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Autumn Reflection

Whitney Fellows Program

 

The Whitney Fellow Program offers students in the College of Business and Communication the opportunity to graduate with the distinction as those who have grown to the stature of an "Employable Quality" and "Disciple-Leader". As a participant in the Whitney Fellow Program you will be asked to complete a variety of requirements, all of which are specifically designed to enhance your ability as a Leader.

Although the opportunity to become a Whitney Fellow is available to all, it is our anticipation that 20 - 40 individuals from each graduating class will rise to the standard.     

  

Benefits

 

  • Graduate with Honors
  • Centerpiece of your resume
  • Provide Leadership opportunities
  • Practical application experiences  

 

Requirements

 

Leadership with a small “ l ” (complete all of the following)

 

  • Attend a Leadership workshop—this workshop should be a legitimate training, seminar, or lecture, focused on helping you gain leadership skills. Such workshops are provided by the activities program, and by multiple societies. This could also include completion of the Apartment Leadership program here on campus (an online course). This might also be an off-campus event that largely focuses on leadership development.
  • Select and read 5 Leadership books from a provided list   See list
  • Leadership Validation (complete at least 1 of the following)
  1. Successfully leading, planning, organizing, and implementing an extracurricular, campus-wide event—this may be fulfilled by through leadership in an on campus event through the activities program. It may be a personal project. It may also be in the athletics program.
  2. Serving as student body officer—this would include both service in a presidency or as a representative or director on the Student Representative Council.
  3. Serving as an officer in the Newel K. Whitney Society or any other academic society –this must be a legitimate position where you have contributed in a significant way and can validate your experience.
  4. Serving in supervisory/leadership role in an established campus organization that is not a society (i.e. Rixida, Scroll, New Student Orientation, Athletics, or the Activities program)—this must be a legitimate position where you have contributed in a significant way and can validate your experience.
  • Create a Personal Leadership Module—familiarize yourself with the leadership model of the College of Business and Communication; it is a great resource for helping you develop your model. Based on what you have seen in leadership and experienced as a leader yourself, develop a personal leadership model that will be a guide to you in any position you may fill in your future. See Leadership Module Chart


Core Skills (show examples of each of the following in a portfolio)

 

  • Written Communication—provide a sample of a research paper, essay, analysis, etc. that demonstrates your ability to write clearly, and correctly.
  • Verbal Communication—provide a description (an written sample, if possible) of a speech or presentation that you have given in a public forum (i.e. classroom, competition, campus event, meeting, etc.)
  • Computer—provide a sample of documents, models, worksheets, etc. that demonstrate your proficiency to work in the basic computer software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, or appropriate communication software such as the Adobe Suite, Flash, Dream Weaver, etc.). You may also provide samples of work done using more advanced software.
  • Quantitative—provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate your proficiency in statistical, algebraic, or accounting problems.
  • Teamwork / Group, Interpersonal & Leadership—provide a written description of substantial projects or learning activities you have completed that have required the use of teamwork/group, interpersonal, and leadership skills. Describe how you employed these skills in the project.
  • Analytical and Problem Solving—provide a sample or description of a case study, scenario, project or problem you have completed requiring the use of analytical and problem solving skills. Describe how you employed these skills in the project, study, scenario, or problem.

 

*once you have completed everything described above, compile it in a simple, but professional portfolio that will be reviewed for approval.


Competitions (compete in at least 2 of the following)

 

  • Entrepreneur of the Year—provided by the Newel K. Whitney Society.
  • Business Springboard—provided by the Newel K. Whitney Society.
  • Business Plan Competition—provided by the Newel K. Whitney Society.
  • Advertising Competition—provided by American Advertising Federation.
  • Case Study Competition—provided by the Newel K. Whitney Society.
  • Public Speaking Competition—provided by the Newel K. Whitney Society.
  • Elevator Pitch Competition—provided by SIFE.
  • Another campus competition—this must be a competition that is relevant to your major/career.
  • Future Additions—as more and more competitions are provided on campus, these may also be approved.


Career Development (complete all of the following—all are elements of the Career Map)

 

  • Career Workshop—this is a workshop put on by Career and Internship services. It addresses networking, career planning, etc., and can be signed up for through Y-careers on mybyui.edu 
  • Internship Expedition / Pathways / Professional Visits / Networking Groups—many of these are provided through the University, but you may also qualify by personally organizing time to shadow professionals or attend networking groups.
  • Participate in Career Fair—each semester, a Career and Internship Fair is put on by Career and Internship Services. This achievement would require that you attend seriously, with the intent to either land a job or internship, or simply broaden your personal network. Provide a short description of your experience; how you prepared and what came of it.
  • Career Management Seminar—this is a seminar put on by Career and Internship Services. It addresses graduate school preparation, as well as career strategy and planning.
  • Vision Conference—this conference will be held each semester, and acquaints student with the Career Map and the Vision of the College of Business and Communication.
  • Practice interview—these interviews can either be scheduled at Career Services in the Kimball building, or in the Satellite office in Smith 225. Be prepared with a resume and a hypothetical position and company to interview for.
  • Resume review—these review can either be scheduled at Career Services in the Kimball building, or in the Satellite office in Smith 225. Come prepared with a copy of your resume that can be written on.
  • Internship—every student must complete at least one internship.
  • Standard portfolio or an e-portfolio—a portfolio is strong evidence to help support and prove the skills you claim to have. Whether electronic or standard, every student needs to compile a portfolio of their best work in all areas to showcase to a potential employer.
  • Major Fields test or a department substitute—if your department does not have a Major Fields Test, consult with an administrator about an appropriate substitute. This is a good general recognition of your proficiency at University level subjects.


Service / Participation (complete one of the following)

 

  • 15 hours-community or university—this could be service with New Student Orientation, or with any of the numerous programs housed under the Service division of the Activities program. This does not include church service hours spent in a calling or service project.
  • 15 hours service through involvement in societies or the activities program—this requirement is fulfilled by actual hours spent (unpaid) involved in the administration or activities of campus societies.
  • 10 hours service as a Mentor to a freshman student—this would require that an older student be matched with an incoming student with whom they would spend at least ten hours helping with advising, career planning, internship preparation, and any other needs of the student.


Faculty Evaluations (complete all of the following)


3 faculty evaluations covering the following areas (students should rank highly in each of these areas)—this need to be written evaluations by three different instructors.

 

  • Knowledge
  • Skills
  • Values
  • Experience
  • One Letter of recommendation from an employer or faculty member—this needs to be an up to date letter of recommendation (written no longer than 6 months ago).

 

Other requirements (fulfill all of the following)

 

  • GPA: at least 3.2—this is not your major GPA, this is cumulative. 
  • Minimum length of participation in the Newel K. Whitney Society and the Whitney Fellows program—3 semesters—exceptions to this requirement may be approved by the Advisory Committee. Exceptions would most likely be granted to transfer students and students who desire to participate, but have fewer than 3 semesters before graduation after the launch of the program.
  • Must complete all requirements and submit a verification of completion at least a month before graduation—meeting this requirement will give the committee sufficient time to revise all of your submitted materials and qualifications before approval. This will also provide time for the ordering of recognition materials.


*Any exceptions to the above requirements must be approved by the Whitney Fellow Advisory Committee

 

Leadership Module Example Chart

 

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