Three student-athletes receive Leader of Distinction award

The StFX Leadership Academy recently wrapped its second year, culminating in a year-end celebratory breakfast where participants received leadership certificates and pins for their work completed over the 2013-14 academic year. Three student-athletes also received Leader of Distinction awards.

A comprehensive leadership training and development for StFX student-athletes, the StFX Leadership Academy is affiliated with the Janssen Sports Leadership Center and is the only university in Canada to provide comprehensive leadership development programs for student-athletes.
 
Director of the StFX Leadership Academy Leo MacPherson comments, “I think one of universities' biggest challenges is to develop leaders who will make a positive difference in the world. We are certainly doing our part to address the challenge. When people in this country think of leadership development in university athletics, they now think of StFX University.”

The Director of Athletics and Recreation established the StFX Leadership Academy in 2012 with the mission to create an elite leadership development program that will have a profound impact on StFX student-athletes both as individuals and as team leaders. The StFX Leadership Academy strives to challenge, develop and support StFX student-athletes in their quest to become world-class leaders in athletics, academics, and life.
 
Co-facilitator of StFX Leadership Academy Dr. Angie Kolen, a professor in the Human Kinetics department, states, “It was delightful to take time to acknowledge the student-athletes in their quest to become leaders in athletics, academics and life.”

MacPherson and Kolen have guided the leadership development programming of numerous student-athletes in three primary areas of focus based on student-athletes’ classification along with their readiness to assume leadership roles. The groups include the following:

Emerging Leaders:  designed for a select group of high potential second and third year student-athletes. On occasion first year student-athletes may be a part of this group as well. Through a number of ongoing workshops and interactive exercises, the Emerging Leaders program provides a strong leadership by example foundation for student-athletes to develop into effective leaders.

Veteran Leaders:  designed for team captains and veteran student-athletes appointed by their head coaches in consultation with the Director of Athletics & Recreation. The program assists student-athletes in developing the skills and knowledge essential to be an effective and vocal leader as they navigate the ongoing challenges and responsibilities of team leadership. The program also provides a connection with a strong group of varsity leaders providing a network to lean on and learn from.        

Leadership 360:  designed for senior leaders who have successfully completed both Emerging and Veteran Leaders programs. Leadership 360 focuses on applying leadership skills to positively impact the team, athletic department, campus and community at large. A significant component of the Leadership 360 program is for each leader to undergo a 360 degree evaluation of their leadership skills.  Leaders compare their self-ratings with anonymous evaluations from teammates and coaches to clearly see their leadership strengths and areas for improvement. The leaders then create a comprehensive and customized Leadership Development Plan to build upon their strengths and target their areas for improvement.

This year marked the first time that ‘Leader of Distinction Awards’ were handed out. This award is the highest honour bestowed by the StFX Leadership Academy following a rigorous evaluation process. These student-athletes have earned the utmost respect from their teammates, coaches and themselves. The 2013-14 recipients of the Leader of Distinction Awards were Melissa Hardy from the X-Women cross country and track & field team, Murdock MacLellan from X-Men hockey and Jenna Downey from the X-Women hockey team.

The Leadership 360 participants are as follows:

Members of the Veteran Leaders program included:

The Emerging Leaders program consisted of: