Learn – Engage – Advocate – Develop – Serve WP LEADS is a set of digital badges that students can earn through their participation in extra-curricular experiences such as attending workshops and speakers, participating in community service and civic engagement activities, being involved in student organizations and campus leadership positions, attending events, etc. Each digital badge has a specific set of requirements that can be tracked on a student’s Engagement Portfolio in Pioneer Life. To date, there are five digital badges in which students can participate. You can print the digital badge brochure by clicking here. Click on each badge to see the requirements: How do the WP LEADS badges work? Pioneer Orientation The Pioneer Orientation Badge is comprised of a variety of educational and social orientation virtual experiences. These live and pre-recorded presentations are developed to assist you in your academic transition to William Paterson University, serve as a resource and present ways to become part of the campus community. In addition to completing the required orientation modules in Blackboard, students can earn the Pioneer Orientation Badge when they complete these additional requirements: attendance at one live Zoom Session and viewing of two additional pre-recorded presentations with completion of online survey for each. The Pioneer Orientation Badge is only available to new students during their first year enrolled at William Paterson. For more information on learning outcomes and requirements, please click on the badge title. Administered by Campus Activities, Service and Leadership. NJ Scholar Corps WP The NJ Scholar Corps WP digital badge is part of the new statewide initiative, the NJ Scholar Corps Program, for students who were studying out of state and have enrolled at William Paterson University to complete their degree and and help revitalize our state with your talent and service. This badge presents an opportunity to serve our local communities and help rebuild New Jersey as part of William Paterson’s overall commitment to civic engagement as a core value. Students will participate in eight (8) community service/civic engagement activities to complete the badge, which may be used as a requirement for induction into the WP LEADS Honor Society. Specific details and activities will depend on the guidelines and timeline for re-opening our state. Pioneer Leadership Institute Pioneer Leadership Institute (PLI) is an emerging leadership development program for all First Year Students. Founded on the social change model, first year students can complete the PLI badge requirements in the fall and spring semesters by attending the four Will Power 101 modules and participating in a civic engagement activity. Upper class mentors and professional staff are trained to facilitate these interactive and fun sessions. All students who complete the PLI requirements will be invited to a recognition ceremony and receive a certificate. The PLI digital badge can only be earned by First Year students during their first year enrolled at WP. Administered by Campus Activities, Service and Leadership. Civic Engagement The Civic Engagement badge is designed to assist students with meeting and tracking their progress in achieving the university’s civic engagement participation expectations of completing two low and two high level activities before graduation. WP LEADS supports the university’s Civic Engagement initiative to encourage every student to become more civically minded and engaged through participation in their UCC5 course and in several low and high level civic engagement extra-curricular experiences. Additional information and activities can be found at http://wpunj.edu/civic-engagement/index.html. Administered by Campus Activities, Service and Leadership. Leaders in Action The Leaders in Action digital badge is an advanced leadership development badge based on being an active student positional leader at WP. Positional leaders include students who are serving on the executive board of a student organization, serving in a leadership role such as Resident Assistant, Peer Mentor, Orientation Leader, etc. Participation in the Leaders in Action digital badge will assist student leaders with advanced training to better manage their organizations and enhance their work with peers. Leaders in Action has 4 competencies: Management and Foundational, Recruitment and Retention, Communication, and Engagement. Greek S.T.A.R Leaders Program The William Paterson University Greek S.T.A.R. (Striving Towards Amazing Results) Leaders Program is designed to help members of the Greek community who currently hold leadership positions or who aspire to hold a position, gain skills needed to make an impact in their respective organizations. Through their participation in the program, they will be able to network with their peers while participating in a variety of educational sessions. The program meets a specific need within the fraternity and sorority community, and seeks to supplement the holistic growth and development that WP hopes to provide each student. Professional Preparation The Professional Preparation Badge will prepare students to conduct a productive job search. Through participation in workshops and individual experiences, students will learn and hone the skills necessary to successfully navigate the job search process. After completing the program, students will be able to identify employment opportunities, submit effective application materials and present themselves well in an interview process. Administered by Career Development Center. WP LEADS Honor Society Induction into the WP LEADS Honor Society is an exclusive honor that recognizes students who have achieved three WP LEADS Digital Badges during their career at William Paterson University. Eligibility and Induction: Students who complete three WP LEADS digital badges will be eligible for induction into the exclusive WP LEADS Honor Society. Students must be currently enrolled at WP at the time of application, have at least a 2.5 GPA, and in good disciplinary standing at the time of induction. Campus Activities, Service and Leadership will review each badges’ completion data in December and March and will send to qualified students an invitation with a WP LEADS Honor Society Application Benefits: Eligible students will be invited to participate in an induction ceremony in April and will receive a certificate and a special honor cord of distinction to wear at Commencement. Students will also receive a WP LEADS Honor Society certificate. Members of WP LEADS Honor Society will be invited to special events and opportunities, and their membership will be reflected on their Engagement Portfolio in PioneerLife.
