Every year, the University of Central Oklahoma provides an incredible opportunity for a select group of students to attend LeaderShape Institute – an intensive, 4-day leadership camp hosted this year at the Oakridge Camp in Anadarko. LeaderShape is a national organization committed to helping students in higher education discover their ability to lead with integrity and create positive, lasting change.
Around 40-60 UCO students are chosen to participate in this transformative program designed to help them explore not only what they want to do, but who they want to become. Along with the student attendees, there are two student on-site coordinators and five faculty/staff cluster facilitators helping to guide the students throughout their journey. Two professionals from the LeaderShape organization facilitate the community activities throughout the camp.
The 4-day LeaderShape Institute includes many activities and games that help to build trust and teamwork among the group. Students form small family clusters where they are encouraged to be reflective, open, and vulnerable about their thoughts.
“I learned more about myself in 4 days of leadershape than my entire freshman year of college – what my beliefs and values are, how to look inwards and understand my actions, and how to better navigate a world that isn’t always suited to my particular needs….” said Lliam, a UCO student who attended LeaderShape 2024.
Students are asked to start envisioning their ideal future and mapping out goals to help get them there. They learn about servant leadership, aligning values, and embracing an attitude of the common good.
Throughout the camp, LeaderShape facilitators incorporate emotional leadership concepts and push students to have difficult conversations. There are moments of laughter, tears, hugs and everything in between as students undergo powerful personal growth. By partnering with LeaderShape, UCO is ensuring that current/future Broncho leaders have the skills for true ethical leadership.
Phoebe, another UCO student who went to LeaderShape 2024, said, “It doesn’t matter if you’re a student leader or just a person that goes to class when back to your house or dorm, this is a chance to do some serious self-reflection on yourself and unlock your potential to take up space in a room and know how to do it better if you already do.” On their return, students can submit reflections about their growth for STLR credit in the Leadership tenet.
If any students or faculty/staff are interested in participating in LeaderShape 2025, visit https://ucore.uco.edu/ls/home or contact UCO Leadership Central at leadershipcentral@uco.edu.