HDF 190: FLITE (FIRST-YEAR LEADERS INSPIRED TO EXCELLENCE)

URI MINOR IN LEADERSHIP STUDIES, CENTER FOR STUDENT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

CORE REQUIREMENT FOR THE LEADERSHIP MINOR
SPRING 2015
JOSEPH T. OLDHAM

LEARNING CONTRACT
Goal: To identify and utilize my Strengths in an organizational/interpersonal setting that
aligns with the mission, vision, values and sponsored programs and activities of URIs
Center for Student Leadership Development.

Activity: (Detail your plan)

Welcome Day Leadership Ambassador
Evidence: (Include as an attachment in your website tab at the completion of this project)

Annotation: (Annotation is an outcome-based descriptive of your activity, similar to

descriptive notes and is written only when you have completed your activity)
This past Saturday morning I participated as a Leadership Studies Ambassador for
the Center of Student Leadership Development here at the University of Rhode Island. As
a Leadership Studies Ambassador, you are representing the University and you are a
reflection of the Leadership Program as well. I found that being a Leadership
Ambassador is a great way to communicate with prospective students and parents and
connect with them. I also noticed that I would have the ability to utilize relational
leadership and portray the impact that it has had on me and the impact it could have on
them.
I participated as a Leadership Studies Ambassador this past fall, which was great
experience for this time in the spring at Welcome Day for accepted students. This allowed
me to look back this day a little more critically. I was able to observe others and how they
were able to connect to others and see their leadership styles in play how they utilize
them in such a professional environment. Also, I was able to learn from the other students
in my class that were ambassadors that day which inspired me to develop and grow as a
leader. This experience allowed me to reflect on my previous time of being a leadership

ambassador and how I was fostering positive social change in the lives of possible
incoming college freshmen here at URI.
When I originally signed up to be a Leadership Studies Ambassador and attended
a training session, I felt I had to be very rehearsed and robotic about talking to
prospective students. Once I got in the environment for the second time I was able to
lighten up due to my other classmates there since I noticed they were opening to the
prospective students and allowing them into their inner circle. They were not just spitting
on facts and trying to sell them about Leadership studies, but rather trying to sell them the
experience and impact it had on them. I was able to adjust rather quickly and show to the
students and families there my experience and how this program can do some truly
amazing things for them. This was a truly great learning experience.
Finally, I was able to see my some of my strengths come through. Specifically I
was able to see my strengths such as includer, strategic, and communication in work. I
was able to effectively welcome these prospective students to the University and allow
them to learn about our Leadership Program and what could do for them and what it has
done for us already. Then I was able to be strategic by finding ways to get the students I
was talking to, excited and engaged so they would consider the idea of applying to go to
Leadership Institute and continue with the minor. My ability to communicate effectively
was helpful as well since I was able to bring my experiences and ideas to life in order to
capture the eyes of those students and the impact that leadership would have in their
lives. My values of hope and curiosity also were a huge help as well. I noticed I was able
to show faith in these prospective students and their ability to make a difference at the
University which is huge motivation, especially coming from a college student. I was

also get them even more excited by asking them questions about themselves to make
them feel important. It allows me to be an effective inclusive leader since I am accepting
of all which is important, especially as an ambassador for a very well-known program at
URI. This an experience allowed me to learn about what I can do to improve as leader as
well how I utilize my strengths and values when connecting with people.

Instructor Signature: ____________________________________________

Student Signature: ______________________________________________