Download the PLC Reference Application
What is the Peer Leadership Council?
The Peer Leadership Council is a group of student leaders who are devoted to providing leadership training and programs for the University of Maryland community. The mission of the group is to facilitate programs, which serve to educate and empower students to realize and use their leadership potential, serve as a networking tool and resource for student groups and individuals, and to serve as an outlet for members of the PLC to advance their leadership skills through practical application. PLC membership is the logical next step for active student leaders that have participated in Turtle Camp, Terrapin Leadership Institute (TLI), Maryland Leadership Conference (MLC), or other leadership programs at Maryland. Individuals with other leadership experience are also welcome to apply. PLC functions with all members being valued equally and contributing to the overall goals of the organization. PLC is comprised of a president and committee members that work closely with particular events.
What Does PLC Do?
The following are examples of activities and programs for which PLC is responsible:
Terrapin Leadership Institute (TLI):
Each semester PLC facilitates a 5-6 week workshop series that offers students leadership education through skill development and exposure to a multitude of leadership topics. The goal of TLI is to empower students to reach their leadership potential. We offer new and exciting tracks every semester, from "Women's Leadership" to "TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves More" to "Diversity and Leadership." The track for fall of 2007 was "The Leadership Challenge." Every year TLI reaches over 100 students, ranging from freshmen to graduate students. Committee members in this area organize the overall planning and logistics for each series and serve as the coordinating facilitators for one series each semester, and collaborate to design the content for each session.
Turtle Camp:
Our first-year leadership development program, Turtle Camp, involves between 30 50 first-year and transfer students who participate in weekly sessions to learn more about a variety of leadership topics. This group hears speakers, participates in a variety of campus programs, and design and implement a special project in the spring. Turtle Camp also serves as an orientation to leadership at Maryland and teaches students about the university's history, traditions, and organizational structures for students groups. The Turtle Camp committee members coordinate logistics and content for sessions as well as assist with facilitation and content design.
Leadership Conferences:
Each year the PLC plans and participates in two conference opportunities open to all University of Maryland students: the Maryland Leadership Conference (MLC), a weekend retreat for student leaders in the Fall, and the Mosaic Diversity and Leadership Retreat, a weekend retreat focused on exploring the relationship between diversity and leadership. Together, the conferences reach about 100 students of all majors from first-year to graduate students. Conference committee members in this area plan the overall logistics for both events as well as design the content and facilitation of the program.
Outreach:
All of the members of PLC are asked to serve as consultants to various student organizations, campus departments, and residence halls to give workshops, formal presentations, and adventure training. Outreach allows PLC members to unite the leadership community at UMD by creating bridges to all groups. Outreach also provides additional activities not associated with our other programs, such as outdoor adventure trips for upperclass students, community service opportunities, and co-sponsorship of other leadership related events. Outreach committee members manage tasks associated with planning this diverse array of events as well as assist in the planning process. They are typically assigned to work on programs that most connect with their own interests.
What are we looking for?
Some characteristics of a PLC member include a positive attitude, creativity, experience with facilitation or a desire to learn about facilitation, the ability to work well in groups, flexibility and comfort with change, a sense of adventure and willingness to try new things, the ability to think quickly, organization and time management skills, previous leadership experience, a desire to help others learn, and the ability to commit to being an active member.
Requirements:
A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
A minimum of sophomore status for the academic year 2008-2009
Five hour per week time commitment
Attendance at the PLC retreats held at the beginning of each semester
Attendance at weekly PLC meetings
Attendance at regular programming meetings and one-on-ones
Participation in a PLC training on the afternoon of Sunday, April 27th
Preference is given to students who have participated in previous PLC or UMD
leadership programs
Application Process:
- Complete the application by Monday, March 24th, 2008.
- Attend a group and individual interview from 1pm-4-pm on Sunday, March 30, 2008
- For selected candidates, attend PLC new member training on Sunday, April 27th, 2008
