Celebrating diversity, empowering students and expanding opportunities
The Multicultural and Leadership Development Center cultivates a campus-wide community, which celebrates diversity, empowers students to grow beyond their personal barriers, strengthens students’ understanding of diversity and social responsibility, and develops students’ leadership skills. Our office promotes academic, leadership and personal growth. Our vision is to nurture a generation of ethical and knowledgeable leaders who contribute to the ever-changing global society.
Leadership
We are committed to offering students a holistic experience by providing leadership development opportunities that empower individuals to question critically, think logically and live ethically while becoming active citizens within the campus community and beyond.


Emerging Leader
An Emerging Leader is a first-year student, transfer or any student who has not yet engaged in leadership opportunities on campus and wants to discover the fundamentals of leadership.
Emerging Eagles

Engaged Leader
An Engaged Leader is a student who has some leadership experience through previous programs, organizations or other on-campus opportunities and wants further engagement.
EMERGING EAGLES MENTOR

Enlightened Leader
An Enlightened Leader is a student who is fully immersed in the culture of leadership and seeks to expand leadership potential by giving back to the FGCU campus.
OMICRON DELTA KAPPAOpportunities to Grow
Presidential Leadership Certificate
The Presidential Leadership Certificate (PLC) recognizes students during their leadership journey. PLC offers three phases of leadership development (Emerging Leader, Engaged Leader and Enlightened Leader). Participants of the PLC program earn recognition of each phase completed. Students design a self-paced, comprehensive experience while being guided by a leadership mentor.
Your mentor will support you as well as challenge you to develop and enhance your skills, which are demonstrated through completion of the three phases. The certificate is a valuable accomplishment as it honors well-rounded and exceptional leaders who excel in their commitment to personal development and positive change.
Participants must complete all requirements and will be honored at a reception upon completion.
LeaderShape Institute
Since its inception in 1986, The LeaderShape Institute has achieved a national reputation as one of the premier leadership development programs for young adults. Over 20,000 individuals from more than 500 colleges, universities, corporations, and organizations across America have graduated from the program. The Multicultural & Leadership Development Center hosts this nationally recognized intensive four-day experience annually. Through interactive leadership training and development, participants create visions for meaningful change and enhance their capacity to lead with integrity. Student leaders participate in small and large group activities, discussions, and reflection exercises. LeaderShape Institute provides an environment for students to develop personal leadership growth and relationships with FGCU staff members and student leaders that represent various communities on campus.
MLD host the national LeaderShape Institute which is a highly regarded as an intensive and energizing four-day program, held annually in March (spring break), which is open to student leaders, organizations or any participant interested in producing extraordinary results for their college experience and beyond, while also developing a commitment to lead with integrity.
Through interactive group activities, simulations and dialogue, LeaderShape provides insight to act in consideration of ethical values, develop meaningful relationships and lead with integrity. Participants develop a plan for meaningful change in whatever community they wish to positively affect.
The curriculum, centered on the philosophy of leading with integrity, is a building-block program with a strategic focus for each day.
Leadership Academy
The Leadership Academy is an intensive three-day weekend for students to focus on enhancing their leadership knowledge and application. The free retreat is based on the “The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership” from “The Leadership Challenge” by Kouzes and Posner. Through interactive workshops, small group discussions and practical application, the retreat allows students to connect with their peers and develop skills in a safe and challenging environment off campus.
iLEAD Summit
iLEAD Summit is a one day conference style program intended to connect students and student leaders while promoting collaborative efforts, developing leadership skills and building lifelong relationships. The summit is held every fall and is open to all students and registered student organizations.
The program includes:
- An inspirational and dynamic keynote speaker
- A variety of breakout sessions led by campus professionals that focus on leadership fundamentals and how to incorporate such skills into everyday campus involvement
- An opportunity for students to come together, network and learn from one another.
Join Emerging Eagles
Emerging Eagles introduces first-year students and new leaders to leadership opportunities and develops skills that help them contribute positively to the FGCU community.