Leadership in the Jesuit Tradition may be defined as the following: Leadership is an overflow of spirit that inspires and influences others to join together to achieve worthy purposes.

We aspire that all members of our Rockhurst community be encouraged and supported to fully grow and mature as individuals and leaders. Our desire is to call each of our students to achieve the following objectives:

• Understand your uniqueness. Develop your capabilities, your values, and your worldview.
• Develop lifelong skills in self-examination focused on aligning actions with core values and personal goals.
• Motivate yourself and others to recognize and pursue worthy aims.
• Confidently innovate and adapt to lead with integrity in a changing world.
• Through service to others, learn to engage others with a positive, loving attitude.

At Rockhurst University, leader development is the unifying force of Rockhurst's educational mission. Our mandate is to “achieve national recognition for leader formation through integrative learning experiences that prepare the student for lifelong transformational service."

Leadership Positions

Many opportunities are available to students who have the desire to enhance their leadership skills and experiences. One of those ways is to apply to be an orientation leader, peer coach, and/or resident assistant. This process will begin late in the fall semester with applications due early in the spring semester. Interviews will be held in the weeks following and students will be notified shortly thereafter regarding the selection process. Continue to check RockSpace for the most updated information.

Questions? 

Regarding:

Orientation leader – contact Emma Garrett, Director of Student Life

Peer coach – contact Sara Keenan, Interim Director & SI Coordinator, Aylward-Dunn Learning Center

Resident assistants – contact Emily Kempf, Associate Director, Residence Life

A description of each position is below.

Orientation Leader

Orientation Leaders help implement the orientation program by leading a group of new students through the new student orientation process and new students' first few days on campus. All current RU students are eligible to apply. Leaders participate in training programs to prepare them for small group leadership, educate them on RU facts and incoming student questions, as well as provide them with an understanding of effective group facilitation. Orientation is a four-day, three-night on-campus program that introduces the new students to academic life, spirit and traditions and allows the opportunity to meet other incoming students, faculty, staff, and student leaders. Students who have a passion and love for RU, want to make a difference to incoming students, are energetic, positive and willing to learn would be great candidates for orientation leader positions. 

Peer Coach 

Peer coaches work to provide a welcoming and encouraging environment conducive to student success. A peer coach serves as an academic mentor, an advocate, and as a resource for up to ten individual students for a year (August to April). The coach should be prepared to develop their leadership skills, inclusivity, and advocacy skills. They will be expected to be reliant, maintain high levels of confidentiality, and should be a self-starter.  The Peer Coaches will earn the Certified Peer Educator recognition, joining a national network of students.

Resident Assistant

Resident Assistants (RAs) live on each Residence hall floor and work with other Residence halls and University staff to foster a community environment within the Residence halls that promotes the educational experience of residential living. The RA articulates the philosophy and policies of the Office of Residence Life and the University to his/her residents, and in turn, represents the needs of the students to the administration. The Resident Assistant position combines many roles: information resource, activities organizer, liaison to the Office of Residence Life, counselor, adviser, and friend. 

Leadership Articles & Resources

• StrengthsQuest