Leadership Opportunities

Leadership Development

The mission of the Leadership Development Area in SOLE is to educate, equip, and empower students to lead and serve the nation and the world.

We believe that leadership can be learned and aim to provide students with a variety of inclusive, accessible, and intentional opportunities to develop their leadership philosophy and skills. We use leadership theories, models, and approaches that help students better understand themselves, others, communities, and contexts so that they can lead mindfully, equitably, and responsibly.

We seek to develop in each MIT student the ability and passion to lead wisely, creatively, and effectively for the betterment of humankind.

Learning Outcomes

Students who participate in a SOLE Leadership Development Program will be able to…

  1. Develop a better understanding of their leadership style (personality, strengths, beliefs, values)
  2. Develop a better understanding of how to use their leadership style to set and achieve goals
  3. Reflect on and assess their experiences to understand how they can make effective decisions in the future
  4. Value understanding the conditions and perspectives of others to act with empathy and inclusivity
  5. Value the perspectives and contributions of others
  6. Understand the importance of forming considerate, productive, and mutually beneficial relationships with others
  7. Demonstrate personal and social responsibility and the pursuit of positive personal and social change

Signature Programs

SOLE has three signature leadership programs: the Experiential Trips Program, the Rising Leader Program, and the Leadership Capstone Program. These programs are offered annually and all MIT undergraduate students are welcome and encouraged to apply (Please note, the Rising Leader Program and Leadership Capstone Program are limited to specific class years). The Experiential Trips Program offers one trip during the fall semester and one trip during the spring semester, the Rising Leader Program takes place during the fall semester, and the Leadership Capstone Program takes place during the spring semester.

The Experiential Trips Program

The Experiential Trips Program offers three-day, out-of-state trips designed to provide students with an opportunity to meaningfully engage with other MIT students, staff, and alumni around specific leadership topics or issues.

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The Rising Leader Program

The Rising Leader Program is a semester-long program designed to educate sophomore and junior students about a variety of leadership theories, models, and frameworks, empower them in developing their personal leadership philosophies, and equip them with a network of other driven student leaders at MIT.

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The Leadership Capstone Program

The Leadership Capstone Program is a semester-long program designed to equip undergraduate students in their final semester at MIT with the mindset and skillset necessary for them to succeed in their leadership experiences post-graduation.

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Special Events

Periodically, SOLE will host special leadership development-focused events. Below is a catalog of SOLE's special events.

March 1, 2023 | 7:00pm

Leadership Speaker: Drew Dudley

Drew Dudley is an internationally acclaimed leadership speaker, Wall Street Journal bestselling author, and the creator of the renowned TED talk “Everyday Leadership (The Lollipop Moment).”

Wong Auditorium (E51-115)

April 4, 2023 | 7:00pm

Leadership Speaker: T.J. Sullivan

TJ Sullivan is a top-selling speaker, blogger, and author of Motivating the Middle: Fighting Apathy in College Student Organizations who has spoken to more than 3 million college students.

10-250