The Leadership Experience

Empowering Leaders and Embracing Community

We cultivate a campus-wide community that empowers students to LEAD Forward into their leadership journey through exploration and self-discovery.

Your Leadership Journey Starts Here

The Leadership Experience at Florida Gulf Coast University provides the blueprint for students to explore leadership in a way that aligns with their personal journey. At The Leadership Experience, learning is at the core of every student experience, ensuring that leadership development is intentional, reflective, and practical. Through student-led programs, students build confidence, form strong connections, and develop the skills needed to create a lasting impact.

Photo of The Leadership Experience

LEAD Forward: Where Students Take the Lead

LEAD Forward is designed to guide students through their leadership journey at their own pace. Every experience is rooted in learning, empowering students to explore leadership in ways that are meaningful to them.

The LEAD Forward Commitment: Students will cultivate belonging and ignite their leadership potential to serve and transform communities.

Sense of Belonging
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Students will feel seen, valued, and empowered to lead collaboratively, developing essential skills to build and maintain mutually supportive relationships.

Students will be able to:
1. Articulate how their unique experiences contribute to the strength of the community.
2. Identify strategies to build and sustain collaborative relationships.
3. Demonstrate effective collaboration and communication skills.
4. Analyze the complexities of different viewpoints.
Leadership
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Students will learn leadership theories, frameworks, and practices to develop leadership skills that contribute to personal and professional success.

Students will be able to:
1. Identify leadership theories and frameworks.
2. Develop personalized leadership strategies to strengthen their leadership capacity.
3. Articulate how their leadership style informs their behavior and decision-making.
4. Demonstrate integrity in their leadership practices.
Community Impact
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Students will learn to lead and transform communities by integrating stewardship and coalition building.

Students will be able to:
1. Define principles of stewardship and coalition building.
2. Develop community-based ethical decision-making strategies.
3. Apply principles that drive long-term community well-being.
4. Engage in reflective practices to assess economic, societal, and environmental challenges that impact local and global communities.

Through immersive and consistent experiences, students explore their values, build emotional intelligence, and develop critical thinking skills in a welcoming yet challenging environment, creating a strong foundation for future growth as confident leaders.

Some experiences within the Emerging Leaders tier include Frosh Mosh, Emerging Eagles, and Come Thru Sessions.

In this tier, students develop communication skills and learn how to create strong, supportive communities. Through hands-on experiences, students strengthen their ability to connect with others, build meaningful relationships, and lead with purpose.

Some experiences within the Engaged Communities tier include You Belong Here 365, Leadership Academy, Champions of Change Ambassador Program and the iLEAD Movement.

Where students take their leadership to the next level. Students reflect on their growth, do research to better understand issues important to them, and learn to communicate their ideas clearly. These experiences help students become confident leaders who can solve problems, implement decisions, and create positive change in their communities and beyond.

Some experiences within the Enlightened Stewards tier is Alternative Break, Eagle X, and Presidential Leadership Certificate

GET INVOLVED

Leadership Pulse
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We want to hear from you – the student!

The Leadership Pulse helps us understand student leadership experiences and what support is needed for growth. Your feedback will shape leadership programs, community-building efforts, and opportunities designed to help you thrive. By sharing your insights, you’re helping us create a stronger campus where every student can lead and make an impact.

https://fgcu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4VJyajlI64BaCk6
Eagle X
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The Leadership Experience is proud to host the Leadership Neighborhood within Eagle X, April 22, 2025 in Alico Arena.

Deadline to register is March 14, 2025

Learn more about Eagle X here.

Why Present at Eagle X Leadership Pillar?

The Leadership Experience encourages students to tell the story of their leadership journey. Storytelling is an integral part of community building and inspiring a shared vision.

As a result of presenting at Eagle X, student leaders will:
1. Showcase their ability to lead initiatives and projects, highlighting the importance of leadership as a continual process of growth and adaptability, not just a position.
2. Articulate how their work contributes to the FGCU community and broader society, fostering awareness of the societal implications and transformative potential of their leadership initiatives.
3. Gain practical experience in a professional setting by learning to effectively showcase accomplishments in a public forum, fostering meaningful connections with peers, faculty, and professionals to support future career opportunities.
4. Refine critical thinking and communication skills by presenting complex information in a clear, engaging, and accessible way to diverse audiences.
Presidential Leadership Certificate
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The Presidential Leadership Certificate Program (PLC) recognizes FGCU students for their leadership development journey. The PLC has three stages – Emerging, Engaged, and Enlightened - designed to help students identify and develop leadership skills and opportunities based on past experiences and potential growth. The certificate program is a valuable accomplishment as it honors well-rounded and exceptional leaders who excel in commitment to personal development and positive change.
Frosh Mosh Program
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The Frosh Mosh Experience is your perfect summer introduction to life at FGCU. Over three immersive days, you’ll get to connect with fellow students, understand the core concepts of effective leadership, discover exciting opportunities to enhance your leadership abilities, and start building your community at FGCU. Guided by our enthusiastic Peer Mentors, you’ll explore leadership through engaging activities and thoughtful discussions.

Frosh Mosh Peer Mentors

Looking for a way to become an FGCU student leader? Frosh Mosh Peer Mentors are a group of students trained as peer educators who are comfortable in facilitating topics leadership, teamwork, and community building. The goal of each Frosh Mosh Peer Mentor is to build a relationship with their student mentee group, work towards a smooth transition, and cultivate each of their mentee’s leadership potential. We hire new Frosh Mosh Peer Mentors annually in the months of October/November.

Meet The Leadership Experience Team
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Alexandra Pipitone

Director, The Leadership Experience

Office: Cohen Student Union 152

Phone: 239-590-7836

E-mail:
apipitone@fgcu.edu

Travell 'T.O.' Oakes

Senior Assistant Director, Curriculum & Development, The Leadership Experience

Office: Cohen Student Union 152

Phone: 239-590-1852

E-mail:
toakes@fgcu.edu

Kelsey Campanelli -Rodriquez

Assistant Director, Educational Strategy, The Leadership Experience

Office: Cohen Student Union 152

Phone: 239-590-1857

E-mail: kcampanelli@fgcu.edu

Alejandro Salais

Coordinator, Leadership Engagement, The Leadership Experience

Office: Cohen Student Union 152

Phone: 239-590-7921

E-mail: asalais@fgcu.edu

Eve Olvera

Administrative Specialist II, The Leadership Experience

Office: Cohen Student Union 254

Phone: 239-590-7948

E-mail: eolvera@fgcu.edu

Angelena Rios

Coordinator, Leadership Development, The Leadership Experience

Office: Cohen Student Union 152

Phone: 239-590-7996

E-mail: arios@fgcu.edu

Designed for You | Our Students

The Leadership Experience offers a tiered leadership journey, ensuring that students continuously grow through learning, reflection, and practical application. The three tiers are Emerging Leaders, Engaged Communities, and Enlightened Stewards.

We provide high-impact programs and retreats that address intellectual growth, personal leadership styles, understanding of self, effective communication, community building, and career readiness.

Visit us — we will empower you and give you the confidence to soar as a leader.

Connect. Learn. Grow.

Check out our events on Eagle Link

Contact Details

The Leadership Experience

Cohen Student Union 255

10501 S. FGCU Blvd. S.

Ft. Myers, FL 33965

239-590-7990 | Contact Us

Office Hours
Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.