PANTHER LEAP
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Mission
Panther LEAP endeavors to create a learning community that fosters self-discovery, authenticity, and growth for all participants through a critical examination and expansion of their philosophy of leadership. Participants are engaged in a personal, purposeful, and collaborative learning process so that each LEAPer is able to impact positive social change for the creation of a more socially just world.
About Panther LEAP
Panther LEAP is the foundational leadership program required to participate in a host of opportunities within University Housing. Additionally, Panther LEAP is the pre-requisite to apply for any University Housing student leader position.
Panther LEAP is intended as a space for self-discovery, reflection and learning for all participants where they will be able to critically examine their understanding of leadership. The program is structured to help participants recognize their personal beliefs, values and attitudes around leadership while also simultaneously helping them develop and articulate their philosophy of leadership. At the end of the program, participants will be able to successfully develop a personal definition of leadership and demonstrate how that definition is applied in their everyday lives as engaged citizens of the Georgia State community.
Learning Goals & Outcomes
To achieve its mission, Panther LEAP has identified four core learning goals based on the residential curriculum of University Housing. Panther LEAP strives to link its participant experiences through:
Self-Awareness
- To be self-aware, students must recognize behaviors, beliefs, values and ethics within an individual’s own reality.
- Students will be able to articulate their personal values and beliefs to others.
- Students will be able to recognize and distinguish between their emotions to guide thinking and behavior.
- Students will be able to express the different dimensions of their social identities.
Social Justice & Inclusion
- Students will have a sense of their own agency & social responsibility that includes others, their community, and the large global context.
- Students will be able to understand how their social identities impact themselves, others and society.
- Students will be able to recognize and articulate multiple perspectives.
- Students will engage in critical reflection and participate in activities to identify their own prejudices and biases.
Practical Competence
- Students will be able to demonstrate interdependence and critical thinking through knowledge of applied skills.
- Students will be able to think critically in order to address and resolve problems.
- Students will be able to identify strategies and resources to enhance their involvement in University Housing.
Community Engagement
- To be engaged citizens, students must be conscious of the needs and nuances in their campus and local communities.
- Students will recognize the positive impacts and importance of serving in their campus and local communities.
- Students will be able to develop a leadership identity and strategies of social change.
Program Format
Panther LEAP uses the Social Change Model of Leadership to provide an intensive experience with a focus on personal development and self-authorship. To ensure this, the program progresses through three different parts, each of which builds on the last:
- Individual Perspective
- Group Perspective
- Society Perspective
Each of the perspectives are further divided into two different parts: A Seminar and an Application.
Part I or the Seminar of each perspective is designed to be content focused and provides students opportunities to delve deeper into their understanding of the topics covered.
Part II or the Application of each perspective is designed as simulations which provide a space for students to “test” their knowledge and apply it to different scenarios.
Program Requirements
All Panther LEAP participants must complete the following requirements:
- Attend kick-off.
- Attend all 6 sessions.
- Participate in a community engagement opportunity.
- Participate in a practical competence workshop.
- Participate in at least 3 cohort meetings with their Panther LEAP Mentors.
- Complete at least 2 1:1s with their LEAP Mentors.
- Complete and present a capstone project to demonstrate how you apply your personal understanding of leadership in your daily lives.
- Complete all surveys and assessment.
Please note that all Panther LEAP sessions, kick-off, capstone and graduation occur on Fridays. We do not provide alternate or make-up days. If applying for Panther LEAP, please keep your Fridays available from 12:30 to 5 p.m.
If you are not available on Fridays, you will not be able to participate in Panther LEAP.
Community Engagement, Cohort Meetings, Practical Competence and Mentor 1:1s will occur on variety of days. All days and times will be communicated to participants in advance.
Community Engagement
The community engagement opportunity is designed to help expose participants to various issues and needs of the greater Atlanta community. The community engagement is intended to be a practical experience where participants can learn what social change can look like.
All community engagement opportunities will occur on Saturdays. Participants must complete a community engagement opportunity through Panther LEAP. Exceptions need to be approved by the Coordinator for Residential Leadership and Civic Engagement
Practical Competence
Panther LEAP strives to help participants develop practical skills that will enhance their personal and professional experience and abilities. Each LEAPer is required to attend at least one practical competence workshop. Practical Competence workshops will be led by Panther LEAP Mentors and will be offered throughout the semester at various times. Information pertaining to dates, times, locations, and topics of the workshops will be provided to participants in advance.
Panther LEAP Cohorts
To achieve a cohesive learning experience, Panther LEAP utilizes a cohort model. Each LEAPer will be assigned to a cohort, and they will be part of this cohort throughout their time at Panther LEAP. Cohorts will be led by Panther LEAP mentors who will serve as primary resources for the LEAPers in that cohort.
All LEAPers are required to attend at least 3 formal cohort meetings led by their LEAP Mentors.
Mentor 1:1s
All LEAPers are required to participate in at least two 1:1s with their LEAP Mentors. In these sessions, LEAPers will get an opportunity to discuss their goals and progress within Panther LEAP.
All LEAPers are required to complete a capstone project to demonstrate their learning and growth as a leader. The prompt for the capstone project is:
Steps to Apply
You will need to create an account (use green Create Account button) if it is your first time completing an application or form. If you already have a username and password for erezlife, use your log in credentials to complete the application. Do not attempt to create a duplicate account. Fill out the required personal information fields and select register account.
An email with the subject eRezLife Account Confirmation will be sent to the Georgia State University student email. Open the email and select the highlighted link. The account has been registered.
An email with the subject eRezLife System Access will be sent to the Georgia State University student email. Open the email, write down the username and select the highlighted link. Create a password on the new page.
Go to Jobs, and then Job Postings - find the Panther LEAP Application posting. Click on the heading and the green Apply Now button in the top left to apply.
Contact Us
Taylor White
Coordinator for Residential Leadership & Civic Engagement
Currently Vacant
Graduate Assistant for Leadership & Civic Engagement
Fatou Thiam
Panther LEAP Student Coordinator 2019-20
University Housing Central Office
75 Piedmont Ave. NE, Suite 110
Atlanta, GA 30303
Office Hours
Monday-Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Tel: 404-413-1800
Fax: 404-413-1803
Email: [email protected]