Leadership
What Does It Mean to be a Student Leader at Mercer?
Macon Student Leadership Mission Statement
To enhance the overall educational experience of all students through involvement within the Mercer and Macon communities including campus wide cultural, educational and social programming, leadership development and volunteerism, and Greek life/student organization participation.
Mercer Student Leadership Model
The model above depicts the components that comprise student leadership on the campus of Mercer University. The model shows the three levels of student leadership involvement (Emerging, Experiential and Advanced), guided by the three core values (Service, Integrity and Advocacy). That entity is encompassed by the Social Change Model of Leadership Development (Astin & Astin 1996). All components of the model are described below.
Student Leadership Involvement
These three tiers of involvement encompass many, if not most, Mercer students. These categories specify areas in which Mercer students participate, organize, develop and/or engage their fellow students on campus.
- Emerging: This is the most fundamental level of student leadership involvement.
- Experiential: This level of student leadership involvement includes a variety of experiences that allow Mercer students to have hands on experience with leadership activities and responsibilities.
- Advanced: This highest level of student leadership involvement is achieved by students who have a desire to learn, lead and achieve. This group of students hold the highest leadership positions, influence the development of various leadership opportunities for other students and look to expand their leadership abilities well past the Mercer community.
Core Values
The following values have been identified as cornerstones for the development of our student leaders:
- Service: To elevate service to others above one's own self interest.
- Integrity: To act honestly and responsibly while promoting ethical principles on the part of one's own organization.
- Advocacy: To empower students to act as social change agents for the campus and community at large.
Social Change Model of Leadership Development
This framework, originally developed by Astin & Astin (1996)*, helps guide the formation of student leaders on campus. As depicted in the model above, there are three areas that coincide with our concept of student leadership. These areas utilize the "seven C's," which include:
- Group Values: Collaboration, Common Purpose, Civility
- Societal & Community Values: Citizenship
- Individual Values: Consciousness of Self, Congruence, Commitment
Goals for Student Leadership
The following goals have been identified to promote the mission and core values for student leadership at Mercer.
- To help all students develop the skills, values and knowledge necessary for effective servant leadership roles.
- To provide co-curricular opportunities that allow for civic engagement, leadership development and community service.
- To support high achieving students within their leadership roles and responsibilities.
- To enable students to utilize experiences acquired through Mercer programs for post-graduate service opportunities.
- To assist students in developing their own philosophy of leadership.
Current Student Leadership Opportunities
- Center for Community Engagement
- Leadership Mercer
- Leadership Certificate Program (currently in planning phase)
- National Society of Leadership and Success
- Mercer Service Scholars
- Social Entrepreneurship Program
*Astin, Helen S. and Alexander W. Astin. A Social Change Model of Leadership Development Guidebook Version III. The National Clearinghouse of Leadership Programs, 1996.
The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) at Mercer University-- Macon
2021 NSLS Inducted Cohort
The NSLS is the largest leadership honor society in the United States. Our NSLS chapter at Mercer University - Macon was started in 2013. Our local chapter is part of the national organization with 700+ chapters and over 1.4 million members.
Students are selected based on exemplary academic achievement. As of May, 2022 we have 1,811 members who have access to:
- More than $400,000 in scholarships.
- An exclusive NSLS job board.
- A personalized letter of recommendation.
The NSLS leadership program teaches the interpersonal skills that employers seek to give you an edge in the job market. Hear directly from current members as they share how their experience has changed their life.
If you become a member, some of the other benefits are:
- Learn from exceptional leaders like former President Barack Obama during exclusive Speaker Broadcasts.
- Meet new friends and make lifelong connections (on-campus and virtually).
- Overcome challenges with success coaches shortcutting your way to success.
- Access to private networking events.
Visit the NSLS website to learn more about and accept your nomination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I have to do to become inducted?
- Our five-step program takes approximately 12 hours over the course of the semester at your pace.
Is this recognized on campus?
- We are a student organization that is regongized through the Office of Campus Life. As of 2021, we had 1,762 in our chapter and there are more than 1.4 million members nationwide.
Contact Omar Romero-Cruz, Graduate Assistant for Leadership Development, at campuslife@mercer.edu or at 478-301-2987 with questions.
Leadership Mercer Program
Leadership Mercer 18-19 Cohort at the Kings Park Community Center
Mercer University’s co-curricular model for leadership is based on the Social Change Model for Leadership Development, which allows students to engage in leadership at multiple entry points (i.e. Emerging, Experiential, and Advanced). Currently, a program is in place to support students at the emerging leader’s level. Leadership Mercer is being implemented to support students at the experiential level. The program’s structure is designed to prepare and equip students to be leaders in the 21st Century.
Program Goals
Core Values of Leadership
Understanding yourself- A successful leader knows the leader they want to become; this session allows the cohort to begin discovering more about themselves, each other, and their leadership
Integrity- A successful leader acts honestly and responsibly while promoting ethical principles on the part of one's own organization.
Service- A successful leader serves others first. Possibly partner with the Center for Community Engagement for the cohort to participate in a service project for this event.
Advocacy- A successful leader empowers others to succeed, grow, and create change.
Program Components
Monthly Seminars: A large group discussion with speakers, activities, and practice examples of important aspects of leadership (see Core Values of leadership).
Small groups: Monthly small group discussions of a Ted Talk, small passage, or other additional material as a chance to debrief the monthly experience.
Final Project: A culminating project to work with the entire cohort on a service project to put the leadership skills discussed throughout the year into practice.
Mercer University Student Leadership Awards
2022 Bear Award Recipients
Each April the Macon Office of Campus Life recognizes students and student organizations from across campus that have outstanding co-curricular involvement during their time at Mercer. Below are the awards given each year. We applaud all Mercer students that get involved and make a difference in their time at Mercer.
Nominations are all online for individual and organization awards. For all student organzation awards, you must submit Bears at Their Best throughout the year! fraternity and sorority chapter should not apply for student org. awards. Please see FSP website for award nomination process.
Student Organization Awards (Submitted through Bear's at Their Best throughout the year to recieve these awards)
- Most Improved Student Organization
- Student Organization Campus Contributions
- Student Organization Educational Efforts
- Student Organization of the Year
- Community Service Award
- Annual Diversity and Inclusion Award (Student Organization)
Individual Leadership Awards (online submission only)
- Spright Dowell Award (ODK selects this awards recipient)
- SGA Student of the Year (SGA selects this award recipient)
- The Barry Jenkins Award (SGA selects this award recipient)
- The BEAR Awards for Campus Involvement
- Thelma "T Lady" Ross Spirit of Mercer Award
- "Papa Joe" Hendricks Award
- The Mercerian Award
- Annual Diversity and Inclusion Award (staff/student)
- Organization Advisor of the Year
Student Leadership Positions
Student Life Leadership Opportunities
- Minority Mentors
- Residence Life
- Senior Resident Assistants
- Resident Assistants
- Quadworks (Student Programming Board)
- Student Government Association (SGA)
- AWARE Student Wellness Group (Mercer Peer Educators)
- Fraternity and Sorority Programs
- NPHC Council
- Panhellenic Council
- IFC Council
- Multicultural Greek Council
- Individual Chapter Officers
- Student Judicial Education
- Chief Student Justice
- Associate Chief Student Justice
- Student Justices
- SHAPE Student Board Members
If you are interested in any of these positions and would like to be directed to the office that oversees them, please email at Campuslife@mercer.edu.
Academic Leadership Opportunities
- Honor Council
- Mercer Service Scholars
- Supplemental Instruction
- Orientation Leadership Team
- Peer Advisors
- Mercer Ambassadors
- Admission Leadership Staff
Athletic Leadership Opportunities
- Athletic Advisory Board
- Intramural Sports Leadership (Referees, Managers, etc.)
- Club Sport Officers
- University Center Bear Force Student Leadership