Mission of the O'Daniel Leadership Academy
Many people think that they need to be elected in order to become a leader, assuming that leadership involves a formal leadership role.  This idea is simply not true.  We all have within us the ability to be a leader, and many people are, without realizing it.

The O'Daniel Leadership Academy has been created to challenge and empower USI students to become aware of their leadership skills and abilities and help them feel more confident in their ability to lead others and effect change.  The Academy provides students with programs designed to build leadership skills such as communication, critical thinking, self confidence, motivation, conflict management, goal setting, working in teams, and self-assessment.

Currently students can be involved in the O'Daniel Leadership Academy in three ways: conferences, speakers, and awards.

Conferences
The O'Daniel Leadership Academy sponsors two different conferences for students.  The Fall Leadership Conference is open to all students and focuses on developing a student's leadership skills and leadership in student organizations.  The Corporate Leadership Conference is sponsored by a local Evansville business to educate students entering that career field about leadership practices that will be helpful in the student's life after college.

Speakers

Twice each year, the O'Daniel Leadership Academy brings nationally renowned speakers to USI to educate students on specific leadership topics.  The Fall Lecture Series highlights a different speaker to campus each year to encourage students to expand their minds on their beliefs.  Leadership USI is an interactive program that focuses on specific topics in communication and leading others.

Awards

Each spring semester, the O'Daniel Leadership Academy recognizes USI's strongest student leaders during the Leadership Awards Banquet.  Students can apply or nominate others for individual awards, student organization awards, Greek awards, or leadership scholarships.  

Apply for a Student Leadership Award or scholarship. Nominate
your outstanding student organization for awards as well.