rising sophomores and juniors for the 4th class, and seek nominations from within the Goucher community. We encourage recommendations of students who would not only benefit personally from the experience, but also those who will bring their ideas and passion back to the Goucher community.

Please send your nominations to Stacy Patterson by Wednesday, January 30, 2013. 

Academic Honor Board

The Academic Honor Board hears all cases involving actual and alleged violations of the Academic Honor Code. The board is made up of a chair, a secretary, four student representatives, and faculty members who serve at each hearing. The board is selected by the current chair of the board and the associate dean for undergraduate studies. The associate dean serves as the board coordinator. Anyone who has violated the honor code or has witnessed a violation is honor-bound to report the violation to the chair of the Academic Honor Board or to the coordinator. For more information, see the Academic Honor Code.

Class Officers

Class officers build class unity by organizing social activities, fundraisers, and meetings. Classes can collaborate with other classes, houses, or clubs to sponsor larger events. Senior class officers work with others at the college to coordinate the 100 Nights event, Senior Week, Baccalaureate, the senior class speaker, the class gift, and fundraising. Officers for each of the three returning classes are elected by their class in the spring elections. Officers for the entering class are elected by their class in the fall.

Student Government Association

Every student in the Goucher community is a member of the Student Government Association (SGA). The administrative and legislative duties of the SGA are in the hands of the Executive Board and the Senate (legislative body), respectively. The Executive Board meets weekly and is the steering committee of SGA. The Senate is made up of elected house, class, commuter, and at-large senators. The SGA parliamentarian is selected by the Executive Board and confirmed by the Senate in the fall. The meetings of the Senate are open to the entire student body. Students are encouraged to attend, as well as to address their concerns to their elected SGA representatives. Student awareness of and participation in SGA activities are essential to ensuring the value and effectiveness of the organization. The SGA welcomes the interest and participation of the student body. Anyone who has questions or ideas or wants to volunteer for organization activities should refer to the listed officers or the SGA website. See the SGA Constitution for more information.

Student Judicial Board

The Student Judicial Board hears cases involving alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct. The board is composed of a select group of students, faculty, and staff. Student members are selected by the president of SGA, along with the assistant dean for community living. Faculty and staff members are appointed by the dean of students. Interested students should apply through SGA.

Goucher Student Ambassadors

Goucher Student Ambassadors are students who give campus tours, host overnight guests, and assist with special events for the Admissions Office. In addition, ambassadors can act as Goucher Admissions liaisons to their high schools. The Admissions staff selects Executive Board members each year to head the organization in conjunction with the Admissions Office. Executive Board members assign tour times, arrange overnight stays, and help coordinate special events for Admissions. They are chosen for their enthusiasm, sense of responsibility, and ability to communicate with prospective students and their families about their personal experiences at Goucher.

Community Assistants

Community assistants (CAs)-students hired, trained, and supervised by Office of Community Living staff-live in residence halls, function as peer advisers, and are the initial contacts for students with problems and concerns. CAs are available to help students within the limits of their training, ability, and time. They also direct students to appropriate professional resources both on and off campus. Each CA is assigned to one house and organizes educational programming in the halls, works with roommates who experience conflicts, provides documentation of policy violations, and serves as liaison for Facilities Management Services and academic channels.

Peer Listeners

Goucher's Peer Listening Program is a network of trained students who provide a supplemental support system to students, specifically regarding, but not limited to, those who are or have been affected by sexual and dating violence. Peer listeners are available from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. each night.

Vagabonds

This annual program is a paid opportunity for students to drive through select regions of the United States to attend Sendoff events for the incoming class of students, to meet and learn from Goucher alumnae/i in a variety of settings, and to increase involvement and philanthropic support for the college. The Vagabonds blog their daily experiences back to the online community and document their journey with pictures and video.