At Creighton University, there is a distinguished group of students who have a true passion for leadership. These are the students immersed into a living-learning community called the Freshman Leadership Program (FLP). For many students that work through and graduate the program, their definition of leadership changes with all they learn.
Students who have partaken in the Freshman Leadership Program would agree it is a life-changing experience. Ryan Edmonds, a current freshman in the program, stated, "Many people think that leadership is about holding a high position or executive role, but FLP wants us to understand that leadership is about self-awareness and servitude to others. So, as an individual, I have grown to be more self aware of the people I am around and I can value and comprehend people's intentions and motives better, which can help me to better understand them as a person and as a leader."
FLP provides opportunities to network with leaders in the Creighton and Omaha communities with service, seminars, retreats, community activism projects, and workshops. These help FLPers ("flippers") to learn more about his or her own individual leadership styles and how to be a leader among a group of fellow leaders. Moreover, it provides lasting friendships and memories for a lifetime.
The program has multiple tiers: there are the FLPers, who are the Freshman students for which the program is largely designed. The FLPers also have mentor groups, to which each group is assigned two sophomore mentors who have graduated the program as a freshman. When asked to reflect on her time as a mentor, Libby Brower stated, "The most challenging but rewarding part about being a mentor is taking a step back to let someone grow at their own pace and then getting to see what they were able to accomplish throughout their first year of college."
Then there is an executive team that consists of students who help run the program and plan the events throughout the school year, a student coordinator, and professional staff members that serve as advisors as student organizations all have. The program inspires leadership and growth throughout all levels of the program. "As a freshman you learn more about personal leadership, and progressing as a mentor you start apply what you've learned as a freshman. As an exec and coordinator, you learn how to lead others in their learning of leadership," says current Mentor Executive and incoming Student Coordinator, Alex Hardy.
Right off the bat, the program provides an environment to learn, grow, and develop leadership skills and styles with fellow students and program members. From late nights in the dorm neutral zone to massive dinner groups in the dining halls to bonding over the Fall Retreat, FLP provides a fun and nurturing environment that promotes self-reflection, hard work, and countless memories.
For twenty-eight years now, the Freshman Leadership Program has been shaping young leaders from all around the world. Looking forward, the program hopes to fulfill its mission to "cultivate leadership and self-development" for countless generations to come.
