Winter Term Student Leaders

How do I become a student leader?

Students from various backgrounds and interests apply to be student leaders.  Many have participated in a previous Off Campus Winter Term course, but this is not a requirement.  Even so, students that have experience with a particular course, location, language, course topic, and/or previous leadership experience are encouraged to apply.  The application process is outlined below:

Steps to apply:

Please read carefully, incomplete applications will not be considered.

1. Preparation: Review the below student leadership roles to determine if there is one that best fits your skills and interests.
2. Online Application: please come back Feb. 22nd to access the application.
3. Cover Letter and Resume*: You are required to submit a cover letter and resume to complete your application.  Please submit your cover letter and resume as an email attachment sent to opportunities@depauw.edu.  In the subject line, please write: WT Student Leader application. 
4. Please be sure to submit your application materials on or by March 17th.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.

*If you would like help with your cover letter and/or resume, please visit CGPOpps in the UB Lobby for Bar Advising M-F 10am-4pm.

2013-14 Application Schedule

March 14	Tentative date for Interest Meeting
March 17	Application Deadline
March 22	Notice to schedule interviews
April 1-5	Interviews
April 3	Winter Term Open House 11-1, UB Ballroom (chance to meet faculty leaders)
April 12	Candidates offered position
April 17	Winter Term Course applications due and Student Leader commitments due
April 23	New Student Leader Orientation, 4-6:00 (date & time tentative)
May 10	Orientation for WTIS courses, 11:30-12:30 (date & time tentative)
Aug. TBD	Leadership retreat and duties begin

*Dates are subject to change.

Where can I lead in 2014?

A complete list of leadership positions is expected February 22. The below list is anticipated courses, but please keep checking back for updates in the list of courses supported by student leadership and the details of those courses.

Winter Term in Service:

Course Focus	Location	Partner	Faculty Leader	Faculty Leader
Public Health	Santa Marta, El Salvador	CoCoDA	Marie Pickerill	Eli Covarrubias
Global Health	Tena, Ecuador	Timmy Global Health	TBD	TBD
Religion, Basketball, and Youth Leadership	Belfast, N. Ireland	PeacePlayers International	Bill Fenlon	Tom Chiarella
Coal, Impact & Importance	Appalachia, W. Virginia	Big Creek People in Action	Michael (Mick) Risdon	TBD
Coral Reef Education & Preservation	Maui, Hawaii	Steve Stone Coral Reef Foundation	Kellin Stanfield	TBD

Winter Term Study Courses:

To be determined, check back on or after February 22..

Why be a student leader?

• Leadership Development- Put your leadership skills to the test in a role that supports your leadership development through: one-on-one leadership advising, a peer support system with other leaders, and the opportunity to participate in the Hartman Servant Leadership Series.
• Making connections- (AKA Networking) with your peers, faculty and staff, host partners...
• Have a voice in your education- help plan your winter term course and experience.
• Professional Development- build your skills, build your resume.
• Financial support- a portion of your Winter Term course fee will be covered.

Roles and Responsibilities

Program Leader

The Program Leader works closely with the faculty/staff leaders to prepare and organize the team, support logistics coordination, and act as the liaison between the WT staff, faculty/staff leaders and the team. He/She will coordinate team meetings throughout the semester, go on the summer site visit with one of the faculty/staff leaders (when necessary), and be in contact with the host partner for his/her site. The Program Leader will work with the faculty/staff leaders on the site-specific and cultural education for team members, stressing the importance of knowledge of the community the team is to visit, striving to enhance interaction and collaboration between team members and local people while on-site. The Program Leader and faculty/staff leader will determine the agenda for the trip, help plan weekend activities, coordinate the pre-departure agenda in January, as well as help collect team evaluations.

Reflections Leader

The Reflections Leader (RL) is responsible for preparing and leading team reflections throughout the duration of their program.   They are critical to the team-building process prior to departure and on-site. They also support an important part in the experiential learning process; that is, creating links between experiences (like service), academic materials, culture, and social issues through critical reflection.  As the RL, you will work closely with the course faculty/staff leaders and the Program Leader (when assigned).  Reflections Leaders plan the team retreat with the Student Leadership Coordinator in the fall.  They are also responsible for creating the team journal. 

Student Leadership Coordinator

As the Student Leadership Coordinator (SLC), you will work closely with the Winter Term staff, acting as the liaison between the staff and student leadership. The SLC will assist the WT staff by setting student leader meeting agendas, emailing notices to team members, planning events with Reflections Leaders (Retreats, Commissioning Ceremony, Re-Entry, New Student Leader Orientation), collecting paperwork (forms, passports, etc.), and recruitment of the following academic year’s leadership.