OFFICE OF STUDENT ORIENTATION, LEADERSHIP, AND ENGAGEMENT

NSLS

The National Society of Leadership and Success is the nation’s largest leadership honor society serving thousands of members each year. The NSLS is founded upon the core beliefs that one can achieve one’s dreams with the proper support and dedicated action, and that we accomplish more together than we would achieve alone. Our mission is to build leaders who make a better world.

The NSLS began with founder Gary Tuerack’s vision of creating a community where like-minded, success oriented individuals could come together and help one another succeed. Starting with a handful of chapters in 2001, the NSLS now reaches hundreds of thousands of students at hundreds of chapters around the world. The NSLS encourages community action, volunteerism, personal growth, and strong leadership from its chapters and members. Students are selected by their college for membership based on either academic standing or leadership potential, and candidacy is a nationally recognized achievement.

NUFP

A program of NASPA, the mission of the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program is to increase the number of historically disenfranchised and underrepresented professionals in student affairs and/or higher education, including but not limited to those of racial and ethnic-minority background; those having a disability; and those identifying as LGBTQ.

TAMIU has institutionalized support for the TAMIU NUFP Program for students interested in joining the student affairs profession. NUFP Fellows will be matched with a TAMIU Mentor.

Admissions requirements are as follows:

• Identify as a member of a traditionally underrepresented or historically disenfranchised student population, including, but not limited to Black/African American, Asian/Asian American/Pacific Islander/Desi American, Hispanic/Latinx/a/o, Indigenous (Native American, Alaskan, Hawaiian), Multiethnic, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or as having a disability
• Have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA at the time of application. Applicants with a 2.7 cumulative GPA will receive preference in the review process
• Have a NASPA member serve as your mentor. Fellows and Mentors apply to NUFP together so a proposed mentor must be identified as part of the application. The proposed mentor does not need to be a NASPA member at time of application. However, Fellows will not be fully admitted to the program until the mentor becomes a NASPA member. All proposed mentors must be full-time professionals with at least two years of experience, post-master's.
• Have at least two more semesters of undergraduate education left at time of application. For the 2019-2020 cycle, December 2019 graduates must apply by the summer deadline of June 28, 2019.

TAMIU Trailblazers

The TAMIU Trailblazers program is a co-curricular leadership initiative that allows students to Go Beyond the classroom. It is free and open to all Dustdevils. No application is required.

Available engagement opportunities include conferences, workshops, organizations, leadership roles, and the list goes on. All 150+ items are offered within five learning dimensions: Career Development, Civic Leadership, Global Perspective, Health & Wellness and Personal Enrichment.

Each learning dimension is divided into three levels: Exploring Stage, Engagement Stage and the Leadership Stage. Successful completion of a learning dimension includes:

• Completing three (3) items in the Exploring Stage
• Completing two (2) items in the Engagement Stage
• Completing one (1) item in the Leadership Stage

You may track your progress using the Trailblazers (CampusLabs Engage) platform. Items may be completed through self-reporting, event attendance records, and membership within organizations.

Get Started!

Upon completing a learning dimension, you will earn a patch for graduation. Students who complete all five learning dimensions will earn an additional patch and pin.

What can be recognized?

There are hundreds of in-person and virtual ways to create your unique TAMIU experience. To view a full list, simply login to Trailblazers. Click on your profile and select Paths.

Discover all the opportunities

How do I track my progress?

There are three easy ways to track your experiences. We have made brief how to videos for each one. Take a look!

How long does it take to complete the program?

Each Dustdevil’s journey is unique. We recommend planning your engagement on campus as soon as you can—especially since most items at the leadership stage require at least a semester commitment.

Implement Planning Tips

What is a changemaking project?

We are so glad you asked. Think about it as an initiative that creates sustainable social or environmental change.

Take the Next Step

Is there a difference between Trailblazers and the Trailblazers Team?

Actually, yes. The Team promotes the program amongst other things. Members are selected on a semester-by-semester basis and serve as engagement advocates.

Join the Trailblazers Team

When do I pick up my patch(es)?

Each semester, we email graduating students instructions for picking up their Trailblazers patch(es). Simply make sure to apply for graduating in a timely manner to ensure you stay in the loop.

Apply for Graduation

International Leadership Series

Your learning, thinking and actions—both now and after graduating—are integral to achievement of a more just, secure and sustainable global future. That is why the International Leadership Series (ILS) is comprised of 60-minute speaker seminars centered on Oxfam’s curriculum for global citizenship.

Our theme for the 2019-2020 academic year is Changemaking: Transforming Our World for Good.

September 13

Gender, Violence and Development | Dr. Pamela Neumann

October 11

Climate Justice for Latinx Communities and Everyone | Virginia Palacios

February 14

March 6

TBA

If you are in search of taking your learning to the next level, we invite you to consider becoming an International Leadership Fellow.

Commitments

• Attend all four International Leadership Series (ILS) speaker seminars
• Collaborate with colleagues in mapping the system during the Idea Lab
• Meet with assigned team members and faculty mentor during Spring
• Pitch a team solution during Ignite which is open to the community

Benefits

• Dedicated faculty team mentor for research
• Receive distinct recognition at the Emerging Leaders Celebration
• Earn Trailblazers Credit at the Leadership Stage within the Global Perspective Dimension
• Opportunity to win $1,000 and a spot in Because International’s Pursuit Incubator

The process for our 2020-2021 cohort will begin September