Effective Development through Guided Education (EDGE)

The EDGE provides structured leadership programs, inspiring students on campus to develop their potential to be effective advocates for themselves, their peers, and their communities. What separates The EDGE from other leadership development programs is that students will have the option to complete leadership certificates that are sequential (Bronze, Silver, or Gold) or specialized (Community Service and Engagement, Athletic, or Diversity and Social Justice). Students who elect to participate in The EDGE will:

  • Develop or enhance skills such as communication, critical decision making, analytical skills, clarification of their personal and professional values, goal setting and effective planning, and many others;
  • Prepare themselves to be effective motivators of their peers;
  • Discover their own personal leadership style and how it impacts their ability to work with others;
  • Build a foundation in leadership theories and develop their own personal leadership model;
  • Foster a commitment to leadership in community service, social justice, or in athletics;
  • Reflect on their experience either written, orally, or verbally.

Benefits of "livin' on the EDGE?"

  • Developed, empowered, well-developed sense of direction for life;
  • Recognition and respected notoriety amongst teammates, classmates, professors, coaches, and administrators;
  • Life skills transferrable to multiple careers;
  • Enhanced character development;
  • Resume enhancement and appeal to potential employers;
  • General letter of reference for credentials;
  • Tangible certificate awarded at Student Affairs Leadership and Service Recognition Social.
General Information

Each certificate program requires a student to complete specific workshops, four of which are required of all participants. These programs may be completed at any time over the course of a student's enrollment at LVC. Required programs for each certificate will be offered at least once a year with the exception of Bronze Certificate required programs which will be offered each semester.

Optional programs will be offered on a revolving basis, but will be offered at least once every four semesters. Programs will be facilitated by Leadership Development Educators (undergraduate students who have been trained to be facilitators), Student Affairs staff members, and other individuals from the Lebanon Valley College community.

Additional requirements follow:

  • The Silver Certificate requires a student to complete an experiential component of ten (10) hours of involvement;
  • The Gold Certificate requires a student to complete an experiential component of ten (10) hours of involvement and a Personal Leadership Model Paper;
  • The Community Service and Engagement Certificate requires a student to complete twenty (20) hours of community service and a Personal Reflection Paper;
  • The Athletic Leadership Certificate requires a student to complete an experiential component of (5) hours of involvement with an athletic organization.

Print out an EDGE Leadership Tracker to help keep track of workshops completed.

Sequential Leadership Certificates

Bronze Leadership Skills Certificate: focuses on personal skill development and overall growth and provides a solid foundation for practicing leadership techniques later in life.

Silver Practicing Leadership Certificate: offers more in-depth skill development and assists students with the task of learning about and using their personal leadership strengths to work with others to solve problems. The Silver Certificate cannot be completed until the Bronze Certificate is earned.

Gold Personal Leadership Certificate: provides opportunities to examine individual leadership theories in order to assist students in developing a personal leadership model. The Gold Certificate cannot be completed until both the Silver and Bronze Certificates are earned.

Specialized Leadership Certificates

Community Service and Engagement Certificate: designed to help students understand the role that community service plays in a global society. This certificate program will introduce students to the responsibilities that community service participation requires, encourage students to reflect on their experiences, learn how leadership is a major component of service, and offers an opportunity to make a difference through direct service participation. Service hours required for this certificate may be those earned in conjunction with the Community Service Awards through the Chaplain's office.

Diversity and Social Justice Certificate: designed to encourage students to recognize, appreciate, and celebrate the diversity that the world offers, the difference between privilege and oppression, what responsibilities come with being a person of privilege in society, and how to take action to acquire true equality.

Athletic Leadership: offers student leaders already within the Lebanon Valley College NCAA Athletic program the chance to enhance and develop their leadership skills specifically related to athletics. This certificate, which students can complete at any time during their education at the college, will instill the values and growth necessary to find success within their own personal sport and more importantly, within their transition to life outside of athletics.

Policies/Procedures

Additional programs can be added to the Optional Program List for any or all of the EDGE Certificates as collaborations develop with specific departments or campus constituencies. While participants would have the ability to shape their certificate program to their interests through the optional program list, all students would have to complete the four required programs in order to earn their certificate.

Students may attend workshops in any certificate program at any time (with the exception of the Gold Certificate), in any order, but a student must complete all requirements for a certificate before it is awarded.  To get started, simply attend workshops as they are offered throughout the semester or schedule a 30 minute appointment with Todd Snovel, Associate Director of Student Activities and Engagement by calling Deb Bishop at x6235 (867-6235). If you are an athlete wishing to complete the Athletic certificate, please contact Carol Miller at x6268 (867-6268).