EXCELS Leadership Program

The Excellence in Leadership and Service (EXCELS) program is designed to develop leadership skills and a commitment to community service among Honors Program students.
EXCELS is offered as a special section of the Gateways course taken by all freshmen. During the program, freshman Honors students undertake a “service learning project” coordinated through the University’s volunteer center. Through self-directed action and teamwork, students learn how to develop leadership skills that can be applied during college and in their careers.

Inventing strategies and envisioning goals, students have engaged in such activities as recycling on campus, tutoring elementary children, creating a “buddies” program with the developmentally disabled, and developing a plan for campus energy conservation.

Although EXCELS begins in the spring semester, Honors students can also participate in the ELITE Leadership Development program offered by the Student Activities Office in the fall.