Academy of Leaders

The Academy Of Leaders (AOL) is the premier structured leadership development program for FIU students. AOL develops leadership in participants through educational seminars, experiential exercises, and practical application. Students participate in intensive training sessions that focus on building the following skills: awareness of personality type and leadership style, group development, conflict resolution, and facilitating an effective meeting.

AOL also utilizes the Leadership Challenge model (Kouzes & Posner, 2011) which incorporates five practices of exemplary leadership.

• Model the Way (Themes: values clarification, ethical dimensions)
• Inspire a Shared Vision (Themes: visioning, aligning with others, motivation and persuasion)
• Challenge the Process (Themes: creativity and innovation, learning from mistakes, and asking the right questions.)
• Enable Others to Act (Themes: empowering others, shared decision-making, team building, communication styles, group dynamics)
• Encourage the Heart (Themes: giving recognition, celebrating success)

AOL Tracks

• Athlete

  The Academy of leaders Athletes track is a collaborative partnership between the FIU Athletics department, the Division of Undergraduate Education, the Division of Student Affairs and the Center for Leadership & Service. Begun in 2008 AOL Athlete track was designed to serve the needs of the student athletes at FIU. This is a closed track; Participants must be chosen by the FIU Athletics department.

  
  For more information on this program please contact Shannonlee Rodriguez.

  
  
  

• Biscayne Bay Campus

  This track of AOL is open to any student that would like to attend the program on the Biscayne Bay Campus.  There is no minimum BBC class requirement, but participants must commit to attend all the dates listed below.  The Academy of Leaders BBC track is held every Fall & Spring semester.

  
  For more information on this program please contact Sabrena O’Keefe.

  Sign Up Here

• Graduate Student

  This track is specifically designed for graduate students.  This track combines the use of full day in person and online sessions.  Students engage in interactive learning activities that include self assessment, reflection, group problem solving, feedback, and goal setting.

  
  

  For more information on this program please contact Patricia T. Lopez-Guerrero.

• Greek

  The Greek Academy of Leaders track is a collaborative partnership between Campus Life and the Center for Leadership & Service. This track of Academy of Leaders is designed to impact the Greek community and promote Greek unity.  The Greek Academy of Leaders programs targets students who are currently active members of their fraternity or sorority.  This is a closed track; Participants must be nominated by their organization.

  For more information on this program please contact Shannonlee Rodriguez.

• MMC

  This track of AOL is open to any student that would like to attend the program on the Modesto Madique Campus.  The MMC AOL track is available in the fall and spring semesters.

  
  For more information on this program please contact Shannonlee Rodriguez.

  Sign Up Here

• Panther Camp

  The Panther Camp AOL is a track designed for students that have participated in Panther Camp and is a collaboration with the Office of Orientation and Parent Programs.  This track of AOL is only available in the Fall.

  For more information on this program please contact Shannonlee Rodriguez.

AOLer of the Month

• About the Award
  
  The AOL'er of the Month is a recognition award for an outstanding AOL'er who has gone above and beyond and truly exemplifies the ideals of The Leadership Challenge (Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act & Encourage the Heart). To be eligible, you must have either graduated from AOL or currently be in AOL when nominated. The nominated student must be in good academic standing.
   
  The winning student will be contacted by a staff member at the Center for Leadership and Service, for a short interview. The distinguished AOL'er will receive a certificate of distinction & be highlighted on our social media and the next edition of the AOL Newsletter.
   
  Do you know someone who deserves to be nominated? Remember that applications are always open to submit a nomination!
• Past Winners

  2017

  January – Victoria Jones

  February – Carina Baltrip Reyes

  March – Rigoberto Menedez

  2016

  February – Lizette Mollera

  August – Yamila Catapano

  September – Jonathan Espino

  October – Kenya Henry

  November – Ronan Kelly 

   

  2015

  March – Amin Sarikhami

  April – Shai Morrison

  November – Julio Carpio

   

  2014

  January – Karina Quintana

  February – John Cervera

  March – Victoria Junkins

  April – Rowan Toolsie

  September – Marcus Ghent

  October – David Mitchell

  November – Vanessa de Laosa

  2013

  January – Angelica Hanon

  February – Michael Padykula

  March – Gabriel Bonilla

  April – Martin Llobell

  September – Micaela Baldivieso

  October – Tam Pham

  November – Edmunds Bernard

   

  2012

  January – Dana Mekler

  February – Kevin Gusman

  March – Alicia Garcia Carbonell

  April – Bianca Bovo

  May – Catherine Cruz

  June – Aura Altamiranda

  July – Nikols Mendoza

  August – Shoshannah Ascione

  September – Jocabed De Los Santos

  October – Jesse De Armas

   

  2011

  June – Sally Contreras

  July – Daniel Lerin

  August – Yanyn San Luis

  September – La’Shae White

  October – Ana Perez

  November – Jose Garcia