The Ignite Leadership Program helps freshmen students excel as leaders not just on campus, but beyond. | Courtesy of uh.edu
The Center for Student Involvement’s Ignite Leadership Program is in its second semester and is calling all freshmen who are looking to be better leaders and more active in their community for its third semester beginning in January.
“Ignite teaches the basics of leadership — tools that will help students succeed personally, academically and professionally including time (and) stress management, public speaking, values and ethics,” said Stephanie Schmidt, associate director of leadership and civic engagement for the Center for Student Involvement.
“The purpose of Ignite is to give new student leaders the confidence to get involved on campus and beyond.”
Schmidt built Ignite and coordinates the program with the support of graduate assistant Abbey Hartgrove.
Ignite is a skill-building program that pairs small groups with peer mentors who serve as guides to support the program’s students.
“It will link participants to resources and opportunities across campus. Ignite will encourage freshmen to step up and try something new,” Schmidt said.
As many as 50 first-time freshmen will be chosen to take part in the Spring 2014 section, which will have a special emphasis on getting involved on campus and building positive relationships, according to the Ignite website.
“I was in the Ignite program my sophomore year, and with the tools learned, I truly believe my first semester here at UH could have been a smoother transition,” said broadcast journalism junior Randrea Singleton, an Ignite graduate and mentor.
“In my opinion, it’s so much more important for freshmen to be involved in this program because it helps set the tone for their entire college career,” Singleton said.
The program’s activities include 12 to 14 workshop meetings; an overnight leadership retreat; planning and participation in social and community service events and information about campus events and resources; building student skills in leadership, time and stress management, public speaking, conflict management and ethical decision-making; and much more.
Ignite will host four informational sessions in October: from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday in the University Center Bayou City Room 202; from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday in Cougar Village I Room N-105; and from 10 to 11 a.m. Oct. 11 in the UC Bluebonnet Room 250.
Applications for the freshman Spring 2014 session of Ignite opened Sept. 15 and will be accepted through Oct. 15.
