The Liberal Studies mission emphasizes students, faculty, and administrators working collaboratively to develop “global leaders that will become agents of change in a changing world.” Opportunities for civic engagement, service, and leadership are thus integral to the mission and goals of LS and New York University. Below are a selection of options for making a difference as an LS student.
Leadership
Student Council
The Liberal Studies Student Council (LSSC) represents the interests of Core Program and Global Liberal Studies (GLS) students at NYU and within Liberal Studies. The LSSC also programs events and social gatherings for all students in Liberal Studies.
LS Student Advisory Board for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The student advisory board for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI SAB) is a student committee that is responsible for collecting students’ voices and representing them to the program-wide committee as well as the Dean. DEI SAB also organizes two events per semester for the LS community regarding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Student Leaders
A leadership program that engages current and former LS students in sharing their NYU story and experiences with prospective and first-year students, while creating community with fellow students, faculty and staff.
Peer Mentorship Programs
Mentorship programs are available for both first-generation and international students enrolled in Liberal Studies, where each students is paired during the first year with an upper-level peer mentor. The mentor helps them transition to college life, while providing academic and personal connections and support. The mentors have volunteered to offer guidance and encouragement, and answer questions about NYU student life and resources.
Leadership and Service Bootcamp
An intensive and interactive session offered in the spring semester. The session is designed to equip participants with the knowledge to build leadership skills, engage with service opportunities, and make relevant career connections for local and global impact.
LEAD Democracy Initiative Fellowships
Funded fellowships for undergraduate & graduate students at NYU to defend democracy while advancing their own critical professional and leadership skills, and receive funding for their work with organizations that support voter registration, voting rights, and GOTV.
Supports undergraduate students who are committed to addressing issues of economic and/or racial inequality through summer internship experience, career and leadership development, mentoring, and networking opportunities. The Changemaker Fellowship awards grants of $5,000 to students!
NYU Entrepreneurs Challenge
Comprises three individual competitions focused on disruptive ideas with significant impact: new ventures, social ventures, and technology ventures. Teams participate in coaching sessions, design thinking workshops, business modeling and networking opportunities; and competition winners share a total of $300K in cash and startup services.
NYU Leadership Week
An annual week of programming that offers university-wide events and thematic workshops for students to provide opportunities to explore leadership from a variety of perspectives.
Peer Mentorship and Support Programs
NYU offers academic-, community-, and career-based leadership programs for students to serve as a resource for their peers, such as Admissions Ambassadors, Commuter Assistants, and Wasserman Career Ambassadors.
Wasserman First Class Professional Development & Mentorship Program
Matches first-generation undergraduate students with a mentor who is a professional in their industry of interest as well as a dedicated Wasserman career coach.
Presidential Internship Program
This structured program offers rising juniors with potential for success in a university career meaningful work experience, structured leadership development opportunities, mentorship from high-level NYU administrators, and a paid internship for the academic year.
The Leadership Studio
The Leadership Studio is a monthly workshop series that provides participants with the opportunity to practice, exercise, and ultimately gain a new skill that can be incorporated into their lives. Studio sessions will incorporate collaborative learning coupled with the notion of less information covered in greater depth to facilitate engaged leadership experiences.
SPARK – Emerging Leaders Weekend
SPARK your potential for leadership at NYU and beyond with the Center for Student Life! Through a weekend of reflection, exploration, and action, you will join an intimate cohort of peers to uncover your leadership potential. Elements of storytelling, music, acting, and photography will be used to spotlight leadership concepts that will propel your involvement at NYU. Clubs and Organizations | Student Media
Clinton Global Initiative University
To harness the potential of the next generation of leaders from campuses around the world, the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU) convenes an annual meeting where students, youth organizations, and renowned experts come together to turn ideas into action. As either individuals or groups, students develop a “commitment to action” plan that addresses a pressing global issue.
Davis Project for Peace
NYU is a Davis United World Scholars Program partner school, allowing undergraduate students to apply for a funding grants of $10,000 each. Davis Projects for Peace proposals are submitted by students, and implemented the following summer to promote peace, build understanding, and address the root causes of conflict among parties.
NYU Summer Launchpad
A 10-week accelerator for teams of NYU student entrepreneurs that provides $10,000 in grant funding (non-dilutive, zero equity), startup skills bootcamps, individual coaching from NYC entrepreneurs and early stage investors, collaborative workspace for the summer, pro-bono legal incorporation counsel, web hosting credits and other perks to help get your venture launched.
Contact ls.studentaffairs@nyu.edu with questions about leadership opportunities.
Chen Liang
Junior, LS Core/ CAS, Economics
LS Student Leader, 2019-2020
What is most memorable about this leadership experience? As a Liberal Studies Student Leader, there are many memorable experiences. I helped many incoming first-year students to find the locations on campus and answer their questions about NYU and NYC. In the advising group presentations, my partner Benjamin and I really tried our best to find resources and provide a guide about life at NYU. The events were indeed fun and I felt very glad to have the chance to share our experience and help out fellow students.
What did you learn about leadership and yourself as a leader from this experience? At first, I thought there might be many students who would ask me for help. But I find that many NYU students are very independent and may rely more on personal efforts. Being a leader for me is more about offering support. Student leaders sent out monthly emails that contained our personal sharing and updates about resources to the first-year students. I learned to be more outgoing when trying to care for others.
Advice for students interested in participating in this role... LSSL is an interesting and rewarding experience. You can use your talent and experience to help out new students. Sometimes new students are a little shy and you are more than welcome to reach out to them.
Leadership: The process of working with others to “envision a better future, build commitment and align people’s actions toward shared goals, and ultimately, to produce results that make the envisioned future a reality.”
—NYU Leadership Initiative
Links
- Service Service and civic engagement at Liberal Studies and beyond
- NYU Local and Global Service Find more opportunities to volunteer with NYU
- NYU Community Engagement Impact the community surrounding NYU
- NYU Leadership Initiative Rethink leadership as collective work with a shared vision