Student Organization Leadership Councils:
Collaborative Leadership in Action
About the Model
As a leader in global education and innovation, Northeastern University is committed to shaping the leaders of tomorrow. Participation in student organizations is paramount to the university's leading education model and provides participants with additional experiential opportunities outside of the classroom. To better support our student organizations as they continue to be innovative forces on campus, the Center for Student Involvement has developed a model that provides our more than 325 student-run organizations with the opportunity to discuss important topics relating to the operation of their organizations while also providing an outlet for key leaders to come together and collaborate with faculty, staff and fellow leaders.
Learn More:
Foundational Pillars Council Descriptions Frequently Asked Questions
Each council will take part in discussions led by chairpersons that are members of the university staff. These facilitators will develop conversations that center around:
- Self Efficacy
- Community & Civic Engagement
- Leadership
- Innovation & Creativity
- Assessment
- Collaboration & Communication
Creative & Visual Arts Leadership Council
About: Organizations within this council represent a broad interest in creative art forms such as fine art, literary and cinema art, fashion design and more. As creative arts organizations, they seek to collaborate together to provide the Northeastern community with opportunities for students to showcase their innovation and participation in the arts, regardless of academic pursuits.
Staff Chairperson: Jason Campbell-Foster, Director of the Center for Student Involvement
Experiential & Professional Leadership Council
About: Organizations within this council will support the university’s academic programs and seek to provide students important professional experiences and connections while on campus. Affiliated closely with Academic Affairs, these organizations supplement the high quality education offered at Northeastern by connecting students outside of the classroom in the interest of their academic pursuits.
Staff Chairperson: Chiquita Baylor, Assistant Director of Student Engagement
Outdoor Adventure & Wellness Leadership Council
About: With an emphasis on leading an active and healthy lifestyle, these organizations unite together to provide the community with educational opportunities and/or outdoor activities that will promote overall personal wellness at Northeastern. Furthermore, these groups discuss risk management practices to increase the level of safety within group activities.
Staff Chairperson: Sarah Weiner, Assistant Director of Student Engagement
Advocacy & Global Impact Leadership Council
About: Organizations within this council provide opportunities for students to connect on issues affecting global communities. With a focus on raising awareness regarding issues that face all citizens, these organizations strive to create high impact programs to raise awareness to the many challenges within our global community. Furthermore, they share a common commitment to creating a just society based on
principles of equality and solidarity.
Staff Chairperson: Jace Kirschner, Assistant Director/Coordinator of LGBTQA Programs & Services
Print & Broadcast Media Leadership Council
About: Organizations specializing in print and broadcast media provide support to one another to enhance the quality of viewership of campus media.
Staff Chairperson: Sarah Weiner, Assistant Director of Student Engagement
Performing Arts Leadership Council
About: Showcasing the limitless talents of the student body, these organizations provide the Northeastern community with outlets to showcase creativity in dance, song, acting and instrumental performance.
Staff Chairperson: Jeff Benham, Program & Ticket Manager
Political Action Leadership Council
About: United together under an interest and appreciation for world politics and social action, these organizations seek to educate the university community on pressing issues relating to politics, policy and global climates.
Staff Chairperson: Bob Jose, Associate Dean of Cultural, Residential & Spiritual Life
Leadership & Governing Council
About: As representative bodies at Northeastern, these organizations are charged with being the voice of a diverse population of students on campus.
Staff Chairperson: Jason Campbell-Foster, Director of the Center for Student Involvement
Interfaith Council
About:
Staff Chairperson: Alex Kern, Executive Director-Center for Spirituality, Dialogue & Svc
Community Engagement Leadership Council
About: As a pillar of the Northeastern community, serviced based organization will come together to provide opportunities to the student body, but will also provide a forum for discussion on the impacts of service to the community. Groups within this council are supported by the staff in GCR and collaborate with various departments to create a significant impact on campus.
Staff Chairperson: Desiree Walker, Program & Event Coordinator
International & Cultural Leadership Council
About: Understanding, appreciating and promoting diverse cultures on campus is key to realizing the university’s goal of being a leader in global education. These organizations focus on pride and celebration of our many global cultures and host programs to expose the campus community to our richly diverse
population.
Staff Chairperson: Bob Jose, Associate Dean-Cultural, Residential & Spiritual Life
Graduate Group Leadership Council
About: With a focus on creating rich and meaningful opportunities to engage our graduate students in student and community life, these organizations provide key elements of a unique and sustainable graduate student life program.
Staff Chairperson: Steph Pierce, Assistant Director of Program Operations
Academic Enrichment Leadership Council
About: Supplementing the academic programs hosted in our various colleges, these organizations provide opportunities for students to interact and connect outside of the classroom to expand upon learning and to further experiential opportunities. These organizations will advocate for extra-curricular involvement by faculty and department leadership.
Staff Chairperson: Chiquita Baylor, Assistant Director of Student Engagement
Community Connection Leadership Council
About: These organizations work to build communities of support with key populations internal to Northeastern.
Staff Chairperson: Steph Pierce, Assistant Director of Program Operations
Special Interest Leadership Council*
About: The primary purpose of social interest organizations is to provide students with the social interactions and entertainment opportunities outside of the classroom. They represent the broad interests of our student body and offer a fun and non-competitive atmosphere for students to unite over commonalities.
Staff Chairperson: Quinn Emmons, Administrative Coordinator
Competition & Skill Leadership Council*
About: These organizations provide students the opportunity to participate in campus or inter-collegiate competitions focusing on many interests and skills.
Staff Chairperson: Quinn Emmons, Administrative Coordinator
*Due to current size, these councils will be combined for the Spring 2013 semester.
Your Organization's New Classification & Council
To see a list of the groups that will be classified under each category and which groups will make up each council above, please take a moment to review the PDF here: Council_Assignments.
Q: How often will the Student Organization Leadership Councils meet? When will the meetings be held?
A: Please click here to view the PDF of council assignments
Q: How long will the council meetings be?
A: No longer than 1.5 hours.
Q: Who from our organization will be required to attend? Is our attendance required?
A: All organizations will be required to have their president or executive board designee serve on the council. Groups are free to choose which member it will be and they must indicate that on their registration form in January. We recommend it be an executive board member that can make decisions on behalf of the group.
Q: What is the attendance policy if our representative cannot make it?
A: It is very important that the same person attend as required in order for your organization to get the most out of this model. In the event your organization's representative cannot make the meeting, another member of the executive board must attend in his or her place. If your organization has two absences from the council each year, your organizations standing as a recognized student organization will be placed in jeopardy.
Q: Who will the staff chairperson be for my council? What is their role?
A: Staff council chairs are members of the university staff who are responsible for developing the curriculum for each meeting and will lead the discussions. Furthermore, each council will have a representative from either the Student Involvement Board or GSG.
Q: What is the role of the Student Involvement Board and/or GSG liaison?
A: Representatives from SGA and GSG will be seated on these councils to be in a better situation to advocate for you and your organization at larger senate meetings. They will be your connection to your peers charged with improving the student involvement atmosphere on campus.
Q: What if I feel like my organization is classified incorrectly?
A: With any new initiative, assessments will need to be done to make sure organizations are getting the most out of their participation. If at the close of your first council meeting you feel as though your organization may need to be reclassified, please speak with your council chair. At the end of the spring 2013 semester, all participants will take part in a survey where they can provide feedback on the model. This feedback will be taken into account before the fall 2013 relaunch.
Q: There are a lot of expectations already of student leaders-we are busy-how will another meeting help us?
A: Good question, with multiple answers. The short answer is that it will be a rewarding experience for participants for a number of reasons: 1) you get face time with organizations that have similar missions and goals. Think of all the great collaborative ideas that can come from meeting with them regularly; 2) Many of the presentations and meetings that you have now (finance board trainings, SOAR workshops, etc.) can all be condensed into these meetings! Just think, meeting more students, generating some awesome ideas AND having the important information come directly to you! It's a win-win.
Q: Will the Graduate Group Leadership Council be run the same as undergraduate councils?
A: Not entirely. While the purpose of the council program will be imbedded into the graduate student council, the councils will meet less frequently than the undergraduate councils (1-2 meetings per semester). Work is still underway on the specifics of the graduate council - so please stay tuned!
Q: Am I still allowed to collaborate with organizations not represented on my council?
A: Absolutely! This is highly encouraged and should continue.
Q: With the new classifications, will my Campus Activities program manager change?
A: No. Your organization will be working with the same program managers as assigned through the end of the spring semester before the normal shift during the summer.
Q: What happens next?
A: Between now and the middle of December, we are hard at work to construct a curriculum for these meetings thanks to feedback from SGA, GSG and others. Before the semester ends, your organizations' president will be contacted by your council chair to discuss your first meeting time, some specifics relating just to your respective council and to introduce you to some cool tools to help you stay connected to your council between meetings. Presidents at this time will designate who from the executive board will represent the group at the spring meetings.
Q: What if I have more questions on this that the website did not answer?
A: As always, your program managers can be great resources for you. Reach out to them and they are happy to help!