Become More Guide

Leadership
Student
The Official Student Government
Be a Part of What Makes Grand Valley Grand
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Grand Valley believes that every student has their own
unique potential and skill set that can be honed and
used in amazing ways for the campus community and
any future localities after graduation! Many opportunities
are available for you to learn more about your
talents and how to best use them to help others. Below
is a list of the beginning leadership courses available to
take as soon as the beginning of your first semester.
First Year Leadership Experience
FYLE is a 6-week program for incoming students to help
newer leaders start gaining leadership skills, experiences,
and to develop your own personal leadership philosophy.
It also explains the stages of leadership training
available at GVSU and focuses more on personal values.
It’s offered every fall and winter semester.
Intermediate Leaders Institue (ILI)
ILI is a short, one day program that builds leadership
skills for group collaboration by helping leaders develop
communication skills, team dynamics, networking skills
and inclusivity. It can also be a great place to start
creating your own network! It’s offered every fall semester.
Community Leader Seminar (CLS)
CLS is a two week program focused on building social
and community values. Leaders who take this course
will learn how to become more civically engaged at
Grand Valley and in the community they will enter after
graduation. This program is offered every winter semester.
“Our student leaders stand out
from the rest and are what makes
our campus life so dynamic and
their contributions are important
to making campus what it is!”
—Valerie Guzman, Associate
Director of Student Life
Students should look for ways to take on leadership
roles to help build a strong resume when they graduate,
some positions include: student organization executive
board positions, Greek Life, Transitions Leader, Laker
Traditions Team, Student Senate, and internships.
StrengthsQuest® Series
StrengthsQuest® (Gallup Organization), is a personal
development tool that aims to help student leaders find
and understand how to use their natural talents. You
will learn specifics about your own gifts and how to put
them into practice in your current life and future
careers. This comprehensive, three-part series is
offered twice a semester.
For more opportunities, or to learn about all the ways
student leaders are recognized and rewarded, visit
gvsu.edu/leadership.
Student Senate is a governing body of fifty students,
with ten seats reserved specifically for first year
students. Senate meets every Thursday for General
Assembly meetings, which are open to all students.
There are a variety of committees that students can
serve on ranging from Educational Affairs to Public
Relations to Campus Activities, trying hard to cater to
each and every interest of the student senators! In
addition to serving on a committee and collaborating
internally, a lot of programming on campus is provided
with a variety of other student organizations, such
as the Laker Traditions Team. This unified body really
exemplifies the meaning of a Laker family, each
member is supported and encouraged to be the best
versions of themselves and to help create a strong
Laker community.
“Joining Student Senate was one of
the most amazing decisions I could
have made because I get to dedicate
my time, energy, and efforts towards
giving a voice to over 25,000
students in the hopes of making
GVSU the best Laker community it
can possibly be.”
—Malayna Hasmanis, special
education major, senior
Senate
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BECOME MORE RESPECTED