LGBT Campus Center ~ UW-Madison

Leadership Opportunities

Queer Emerging Leaders Program (QELP)
Leadership Institute
Student Organizations
Campus Center Student Staff

Leadership Resources

Queer Emerging Leaders Program (QELP)

Vision:
A foundation for queer and allied students to start exploring queer identity and fundamental leadership in the social justice realm.

Mission:
QELP provides a safe space for LGBT and Allied students to develop leadership skills and explore sexual identity in the social justice realm. The eight-week, non-credit seminar is tailored for first and second year students, but all are welcome. QELP uses the Social Change Model in the form of facilitated activities and dialogue, in a addition to a four-hour service learning component. This LGBTA leadership program was created to address the need for an outlet for first and second year students to tap into the resources provided by the LGBT Campus Center as well as the need to learn how to incorporate queer identity into involvement and leadership.

What is the Queer Emerging Leaders Program?
The Queer Emerging Leaders Program is a leadership series that has been specifically developed to focus on the leadership needs and interests of the LGBT Community. All workshops are focused around LGBT topics: coming out, being out in the workplace, conflicts within the queer community, being an ally within and outside of the LGBT Community and serving the broader community.

Students who participate in this 8-week series will gain experience that will shape their leadership skills to better serve their community and identity as a leader in the LGBT community.

How is the program developed
This series uses the seven C's of the Social Change Model of Leadership Development.

Consciousness of Self
Congruence
Commitment
Collaboration
Common Purpose
Controversy with Civility
Citizenship

Why should I consider getting involved?
Getting involved with QELP will help you:

Gain Leadership Skills
Meet other LGBT students
Develop a stronger sense of self
Give back to your community
Make friends
Improve your resume

Who do I contact if I have questions?
Stop by the LGBT Campus Center for more information or email the Leadership Development Specialist.

LGBTA Leadership Institute

What are the goals of the Leadership Institute?
The goal of the LGBTA Leadership Institute is to develop future leaders for campus by:
1) orienting them to campus processes
2) developing a sense of collegiality among future leaders, and
3) introducing them to basic leadership skills.

Who can apply for the Leadership Institute?
Anyone can apply for the Leadership Institute; however the goal is to develop future leaders, so we particularly encourage freshman and sophomore applicants.

Wait! I'm straight, can I still apply?
Of course! The Leadership Institute would like to emphasize the importance of allies and is designed with the ally community in mind. Everyone should take this as an opportunity to challenge oneself.

What if I already have a lot of leadership experience on campus or from my high school or community experiences?
That's great! We will have sessions to meet all skill levels! We welcome participants who have no experience as well as those who do have experience. All leaders should seek out ongoing development opportunities. The LGBT Leadership Institute will be strengthened by having participants of all leadership levels.

What is the format/schedule of the Leadership Institute?
We typically leave campus on a Friday afternoon and return to campus the following Sunday afternoon. The Leadership Institute will include a series of "get-to-know" each other activities as well as a variety of workshops on leadership issues such as team building, Mission/Vision/Goals, conflict management, student org retention, privilege/oppression, etc.

What if I want to participate, but can't leave Madison until Saturday morning, or can't stay the whole time?
Participants need to be able to commit to the entire weekend of the Leadership Institute; if the timing for this Leadership Institute doesn't work well for you, there are several other leadership training opportunities available on campus; Talk to the LGBT Campus Center staff. We can direct you towards some of the other opportunities.

How do I apply?
Simple! When applications become available, complete the application and return it to the campus center! We are limited in the number of participants we can take, so we'll work quickly to evaluate the applications and notify you of your selection.

Campus Center Student Staff

info forthcoming