Frequently Asked Questions

Can I attend the sessions if I am not intending to earn a certification? Yes! Although you will get more out of the program by working towards a certification, LeadNow® is open to all students. 

Why should I participate in LeadNow®? LeadNow® is an opportunity for all students to develop and improve their leadership skills. These are skills that will help you in your college career, as well as your career after college. Employers are looking for skills such as: the ability to work with others, to proactively resolve conflicts, and to mentor other leaders, to name a few. Every person has a unique capacity for leadership. To quote one of our student participants: “Everyone gets coached in their academic pursuits at college. Not everyone gets coaching in leadership, but LeadNowopens up that possibility.” –Rick Ferrera ’08

I’m already a leader on campus, do I really need to participate in LeadNow®? The best leaders realize that there is always something new to learn and apply to their leadership responsibilities and skills. LeadNow offers many sessions especially geared towards those already in leadership roles. The Group Perspectives sessions offer insight into leading, motivating, and organizing groups of people. Perfect for those in leadership roles who want to hone their current skills.

What can I expect when participating in a LeadNow® session? Expect 90-minutes of relevant and information presented in an interactive and engaging format. A combination of methods will be used (activities with others, personal reflection and writing, with a small amount of lecture). We purposefully design our sessions to include activities accommodating several different learning styles. 

How long will it take me to earn a certification? The amount of time it takes to earn a certification will vary depending on how frequently you are able to participate in sessions, service experiences, etc. In general, it will take approximately one academic year to earn each certification. You may be able to complete one certification and begin working on the second certification within one year. Each session will be offered at least two times in the academic year to give you a few opportunities to attend.

Are LeadNow® Certifications recognized outside of Concordia? LeadNow® certifications are designed to help you develop and, just as importantly, to articulate your leadership skills. Some of the most powerful words a potential employer or grad school can hear are “I did this and this is what I learned from that experience.” The skills you learn in LeadNow are applicable in everyday life. Although the certification is currently specific to Concordia, it will give you some language to use in resumes, cover letters, applications and interviews that is sure to raise a few eyebrows with potential employers.

Do I have to attend the sessions in any type of order? It is recommended that you attend Ignite: An Introduction to LeadNow® before attending any of the other sessions as this gives you an overview and basis for the program including how it is structured. All students do participate in Ignite during Orientation. However, if you are unable to attend this session first, it is still possible to attend other LeadNow® sessions. We do recommend that you complete (or be close to completing) your Personal Perspectives certification before attending Group Perspectives sessions because many of the sessions build on one another. Global Perspectives should be the third and final certification you pursue. Again, these sessions build on the learning from the previous two certifications.

Is it really necessary to register for the sessions in advance?  Registering for the sessions in advance allows us to plan accordingly for the space and materials needed for each session. It also allows us to send reminders out for those planning on attending and for a faster check-in process at the beginning of each session. Registering in advance is quick and easy with our online form. You can register for one or more sessions at once.

I heard my student organization can get money if I go to LeadNow sessions, is that true? Yes! Your student organization can receive up to $150/semester just for participating in LeadNow. In order to receive LeadNow® funding, you will need to follow a few guidelines found on our student organization grant opportunities page.

Please contact LeadNow staff with any additional questions.

Information For:

current students
faculty and staff		 parents
alumni		 high school students
admitted students