Leadership Institute

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Interested in applying?

Applications for Fall 2026 will open soon! The priority deadline is May 15; students that apply for the Leadership Institute after the deadline, or after capacity has been reached, will be placed on a waitlist.

As spots in the program become available, students on the waitlist will be contacted in the order in which their application was received. If you have questions, please email marvincenter@bgsu.edu. 

Through a leadership development course and meaningful teamwork, Leadership Institute (LI) participants have the opportunity to attend a leadership retreat, plan and implement a service project, and gain invaluable leadership experiences and insights during their first year at BGSU.

Students interested in the Leadership Institute must submit an application for acceptance.

The Leadership Institute (LI) is a values-based leadership program for first-year students that develops emerging leaders with the confidence, ability, and passion to be active and engaged leaders in their communities. The Leadership Institute takes place during the Fall Semester of the first year.

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The C. Raymond Marvin Center for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement’s Leadership Institute develops self-aware leaders who have the skills to build professional networks and create personal connections within their cohort and throughout campus. Guided by the ideals of servant leadership, students participate in service-learning and leadership projects that enhance the community. Participants begin learning the skills and competencies necessary for a successful life and career. Additionally, participants can count this course (LEAD 1000) towards completing the BGSU Leadership minor.

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Leadership programming at Bowling Green State University seeks to develop the following competencies in student leaders.

  • Purpose
  • Integrity
  • Group Development
  • Global Citizenship
  • Purpose: Understanding personal and organizational values and establishing a sense of purpose that contributes to the development of others.
  • Integrity: Acting in an ethical and legal manner that is harmonious with personal and organizational values.
  • Group Development: The ability to manage and lead individuals in the establishment and execution of group goals.
  • Global Citizenship: Versatility in leadership and communication style that is respectful of cultural context and implications.
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Leadership Institute members enroll in a 3-credit hour experience combining LEAD 1000 and BGSU 1910 courses. LEAD 1000: Foundations of Leadership is a leadership development course that gives participants the opportunity to plan and implement a service project, participate in personal, team, and professional development opportunities, learn valuable leadership skills and theories. This course takes a deep dive into the study of leadership development and offers students information on how to get involved during their time on campus.

LEAD 1000 is a life design-affiliated course in collaboration with the Radbill Center, empowering students with the tools and resources to design and plan their own college journey.

LI students will attend our annual fall retreat which is an out of class experience where they will participate in team-building activities with their cohort and practice valuable leadership techniques such as group consensus, communication, and problem-solving. All LI students are required to attend and have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with their cohort. 

Leadership Retreat 2025

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In keeping with the core values of Bowling Green State University, cohort members will be designing, coordinating, and implementing a service project that they will work on all semester. Students will be divided into groups in their LEAD 1000 course. Each group will participate in a service-learning project that enhances the community. By taking part in this project, cohort members help others, put the relational leadership model and servant leadership theory into practice, and represent BGSU at its highest. 

Following the completion of the project, each group will also give a formal presentation on the project in front of campus community members. All group members must actively participate in planning the service project and final presentation.

Updated: 01/28/2026 01:25PM