1. HDF 415 Peer Leading Robert W. Marshall IV Robert_Marshall@my.uri.edu

2. Table Of Contents Strengths Slide 3 Opening StatementSlide 4 Section 1: Self LeadershipSlide 5 Section 2: Leadership TheoriesSlide 6 Section 3: Inclusive LeadershipSlide 7 Section 4: Critical ThinkingSlide 8 Section 5: Interpersonal/Organizational Leadership Slide 9

3. Strengths Signature Strengths: Maximizer Woo Competition Significance Command Values in Action: Humor and Playfulness Citizenship, Teamwork, and Loyalty Capacity to love and be loved Creativity, ingenuity, and originality Curiosity and interest in the world

4. Opening Statement Peer Leader is a title earned, not just given. When I was selected to be a Peer Leader for FLITE students I knew that it came with a great deal of responsibility and commitment. Throughout the semester my perception of what it meant to be a peer leader changed, and my leadership style as a whole was re-molded. I have grown immensely from this experience and now know what it truly means to be a Peer Leader. I will furthermore take the new skills and talents that I have, and apply them in any, and every situation where I may be leading peers in the future. After all, leading peers is not an easy task, but with hard work, dedication, and with the support of my fellow peer leaders and professors I made it through. Thus I have become a better person because of this entire experience.

5. Section 1: Self-Leadership 6. Student will express a personal code of leadership / membership ethics6. Student will express a personal code of leadership / membership ethics Target: HDF 415 Additional Experience: Leadership Institute, President of FIJI, Orientation Leading. My view on Leadership and maintaining proper membership ethics has derived from all of the areas of involvement in my collegiate career. I feel as a leader, and general member of many organizations here it is my duty to do the right thing, even if it isn’t always the popular thing. This also perfectly correlates with being a Peer Leader. Everyday we are expected to live up to a proper code of leadership and self- control. After all we are not only representing ourselves and the organizations we belong to, but we represent the minor. I have noticed through the minor that doing the right thing follows the code of ethical leadership. Leaders don’t obtain respect by cheating the system or going the easy route, or even acting inappropriately. True leaders get respect by trials of there courage to stand up for what is right, and ultimately lead an honest life. I have learned how important it is to not play favorites especially as president of the fraternity, treat everyone fairly. I have also learned how to be professional and lead with respect through my orientation leader training sessions. When in a position of power it is vital that you remember to act in an ethical way. Leaders are always under the microscope and whatever choices we make as leaders people will follow. This is an important life message that I took away from not only my daily life and experience, but also from the minor as a whole.

6. Section 2: Leadership Theory and Models 38. Student will show knowledge of the “Relational Leadership” model by Komives, McMahon & Lucas Target: HDF 190, HDF 415 Additional Experience: FLITE assessment, HDF 415 presentation on Relational Leadership During my Freshman year in FLITE class I thought I had the Relational Leadership Model down just because I got an A on the assessment. This proved that I knew the material, but to fully understand something you must have a connection to it. This is when you truly become knowledgeable about something. I feel deeply connected to this model of leadership now because I see myself using it in my everyday life while in my leadership roles here at the University of Rhode Island. The Model has Five parts. Empowering which is encouraging members to get involved. Purposeful, which is making sure you have a common purpose and goal. Inclusive, understanding and engaging all members of the group. Process-oriented, staying on task and being aware of the work the group is doing. Lastly we have ethical, which is leading with a code of morals and always being honest. I use these aspects in everyday life. The five components have really helped me come into my own as President of my fraternity, as an executive board member of the Student Alumni Association, and as a Peer Leader.

7. Section 3: Inclusive Leadership/Diversity and its application to Leadership 65. Student will describe personal examples of being a change agent Target Class: HDF 415 Additional Experience: Leadership Institute, Orientation Leading A change agent is someone who works as a catalyst towards change. Although I do not by any means consider myself an expert at creating change in the world, I do however believe I make a change and an impact on many lives through the mentoring roles I have been given. During HDF 415 I was asked to be a peer leader. This is one of my favorite type of leadership positions because you can have such a great impact on these you help. I feel as if I have been a change agent for a few students in the class by doing what I do best, encouraging the heart. It does not take much to make a change but if you do it right you can see the difference. By showing up with a good attitude and a smile everyday I feel as if it created a vibe for my small group to want to succeed and the change of attitude from the beginning of the semester to the end was astounding. I also see myself being a change agent when I partake as a Peer Leader at the University of Rhode Islands Leadership Institute. Here I am able to connect on a personnel level and change the students mind set from a nervous high school student, to a confident college freshman ready to take on the role. This is a position I am passionate about because of how great an impact I can have. The same will go for Orientation Leading this summer where I can get students excited for college rather then dreading moving away from home. Being a change agent doesn ’ t always mean you have to save the world, just make a few lives better.

8. Section 4: Critical Thinking 69. Student will show knowledge of principles of critical thinking (logic is used in this minor) Target: HDF 415 Additional Experience: Leadership Institute, Day of Discovery, President of Phi Gamma Delta I have used critical thinking principals in everyday life. At the Leadership institute I applied logic learned from the minor to help me lead the boundary breaking session. Critical thinking was key because you need to adapt to the surroundings and the feelings of the students. I also found this to be true of day of discovery where we also had in depth conversations that I needed to be kept on my toes for. Critical thinking also is key when making important decisions for my fraternity. I need to be aware of the effects the decisions I make will have because they can have deep ramifications which I as a leader have had to learn the hard way. I have also seen in HDF 415 how critical thinking in a small group setting is important for group dynamic. Critical thinking does not only occur in major decisions, it occurs in any decision large or small. Depending on the situation critical thinking can be more key then we realize. I see as a peer leader how important it has been to stress critical thinking to the students so that they can make the right choices and succeed in and out of the class.

9. Section 5: Interpersonal and Organizational Concepts and Skills 109. Student will describe personal examples related to maintaining accountability as a leader. Target: HDF 415 Additional experience: Leadership Institute, Orientation Leading, Chapter President of Phi Gamma Delta I never realized how important it was to be accountable for all you say or do as a leader until Leadership Institute this past summer. Everything you say as a leader is taken into consideration and absorbed by the new students. I also noticed this as a peer leader, I signed an agreement stating that I need to be accountable for my actions and act professionally at all times in and out of the class in front of my students. I signed a similar agreement for this coming summer at orientation. This holds me accountable to act responsibly and follow all university rules, as well as setting a good example for incoming students. Lastly I signed a paper being President of my Fraternity that holds me legally liable for all that goes on inside our chapter house. This is a major wake up call because now I am liable for every single brothers actions. If something goes wrong I could potentially be legally responsible and be in serious trouble. As leaders we see the effects of our actions daily, if this wasn’t enough for me to realize I am accountable all of the agreements I sign keep me liable. I feel it is our moral obligation to live by those agreements because if not we lose all credibility as a leader. I have learned a lot from HDF 415 and if there is one thing I will take away it is that leaders make an impact even when we are not trying to.