Student Leadership

ILS offers a range of student leadership opportunities designed to develop critical professional skills and support program development. Through roles such as Peer Mentors, Office Assistants, and members of the Community Leadership Council, students contribute to key initiatives, provide guidance to peers, and help shape the direction of the program. These experiences foster leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills that are essential for future academic and professional success in science and healthcare fields.

Peer Mentor Program

After their first year in ILS, students are highly encouraged to be mentors for the Peer Mentor program, which matches first-year students with experienced ILSers. Mentors are valuable resources for incoming students, and are responsible for communicating with incoming students over the summer to offer advice on everything from course selection to what it’s like living in a residence hall to what to pack! 

Community Leadership Council (CLC)

The Community Leadership Council is a SGA-recognized student organization that plans and executes events for ILSers. CLC is divided into multiple subcommittees, including First Year Experiences, Service, Marketing, and Events, which host community engaging events that represent tenets of ILS. Students are also encouraged to apply for CLC Director positions, where they have the opportunity to work alongside ILS staff and oversee a subcommittee. CLC members are ambassadors for ILS and make their voices heard in the planning process.

ILS Office Assistant (OA)

ILS employs 1-2 undergraduates as ILS Office Assistants (OA) in the La Plata Honors Office. The OA compiles the weekly community-wide listserv that goes directly to student inboxes with relevant content on upcoming events, internship opportunities, scholarship applications, research positions, and interesting seminars. The OA also serves as the student liaison between the professional staff and the students, acts as the Community Leadership Council President, and often supports the Assistant Director with students programming needs.

Peer mentor Leadership Council (PMLC)