Leadership and Citizenship

Otterbein students are leaders.

They lead in their classrooms, in their communities, in their lives. And we support their efforts with a variety of opportunities, including:

• Cardinal Leadership Awards: An annual spring event to recognize the academic and leadership achievement of Otterbein students, sponsored by the Center for Student Involvement. Awards are given for Cardinal Pride, Advisor of the Year, Program of the Year, Organization of the Year and the Cardinal Leadership Award. Award are also given for  Outstanding Contributions to: Student Life; Athletics, Recreation or Health and Wellness; Religious and Spiritual Life; Celebration of Diversity and Community Service.
• Dean Van Sant Leadership Series: The goal of this program is to engage our students in discussions and workshops about leadership, helping them understand the importance of being a student leader within our Otterbein Community and as an engaged citizen. The series is named after Joanne Van Sant, a treasured member and leader of the Otterbein community for many decades.

Leader's Creed by Joanne Van Sant

To help each member realize his/her worth to the organization by involving each in some capacity.

To set an example for others to follow, to place respect above popularity and honor above all else.

To be able to deal with the unpleasant as well as the pleasant, and be unafraid to admit my mistakes as I work to correct them.

To learn when flexibility is an asset or a liability, to reject what's popular unless it works for good, and to be willing to stand alone when necessary in order not to sacrifice my integrity.

To positively support policies, which strengthen the group, to rise above intimidation, and be willing to accept the fact that leadership can at times be lonely.

To constantly search for new ideas, which may or may not by better then the old ones, and to take advantage of every opportunity to develop skills needed in my leadership position.

May I dare to be different, dare to be courageous, dare to be creative, dare to challenge others as I am challenged, and dare to make time for this important task.

Hopefully I will fulfill my leadership role in such a way that when my term of service is over I can feel as sense of pride and satisfaction in knowing I have done my best.

Mission & Goals

The goal of experiences in leadership and citizenship is to prepare students for meaningful lives as members of communities (local, regional, national, global), as citizens, and as leaders in a variety of contexts. Leadership experiences ask students to engage in:

1. influencing groups and individuals to accomplish objectives deemed important by those groups, and/or
2. creating meaningful change in any of a variety of contexts (campus organizations, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, governmental policy, and actions of individuals and collectives).

Citizenship experiences assist students in developing attitudes, knowledge and skills for lives of social and civic responsibility. Attendance and/or active participation in activities such as governmental meetings, political campaigns, voter participation programs and projects designed to develop awareness or build consensus provide students with citizenship experiences.

Knowledgeable:

• Students will gain a great understanding of their own personal identities, intelligences and personalities and how these shape their leadership and followership.

Multi-literate:

• Students will develop a comprehensive set of practical skills and tools to rely on through leadership practice.
• Students will be able to transfer leadership skills to different situations.
• Students will develop information literacy skills that assist them in developing increased understanding of social/civic/political issues and the primary positions taken on them.
• Students will develop skills in engaging in constructive dialogue with those who hold different views on moral and civic issues.
• Students will develop skills in creating reasoned discourse to persuade those who disagree with them.

Engaged:

• Students will learn to practice team leadership through active group participation.

Responsible:

• Students will learn to act out of humanitarian values, such as being committed to social justice, and engage in social responsibility.
• Students will develop a sense of confidence and understanding of their ideas, beliefs, and values.
• Students will develop an understanding of political differences and a respect for those who hold positions different from theirs.

Inquisitive:

• Students will come to realize that serving as a leader is more than holding a formal position.
• Students will develop an interest in learning more about social and community issues.