The VCU Emerging Leaders Program 2016-17 projects, that will be financially supported by proceeds from the Friends of VCU Libraries book sale are:

Upper Class Rules and Regulations Within Residence Halls

To examine existing policies that upperclass students find burdensome. Scope of Project: Survey upperclass students in apartment settings, identify concerns, benchmark with other universities in urban environments with apartment-style living, analyze findings and make recommendations. 

Enhancing Faculty–Student Interaction Outside the Classroom

To identify programs, activities or initiatives to enhance faculty and student interaction outside of classroom settings. These interactions would be potentially enriching for both parties, increase a sense of community at the university and support student success. Scope of Project: To explore initiatives at other universities and potential programs/activities with current students and faculty and to create a pilot program at VCU for fall 2017.

Transfer Student Transitions to VCU

To identify programs, activities or initiatives to support transfer students new to VCU. Many support mechanisms are in place to help first-year students transition from high school to VCU. Few resources are in place for transfer students. Scope of Project: To explore initiatives at other universities and potential programs/activities with current students and faculty and to create a pilot program at VCU for fall 2017.

Ram Exchange

To continue to develop and expand the annual student-run thrift event that gives students a way to buy, sell or exchange unwanted items. Scope of Project: Items--clothes and accessories--will be collected campuswide and a thrift event scheduled. 

Peer-to- Peer (P2P) DisAbilities Mentorship Program

Create and run a peer mentorship program with the goal of helping students with disabilities acclimate to a university setting and successfully integrate into the larger VCU community. Scope of Project: Develop and implement a peer-led mentorship program for VCU students with disabilities, set up a framework for ongoing meetings between mentors and their mentees. Work with the Office of Disability Support Services to conduct outreach to students to develop interest in the program.

Redesign Identity and Branding of ELP

Students will develop a fresh design and launch a rebranding campaign to promote the VCU Emerging Leadership Program online, in video and print. Scope of Project: Research and explore different university branding and designing of leadership programs, conduct qualitative research on ELP leadership through interviews, focus groups and other methods with ELP students, alumni, faculty and staff. Based upon their research, develop a marketing and branding campaign to promote ELP through its website, social media and presence on campus.