2023-2024 Program Requirements for ELP

As participants in the program, Emerging Leader participants are required to:

Engage weekly with a second-year mentor who will be assigned to them as a guide throughout their Emerging Leaders Program Experience.
Participate in leadership events throughout their first year, including the completion of 10 hours of community service and 10 hours of leadership involvement each semester, as well as a group-based project on campus and community needs.
Enroll in VCU Emerging Leaders related core-curriculum courses: REAL301: Principles of Leadership (3 credits- fall semester) and REAL491:Special Topics in Leadership (1 credit-spring semester)
Live in the Emerging Leader community located in the new Gladding Residence Center (GRC), should they choose to live on-campus. **Please note that ELP students living on-campus can only live with other ELP students**
Maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA once at VCU.
Attend bi-weekly meetings with the full program staff and participants, Wednesdays from 5-6pm.
Attend RAM CAMP, a week-long leadership camp for incoming first-year students, from Sunday, August 14-Thursday, August 18
Attend the Emerging Leaders Program kickoff, scheduled for August, 2023

Required Coursework

Fall Semester: REAL301: Principles of Leadership – 3 Credit Hours

This seminar will provide an overview of the theories, models, and perspectives of the field of leadership studies. Students will explore leadership in terms of the role of the leader, the role of the follower, and the context in which leadership occurs. With an emphasis on practical application of leadership theory, students will evaluate their own leadership experiences in terms of the course content, while also exploring contemporary examples of leadership.

Spring Semester: REAL491: Special Topics in Leadership – 1 Credit Hour

This seminar will introduce students to leadership by exploring a variety of different topics. Students will also discuss the ways in which their own leadership development can contribute to their success both in the classroom and their community.

Mandatory Meetings

We have one hour meetings from 5-6PM every other week. These meetings are mandatory for all students to regroup as a program.