GEM | Outcomes and Commitments
Desired Learning Outcomes
Through participation in GEM, students will:
- Discuss and demonstrate an understanding of a variety of leadership topics, concepts, and skills
- Identify and discuss the characteristics and qualities of exemplary leaders, the habits of highly effective people, the principles and practices of effective leadership, and the fundamental values of professionalism and success
- Develop a greater understanding of professional networking, resume building, successful interviewing, and business etiquette
- Examine personal leadership roles and responsibilities, reflect on leadership experiences, evaluate leadership actions, and discuss leadership lessons learned
- Develop and demonstrate effective leadership skills
GEM Commitments
Students in GEM will participate in the following events and complete the following assignments:
General LEAD 2100 Information | This year we have been given the approval to offer one academic credit hour with the GEM experience. Although GEM is much more than just a class, this approach allows us to reward you for your commitment to this significant learning opportunity and provide greater structure your on-campus leadership development experience. You are registered for LEAD 2100: Georgia Education Mentorship, which is now required for all students participating in GEM, and you will receive an In Progress at the end of fall and a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory at the end of spring. You will be graded on your active involvement in program-related events and the completion of your assignments. Learning will be assessed through the observation of your participation and the evaluation of your work.
Timeline of Opportunities & Commitments | As a GEM participant, you are expected to participate in all scheduled opportunities and complete all assignments.
There is a saying, most often attributed to Woody Allen, that "90% of life is just showing up." So it is with leadership, and so it is in GEM. Just as being there is the foundation of your work as a leader, active participation is the foundation of your learning experience in GEM. We recognize that you may be compelled to miss an event due to illness, family emergencies, college sponsored activities, or other academic responsibilities, and we will work with you to address any calendar conflict you may face. However, in general, we expect to see you at every event – on time, having completed all assignments, prepared to participate, and ready to learn. If you know of any potential conflicts with the dates below, please contact us as soon as you can, and we will start exploring options. In some cases, we may be able to schedule back-up meeting times or alternate leadership development opportunities for those individuals who are unable to attend events during their scheduled times.
Note: Additional details pertaining to events and assignments may be included in our weekly newsletter, so please monitor your email closely. Also, the student guide will be updated over winter break to include spring event dates and any program developments.
Orientation | At your GEM Orientation, you will have a chance to get to know your fellow participants, and we will take time to review program expectations, responsibilities, events, and the LEAD 2100 course structure in more detail. This will be our first meeting as a group, and shortly thereafter, you will receive your first assignment. This assignment will ask you to articulate your goals for your GEM experience.
Professional Development Workshop | At this event, coordinated by the GCSU Career Center, you will learn more about professionalism, networking, and business etiquette. It is also at this meeting where you will be notified who your mentor is. You are encouraged to contact your mentor anytime after this date in order to begin to get to know each other. Your mentor will also have received your information by this time and been notified that he or she may contact you at any point after this date. Although the Opening Reception is not until mid-October, you may begin to schedule shadowing visits if there are opportunities.
Shadowing Visits | Shadowing visits are the heart of the GEM experience, as they allow you to witness leadership in action in the professional world. You are encouraged to watch closely, listen carefully, and participate actively in these visits, for your observations, thoughts, and experiences will contribute significantly to the lessons you learn. You and your mentor should complete at least three shadowing visits over the course of the year, but feel free to complete more if there are opportunities.
The details of a shadowing visit often vary depending on a number of factors: the nature of your mentor's job, your particular interests, current events, and the flexibility of your and your mentor's schedules. Some visits take place in the office and involve you meeting professional staff and learning how everyone contributes to the success of your mentor's organization, and others take place out of the office on trips, site visits, meetings, and so forth. You and your mentor are simply encouraged to look for engaging opportunities where you may be able to gain insight into what it takes to lead and succeed in the professional world, and you are sure to learn something quite unique.
You are encouraged to communicate regularly with your mentor, and you should feel free to take the initiative when scheduling your visits; however, if you should ever need any assistance in arranging these visits, please let us know. We are more than happy to help.
Your mentor understands that your academic responsibilities at GCSU are your priority; therefore, you should not hesitate to explain to your mentor an inability to schedule a visit due to an announced quiz, exam, etc. However, you should know that your mentor is an extremely busy individual, so you are strongly encouraged to maintain a flexible approach to your personal schedule so that you make take advantage of opportunities as they arise. If you must miss class in order to complete a shadowing visit, you should advise your instructor well in advance. GCSU faculty members have been very supportive of GEM, and the Office of Academic Engagement will be glad to provide any necessary written confirmation an instructor may require.
Also, know that professional presentation is an important reflection of you, the GEM program, and the institution. You are considered a representative of GCSU to the greater Georgia community, so please dress professionally for your shadowing visits. We would suggest that you err on the side of conservative dress, but the best way for you to know what you should wear on your shadowing visits is to consider what you will be doing and ask your mentor if you are in doubt.
Shadowing Visit Summaries | You are asked to submit summaries of each of your shadowing visits, as doing so encourages thoughtful examination of meaningful elements of your GEM experience. Furthermore, your summaries will assist you in completing your final reflection paper and program evaluation, as you will have the ability to draw upon your record of specific insights, questions, and thoughts as they occurred. Shadowing visit summaries should be at least 500 words, are due within a week of shadowing visits, and can be emailed as a word document to John at john.bowen@gcsu.edu. You are also more than welcome to set up a meeting with John to discuss your shadowing visits in person.
In general, you are asked to address the following questions as you complete your summaries:
• When was your visit?
• Where did you go?
• What did you do?
• Who did you meet/meet with?
• What did you attend or participate in?
• What did you observe?
• What did you learn about leadership and professionalism?
• What did you learn about the professional world?
• How can you begin to apply what you learned?
Leadership Retreat | At this traditional leadership programs event, coordinated by the GCSU Outdoor Center and co-hosted with the Leadership Certificate Program, you will build relationships with fellow student leaders on campus and work with them to complete fun and challenging group initiatives.
Book Discussions & Check-Ins | Students will attend four book discussions and check-ins over the course of the year (two in the fall and two in the spring). At these meetings, you will discuss a variety of leadership topics and the lessons you are learning from your experience in GEM.
Reflection Assignments | You will also receive reflection assignments that will be due the date of these meetings. These assignments will be based on material we are covering in our texts, and are considered opportunities for you to gain a greater understanding of important leadership concepts.
Opening Reception | Students, mentors, and a number of GCSU administrators and faculty are invited to attend the GEM 2009-2010 Opening Reception, hosted by John Varner, Director of the PAGE Foundation, at the PAGE office in Atlanta. This event is held to celebrate the selection of you and your fellow participants, thank mentors for contributing their time and support to the program, and kickoff another great year of GEM. GCSU will charter a bus for students, administrators, and faculty, and the bus will depart Milledgeville around 3:30pm and return around 10:00pm. Dress is "business", and dinner will be served.
Inclusion & Diversity Workshop | At this workshop, coordinated by the GCSU Office of Institutional Equity & Diversity, you will expand your personal awareness of diversity, personally and organizationally; increase your knowledge about how inclusion and exclusion operates, intentionally and unintentionally, in organizations, and in U.S. society; identify the impacts of diversity on interpersonal communication, teamwork, performance, productivity, and organizational success; and begin to develop techniques and skills that support an inclusive and respectful workplace and culturally competent delivery of services.
Women's Leadership Forums & Executives Forums | GEM and the Leadership Certificate Program are incredibly fortunate to have established a partnership with the Women's Leadership Forum (WLF) and The Executives Forum (EF), both coordinated by the Dean's Office in the GCSU J. Whitney Bunting School of Business. Approximately five students from the LCP and/or GEM are invited to attend each WLF/EF event, where they will interact with a number of community leaders and hear guest speakers from around the state. Sign up is on a first-come/first-serve basis, so be on the lookout for announcements and reply quickly if you are interested. These events are open to all students who are currently in GEM or the LCP, and are not required as part of your participation.
Professional Resumes & Mock Interviews | During the fall and spring you will have opportunities with the GCSU Career Center to hone your professional resume and participate in a mock interview. Both are required, and you may complete them at any point during your GEM experience.
Final Reflection Paper | The final reflection paper presents questions that will help you frame your experiences in GEM, thus allowing you to maximize the lessons you take away from it. The final reflection assignment will be posted in the spring, and your response can be emailed as a word document to John Bowen at john.bowen@gcsu.edu.
Closing Ceremony | At this event, students, mentors, and a number of GCSU administrators and faculty celebrate the completion of an enriching year in the program. Several students will share the lessons they learned from their mentorship, and all students and mentors are recognized for their participation.
Program Evaluation | Near the end of spring, students and mentors are asked to complete program evaluations and feedback forms. This assessment is vital to the ongoing success of GEM, as each year the program is enhanced by the experience of the students and mentors participating the preceding year. Everyone's candid feedback gives the leadership programs staff the insight needed to provide an enriching experience for all. When the time comes, we would love to hear what you enjoyed about your experience as well as what suggestions you might have. This is how you can contribute to the quality development of such a life-enriching program.
GEM Student Guide | For a comprehensive overview of the GEM, formatted as a word document, you may download our GEM Student Guide.
