Student Leadership Development
University of Bridgeport believes that anyone can be a leader, regardless of position. Leadership is a process by which individuals and groups work toward positive change and can be demonstrated in many different ways. To be an effective leader, individuals must know themselves and act in a manner consistent with their values.
UB offers several opportunities for students to explore and develop their leadership potential. We believe that:
- Leadership is a process by which individuals and groups work toward positive change.
- Individuals must know themselves and act in a way that is consistent with their values in order to be an effective leader.
- Anyone can be a leader, regardless of position or role.
- Leadership is demonstrated in different ways, depending on the individual and situation.
All leadership opportunities on campus are rooted in our core leadership competencies in order to allow students to build necessary skills to be a successful student-leader, as well as a successful professional upon graduation!
Student Leadership Institute
Become a better leader through our certificate programs: The Student Leadership Institute (SLI) was created in Spring 2016 as a two-tiered leadership development certificate program aimed to assist students in increasing both personal and organizational success. SLI allows University of Bridgeport students of all levels to develop self-awareness, learn strategies to improve leadership skills, and directly apply competencies to their leadership work. Through retreats, interactive workshops, and activities, students will build on six competency areas including community engagement, reasoning and thought, communication, group dynamics, personal behavior, and self-awareness and development.
Student testimonials
“I have enjoyed every aspect of the Student Leadership Institute from start to finish. I was able to hone into my strengths as a leader and understand how to properly utilize my leadership traits” - Spring 2016 participant
“The Student Leadership Institute was extremely helpful. I have been able to implement a lot of what I have learned into the different organizations I am apart of on campus, and have seen positive changes in the way that my organizations have resolved conflict and grew in campus engagement. I learned a lot from the other students in the program through our activities and discussions. Their answers and comments throughout the workshops helped me to see other things I can do to be a better leader.” - Spring 2019 participant
Application information
Emerging Leaders
Emerging Leaders is the first tier of the Student Leadership Institute and is open to all students looking to learn more about their personal strengths and leadership styles in order to build a foundation of strong leadership. Emerging Leaders is offered every Spring semester and is by application only. Preference is given to Freshmen and Sophomores.
Leadership opportunities
The Office of Residential life and Student Conduct provides more than 125 positions to students in a variety of roles – including Resident Assistant, Community Relations Associate, Hall Council and more. Through these leadership positions within the department, students gain valuable professional experience, grow as individuals as part of a diverse community and make personal/professional connections that will last a lifetime.
To learn more about the different opportunities offered, contact the Office of Residential Life, Housing, and Community Standards at reslife@bridgeport.edu.
University of Bridgeport Commuter Assistants (CAs) will serve as mentors to incoming first year and transfer commuter students. CAs shall make themselves available to their cohort via office hours, programming, and social events. Goals of the Commuter Assistant program include: Enhancing the connection new commuter students have to the campus community, increase knowledge and usage of campus resources for commuter students, and create community among commuter students on campus.
To learn more about the different opportunities offered, contact Student Involvement at involvement@bridgeport.edu.
For those students interested in sharing their knowledge with incoming students as they assist them in the transition to campus, the Orientation Leader may be a great fit! Orientation Leaders interact with and serve as a resource for new students and their families, assist in providing a welcoming campus experience for students and their families, facilitate student group discussions, assist with student and parent programs and initiate and maintain contact with students via email throughout the summer and fall semester.
To learn more about the Orientation Leader position, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at deandofstudents@bridgeport.edu.
Each semester, The Office of Undergraduate Admissions hires Student Ambassadors to become the public faces of UB, and showcase the university to potential students and their families. Student Ambassadors build school pride, practice outstanding communication, and help to grow UB’s bright future.
For more information on how to become a Student Ambassador, please contact Admissions at admissions@bridgeport.edu.
Part of leadership is to serve! This group of students have travelled both domestically and abroad to lend a hand to communities in need.
For application information, please contact Civic Engagement at civicengagement@bridgeport.edu.
The Student Success Mentors are an important member of the Academic Advising Center team, serving as an academic resource, liaison, and role model for first year students within the residence halls.
For application information, please contact Academic Advising at advising@bridgeport.edu.
Being an FYS Peer Mentor gives sophomores, juniors, and seniors the opportunity to work alongside a First Year Seminar faculty member to assist with their course and serve as a mentor and role model for first year students.
For application information, please contact Student Involvement at involvement@bridgeport.edu.
The Student Support Services Peer Coaching Program is a great opportunity for SSS upperclassmen to offer support and encouragement to SSS first year students through informal social and academically-oriented meetings and activities.
For more information and application, please email Chrystie Cruz at chcruz@bridgeport.edu.
The Student Government Association (SGA) is the official representative body of the student population at University of Bridgeport. The Student Government Association seeks to promote good citizenship and democratic fellowship. By giving individual students the experience of active participation in governmental procedures, Student Government Association strives to develop in students a sense of personal responsibility for the welfare of the entire University community.
University of Bridgeport is proud to offer Greek Letter Organizations as part of student life on campus. Choosing membership in a fraternity or sorority not only enriches your collegiate experience and helps you connect to campus, but it is also a bond which lasts a lifetime. Greek organizations, while each unique, all have similar core values including academic excellence, leadership, personal growth, service to others, as well as brotherhood and sisterhood.
Students actively create a vibrant student life outside the classroom and provide educational, social, cultural, spiritual and recreational opportunities for the entire UB community. We encourage you to get involved to get active, get social, get in shape or simply have fun!
Visit KnightLife for a listing of registered clubs. If you do not see a club or organization that appeals to you, or you have an idea for starting a new club not currently offered, please download the club registration packet and contact the Center for Student Involvement at involvement@bridgeport.edu.
Strengthen your team with a Leadership Workshop
Need helping working together? Want to keep striving to your goals in effective way? Interested in better training your members and executive board? We can help!
Workshops can be designed for individual clubs, organizations, athletic teams, and academic courses to enhance performance and grow the potential of all individuals. Each requested workshop is personalized based on your needs and requests. Please request your workshop at least two weeks in advance. A few topics we cover are below.
Workshops can be designed for individual clubs, organizations, athletic teams, and academic courses. Sample topics include:
- Team Building
- GRIT/Motivation
- Effective Communication
- Professional Etiquette
- Goal Setting
- Conflict Management
- Event Planning
- Self-awareness and values
- Organizational Management
- Membership Recruitment and Retention
- And much more!
Contact Career Development
The Heckman Center
Wahlstrom Library, 2nd floor
126 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Request More Information