
The Student Leadership Institute (SLI) at Rio Hondo College is a non-credit certificate program dedicated to developing students to become effective leaders on campus and within their community. Students who participate will acquire and develop the skills and awareness necessary to become an effective leader in their future career. They learn the value of networking, gain effective communication skills, enhance their confidence, define their leadership style, and engage in learning that augments their academic journey. Students who successfully complete the program in our Emerging Leaders curriculum earn a leadership certificate and acknowledgement by Rio Hondo administration, a very marketable tool on a resume and on transfer applications.
SLI participants are required to attend a series of workshops which will earn them a leadership certificate upon program completion. Participation in SLI is free of charge and open to all RHC students. There are no minimum requirements for units enrolled, grade point average, or prior leadership experience for program participation. Students are required to commit to a full academic year to complete the program. We are only accepting up to 30 students into the leadership program, and students are accepted based on their application. Students who attend a mandatory info session are given priority.
Track 1 Certificate: Emerging Leadership – Fall
Workshops and activities are offered through two (2) mandatory conferences held at a 4 year university. The first conference takes place at a CSU campus and the following month, the 2nd conference takes place at a UC campus. At each conference students will have the opportunity to network at each campus with other transfer students, CSU/UC Student Life and attend a campus tour. The curriculum will focus on emerging leaders workshops like a personality and strengths assessment, conflict resolution, Leadership 101, goal setting, diversity, communication skills and social justice.
Track 1 Continued: Experiential Learning – Spring
In the second half of the academic year commitment, participants will attend a half day conference at Rio Hondo College that will introduce them to their end of program project. This is all completed within the Spring Semester at a participant’s own pace. We finish with a program survey and presentation of end of year project sessions. There is a graduation banquet for students who complete the full academic year in the program.
Schedule of Program
First Conference: One full day conference (8:00 am – 5:00 pm) held on a Friday in early October (date tbd). CSU campus to be determined and breakfast, lunch and transportation to university will be provided.
Second Conference: One full day conference (8:00 am – 5:00 pm) held on a Friday in mid November (date tbd). UC campus to be determined and breakfast, lunch and transportation to university will be provided.

To apply to the Student Leadership Institute
1) First step is to complete the application below.
2) Level 1 applicants must attend a mandatory info session, which takes place the month before the conference. The info sessions will provide information on conference schedules and program details.
Applications currently closed