Student Leadership Opportunities
Luther College has a higher calling—to help students connect faith with learning, freedom with responsibility, and life's work with service.
Luther has many leadership opportunities available. While there are many definitions of leadership, we believe strongly in two key principles:
- Any act of leadership should, by definition, include the element of service, either to the campus or broader world community;
- Any act of service is leadership.
Getting Started
- The names and contact persons for organizations and opportunities can be obtained from the Student Activities Office, or the Student Life Office.
- Each fall, on the second day of classes, the Student Activities Office hosts the Student Activities Fair, with scores of organizations presenting information and collecting contact information for new members.
- Dig it out yourself by asking around. Friends, upperclass students, posters, advisers, faculty, and staff are excellent resources. Surf the Luther webpages. Many of the groups below have sites.
- Create an experience! Be yourself; identify a need; fill a void. Assume that you can do it!
Academic Clubs
Numerous groups are organized around specific academic disciplines to enhance the academic experience.
Athletics
Besides the competition, numerous opportunities exist for fellowship, mentoring, and community service within our athletic teams, sport clubs, and intramural activities.
College Ministries
Lots of activity, associated organizations that address special concerns (e.g., the environment, social justice), service, and outreach opportunities make college ministries a campus hot spot.
Campus Service
The annual Luther Phon-a-thon and positions in the admissions office build skills in working with the public and serve the campus at the same time. Nearly 100 volunteers help welcome new students each fall during new student orientation.
Multicultural Opportunities
Various student organizations offer support, education, and service to individuals, the campus, and local communities related to multicultural celebration and awareness. The Luther Diversity Center is central to supporting these groups.
Music
Remember that the abundance of music activities provides much more than performance; look for leadership activities within any of the many groups.
Residence Life
Opportunities for activity and leadership are available via hall councils, special committees, an annual leadership conference, and resident assistant positions. Visit the Residence Life website.
Service
Service is at the heart of the Luther College mission statement, and service/volunteerism is strong in many student organizations from residence hall floors to one of our largest student groups, Alpha Phi Omega, a national coed service fraternity. The Career Center and Student Life Office maintain a list of volunteer opportunities and provide many other resources on volunteering and service learning.
Student Activities
The Student Activities Office and SAC (Student Activities Council) are the hub of student-led campus activities—Homecoming, concerts, movies, special events, yearbook, community service, comedians, and much more. It takes a lot of people with lots of varied interests and skills. Also check out opportunities for student involvement with the Performing Arts Council (PAC).
Student Employment
Don't think that work study or other student work is simply a way to pay the bills. It can be one of the best opportunities to develop work and leadership skills. Many campus sites provide excellent training to help students grow and serve in their positions.
Student Government
Student Senate and residence halls offer a wide range of offices and committee work that provide leadership opportunities and interaction with faculty and staff related to important campus issues.