Leadership, Service and Civic Engagement

Leadership and Service: Concordia encourages all students to develop the skills to be effective leaders and a commitment to service. The mission of the college, “to influence the affairs of the world…” requires that we exercise leadership. At Concordia, leadership and service complement each other; leadership is not power-oriented or positional; rather, it reflects a commitment to service and values such as justice, compassion, vision and diversity. We believe that every person has the potential to lead, and opportunities exist on campus to help build each person’s capacity to be a leader through service.

The Office of Student Leadership and Service assists individuals and organizations in understanding the nature and responsibilities of leadership by challenging students to be involved as leaders and providing leadership development opportunities. The mission of the Office of Student Leadership and Service is to
facilitate and support leadership and service opportunities for all students, leading to academic and personal growth and a further commitment to influencing global and local communities.

LeadNow™ is a comprehensive leadership development program for every student. The mission of LeadNow™ is to provide opportunities for students to discover their potential as leaders and influence the affairs of the world. Students can attend sessions on various leadership topics and earn three certifications — LeadNow™: Personal Perspectives, Group Perspectives and Global Perspectives. The entire program is intended to help students integrate their academic, leadership and service experiences so they are equipped to influence the affairs of the world as Servant-Leaders.

Campus Service Commission (CSC) is a student-run service-learning organization that works with many agencies and organizations to engage students in meaningful service experiences. Training and reflection sessions help to link the service experience to important social, political, economic and ethical issues and to students’ personal and career goals. CSC also works with a variety of community agencies to organize one-time and short-term service projects for groups of students, such as blood drives, food drives and special events at long-term care facilities or food pantries. Students can be involved in service because they choose to, or a service experience may be integrated into a course as an important way to engage students in learning through real world experience.

Employment
Although a part-time job is a financial necessity for many students attending college, a work experience offers many other benefits as well. Along with the paycheck, you may “earn” organizational skills by having to budget your time and resources and to develop a sense of responsibility and independence. A work experience may also teach and develop technical skills that may be applied to a career after graduation. A high percentage of Concordia students hold part-time jobs, and many opportunities for employment exist at Concordia and in the surrounding community (see “Work” in the Financial Aid pages of the catalog). Other special programs such as internships, practicums and Cooperative Education allow students to obtain academic credit for their work experience, although not all of these positions are paid.

Student Organizations
Concordia has more than 100 student organizations in which students may become involved. Concordia’s goal is to provide students many opportunities for learning and personal growth not only within academic programs, but also in experiences outside the classroom. Involvement in student organizations is encouraged and seen as a very effective way to contribute to the educational experience. Other goals of student involvement are to enhance the personal development of students, to develop an understanding of and the capacity for leadership, and to provide experience working in groups.

Organizations reflect interests in many different areas including academics, athletics, programming, special interest, service and media/literature. With a variety of different opportunities for involvement, students are able to participate in an organization that will enhance their college experience.

For more information on recognized student organizations, stop by the Parke Student Leadership Center on the second floor of the Knutson Campus Center or call (218) 299-4518. A current list of active student organizations is available at www.cord.edu/Studentlife/Involved/organizations1.php

Residential Living and Learning
Living in the residence halls and becoming involved with other students, staff, and the programs and activities provided there are considered a vital part of the total learning experience Concordia has to offer. This experience will not only support and enhance your classroom learning, but facilitate your personal growth as well.

As part of your floor and hall community, you’ll learn about balancing freedom and responsibility, developing flexibility and tolerance, and establishing relationships and friendships. You will experience living in a community with students from a variety of cultures and backgrounds that will enhance your learning experience.

You’ll make lifelong friends during your years of residence hall living and will take with you memories of pizza parties, late-night talks, floor and hall programs, and experiences that will support your personal development.

World-Language Residences: The college maintains an International Center made up of three language-centered residence halls, the Maison Française, the Deutsches Haus, and the Casa Hispana. These language residences allow students to spend the entire school year living in an environment focused on the language and culture of France, Germany or the Spanish-speaking world.

This experience is enhanced by native assistants who live with students as mentors and also have offices in academic buildings where other students may consult them. The native assistants may also teach language courses and help organize house events, which include meals, films, slide shows and traditional festivals from that particular culture. Daily television broadcasts from Europe are also received in the language residences through the college’s communication services.

Service on College Committees
Unique to Concordia is the extent to which students are involved in college governance, serving in advisory roles and as full-voting members of numerous boards and committees. These official bodies are responsible for many facets of campus life, including the curriculum, academic responsibility, the Cultural Events Series, the Library and Dining Services.

In addition to serving on standing committees, students are asked to participate in many ad hoc committees, subcommittees, task forces, search committees and faculty evaluation teams. In so doing, students make significant contributions to the work of Concordia College. Any questions regarding college committees should be directed to either the Student Government Association or the Office of Student Affairs.

Student Government
As the official student governing body, the Student Government Association represents the Concordia student body to the faculty, the administration and the board of regents. The president, vice president, commissioners and class representatives address student concerns and work closely with the administration in finding solutions to campus issues.

The appointed commissioners head such student government commissions as academic affairs, public relations, programs and events, facilities and services, campus entertainment, campus service and campus ministry. Class representatives are elected to serve as liaisons to Student Government Association on behalf of their class and serve in various roles within Student Government Association and on college committees. The Student Involvement Council is responsible for supporting student organizations and identifying strategies to encourage student involvement. The council also allocates the Student Government Association portion of the student activity fee. The Elections and Credentials Council is primarily responsible for selecting key student leaders for campus programs, facilitating student government elections and for the Student Government Constitution.

Information For:

current students
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alumni		 high school students
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