Concordia University Wisconsin Student-Athlete Leadership Development Program
The Concordia University Wisconsin Student-Athlete Leadership Development Program (SALDP) is designed to serve as a complement to the student-athlete's education at Concordia University Wisconsin, pairing the skills and knowledge they attain in the classroom with strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills. While at Concordia University Wisconsin, these skills will encourage student-athletes to lead and excel on the court, on the ice, on the track, on the field of play, as well as in the classroom and community. In support of the mission of CUW, the athletic department, seeks to develop student-athletes in mind, body, and spirit and the SALDP will support and enhance that mission.
This academic year, we are proud to launch the Concordia Student-Athlete Leadership Development Program presented by Northwestern Mutual North Shore. This initiative will empower Falcons to become effective leaders both on and off the field of play, providing benefits that will serve them long after graduation. Thank you to Alex Marchan and his team at NM North Shore in Whitefish for making this possible as our inaugural Presenting Sponsor!
To enroll, click on the links below.
Fall 2023:
Group Dynamics | Concordia University - Continuing Education Studies (cuw.edu)
Planning as a Leadership Skill | Concordia University - Continuing Education Studies (cuw.edu)
Spring 2024:
Leadership Communication | Concordia University - Continuing Education Studies (cuw.edu)
Leadership Give Back | Concordia University - Continuing Education Studies (cuw.edu)
Mission:
The Mission of SALDP is to empower student-athletes to become effective leaders both on and off the field. Through our comprehensive training program, we aim to develop the skills and attributes necessary for student-athletes to inspire and motivate their teammates, set a positive example, and make a positive impact in their communities. We believe that strong leadership not only enhances team performance but also promotes personal growth and fosters a culture of excellence.
Goals:
To develop student-athletes into lifelong learners and leaders
To provide student-athletes opportunities to learn leadership skills and theories while reflecting on their own abilities and experiences
To create an environment for development and growth through active, diverse and experiential learning activities
To build engagement in student-athletes that will inspire action – living the vision in their teams, CUW, and the community
Format:
SALDP is a curriculum-based program that will provide athletes, at different stages of their careers, with the skill sets to become stronger, more dynamic leaders. In order to complete the program, one must earn 12 points. These 12 points will be comprised of a minimum of eight points from the core curriculum, and the remaining points will be filled with electives. Student-athletes must have completed five points by the end of sophomore year and eight points by the end of junior year to be able to continue in the program. While this program is not an accredited part of the University's academic curriculum, student-athletes must complete 12 points in order to complete the Concordia University Wisconsin Student-Athlete Leadership Development Program and receive a certificate of completion.
Core Curriculum:
Year 1 Emerging Falcons
Fall
Teamwork/Teambuilding and the benefits/responsibilities of athletic participation (1 point)
First-year student-athletes will be presented with concepts, strategies, and activities designed to build and lead effective teams. Participants will also be exposed to the expectations of being on a team locally and being a University ambassador more broadly.
Spring
Leadership Theory/Leadership Styles/Leadership of Self (1 point)
First-year student-athletes will be introduced to selected, widely recognized, foundational leadership theories. The discussion will focus on identifying leadership skills and developing personal leadership styles. Participants will be confronted with the idea of self-leadership and the challenges of team and organizational leadership.
Year 2 Rising Falcons
Fall
Overcoming adversity/Conflict and Change management (1 point)
Adversity may manifest itself as a misfortune, a troubling situation, or hardship. Everyone will face adversity at some point in their lives and will encounter conflicts. Second-year student-athletes will be discussing adversity and strategies for dealing/coping with it. Participants will further examine conflict and change within a team/organization/person and discuss resources and strategies for managing conflict and change.
Spring
Real-World Leadership with Alumni Guest Speaker (1 point)
Second-year student-athletes will be invited to attend a presentation by a former CUW Falcon. The presentation will focus on the alumnus’ daily leadership opportunities, challenges, and strategies. Alumnus will be asked to correlate the lessons learned as a student-athlete with how they have or have not prepared them for leadership in the professional setting.
Year 3 Soaring Falcons
Fall
Group Dynamics (1 point)
Third Year student-athletes will be introduced to group dynamics and the processes and outcomes involved when people in a group interact with each other. Students will learn how groups are constructed, how they behave, and the influence of teamwork on innovation and productivity within an organization.
Spring
Leaders Give Back (1 point)
Third-year student-athletes will be led through discussions and exercises designed to focus on the humility required to be an effective leader. Participants will cover topics including service, gratitude, self-awareness and purpose. Students will identify people or groups that have been positive influences, sources of inspiration, and role models in their lives. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their identity, life journey, and purpose as they look to impact the lives of others.
Year 4 Falcons in Service
Fall
Planning as a Leadership Skill (1 point)
Fourth-year student-athletes will develop planning skills to become effective leaders. Planning is a critical skill for leaders to guide their organizations towards success. This presentation will cover both theoretical and practical skills to enhance learning and application.
Spring
Leadership Communication (1 point)
Fourth-year student-athletes will be exposed to the importance of clear and compelling communication in a leadership role, as well as strategies for engaging and inspiring team members. Participants will gain an understanding of the role of effective communication in motivating and influencing others, as well as in managing conflicts and resolving conflict.
Electives:
Captains Institute – Must be a current captain or a member of your team’s leadership council (1 credit)
Career Development Workshop- students receive credit for attending and participating (1 credit)
Volunteer Service- Must be a service project outside of team service activities (1 credit)
CUW campus engagement – Participants must attend a non-athletic campus event (1 credit)
SAAC Membership – Student SAAC members can receive credit for 1 semester of participation (1 credit)
Speaker Sessions (campus leaders, professors, community leaders, etc.) Participants receive credit for attending these planned presentations. (1 credit)
Health and Wellness Initiatives – students receive credit for participating in planned programming. (1 credit)
Core Course Goals and Objectives
Teamwork/Teambuilding and the benefits/responsibilities of athletic participation (1 point)
First-year student-athletes will be presented with concepts, strategies, and activities designed to build and lead effective teams. Participants will also be exposed to the expectations of being on a team locally and being a University ambassador more broadly.
- Role of intercollegiate athletics in higher education
- Rights and responsibilities of being on a team
- To experience effective teamwork
- To understand and explain how group process, group structure, and organizational context influence team effectiveness
- To assess your own qualities as a team member and understand how individual team member characteristics influence team effectiveness
- To analyze and evaluate models of team development and team effectiveness
Leadership Theory/Leadership Styles/Leadership of Self (1 point)
First-year student-athletes will be introduced to selected, widely recognized, foundational leadership theories. The discussion will focus on identifying leadership skills and developing personal leadership styles. Participants will be confronted with the idea of self-leadership and the challenges of team and organizational leadership
- Kurt Lewin, Blake Moutin, Transactional vs Transformational Leadership
- Develop a fundamental understanding of leadership and the skills manifest in effective leaders.
- Demonstrate effective techniques and strategies for articulating a vision.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the steps involved in setting goals.
- Demonstrate comprehension of the elements and processes involved in decision-making.
- Discuss the roles of empowering and delegating as effective leadership skills.
- Discuss the role of a leader in initiating change and helping others to adjust to change.
- Identify their personal leadership orientation and philosophy.
Overcoming adversity/Conflict and Change management (1 point)
Adversity may manifest itself as a misfortune, a troubling situation, or hardship. Everyone will face adversity at some point in their lives and will encounter conflicts. Second year student-athletes will be discussing adversity and strategies for dealing/coping with it. Participants will further examine conflict and change within a team/organization/person and discuss resources and strategies for managing conflict and change.
- Deal effectively with setbacks
- Find the fastest solutions to your challenges
- Draw from your creativity to find new solutions
- Get through hopeless situations
- Believe in yourself and your dreams even during tough times
- Use failure to your advantage
- Motivate yourself to do great things
- Maintain enthusiasm in the face of adversity
- Finish what you start
- Understand and explore how your personal experiences have empowered and changed you.
- Defined and allowed you to take an honest look at the challenges, the vulnerabilities you experienced and the strength you have developed.
- Build cognitive capacity and emotional stability in balancing and honoring your own unique experience and journey.
- Discover ways to assess your own abilities in the areas of coping, finding inner success, and creating a wellness package for yourself.
Group Dynamics (1 point)
Third Year student-athletes will be introduced to group dynamics and the processes and outcomes involved when people in a group interact with each other. Students will learn how groups are constructed, how they behave, and the influence of teamwork on innovation and productivity within an organization.
- understanding of principles of group dynamics, including group process components, developmental stage theories, group members’ roles and behaviors, and therapeutic factors of group work
- understanding of group leadership styles and approaches, including characteristics of various types of group leaders and leadership styles
- become more conscious of his/her personal growth through participation as a group member
Leaders Give Back (1 point)
Third-year student-athletes will be led through discussions and exercises designed to focus on the humility required to be an effective leader. Participants will cover topics including service, gratitude, self-awareness and purpose. Students will identify people or groups that have been positive influences, sources of inspiration, and role models in their lives. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their identity, life journey, and purpose as they look to impact the lives of others.
- Unlocking a joyful, purpose-filled, generous lifestyle
- How giving back can enhance your personal and professional performance, credibility, and relationships
- Serving and service
- It is not about me
Planning as a Leadership Skill (1 point)
Fourth-year student-athletes will develop planning skills to become effective leaders. Planning is a critical skill for leaders to guide their organizations toward success. This presentation will cover both theoretical and practical skills to enhance learning and application.
- Understand the importance of organizational Vision, Mission and Goals
- Understand the importance of decision-making and accountability
- Define and create a Work Breakdown Structure
- Identify and understand task relationships
- Create a communication plan
- Effectively allocate project resources
- Update and monitor the project schedule
- Strategic Planning
Leadership Communication (1 point)
Fourth-year student-athletes will be exposed to the importance of clear and compelling communication in a leadership role, as well as strategies for engaging and inspiring team members. Participants will gain an understanding of the role of effective communication in motivating and influencing others, as well as in managing conflicts and resolving conflicts.
- Discover the inner strengths of your communication potential by harnessing your communication intelligence
- Build skills in creating compelling and relevant messages as well as displaying impactful leadership presence
- Expand your communication capacity to motivate and inspire people, as well as successfully connect organizational vision, strategy and execution
- Learn how to communicate with various stakeholders within differing situations, in an effective and efficient manner.
- Understand the power of the “less is more” philosophy when it comes to clearly communicating in both written and spoken language.
- Understand and learn how to utilize persuasion techniques to increase the likelihood of obtaining positive support. –
- Comprehend and critically evaluate how communication influences individuals in all levels of the organization