Leadership Opportunities
Student Ambassador Leadership Program (SALP)
For more than thirty years, the Student Ambassador program has been a premier leadership opportunity for students at Columbus State. Student Ambassadors are paid student employees who promote engagement amongst their peers and represent the college at campus and community events. Each year, approximately 10 -15 Student Ambassadors are hired with the purpose of developing strong leadership skills and supporting campus engagement amongst students, faculty, staff, administrators, and campus guests. Student Ambassadors gain professional development through leadership and career training, resume building opportunities, and establishing a professional network. SALP provides a platform for Student Ambassadors to explore and enhance their own leadership skills and goals while serving the Columbus State community.
Are you the next Student Ambassador? Find out more about SALP and how you can join by:
- Asking a current Student Ambassador around campus
- Checking out the SALP page on CougarConnect
- Contacting the Student Engagement and Inclusion Office
- Emailing studentengagement@cscc.edu
National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS)
The NSLS is the largest leadership honor society in the United States. Our NSLS chapter at Columbus State Community College was started in 2019. Our local chapter is part of the national organization with 700+ chapters and over 1.4 million members. Students are selected based on exemplary academic achievement. As of 2021 we have 768 members who have access to: More than $400,000 in scholarships; An exclusive NSLS job board; A personalized letter of recommendation.
The NSLS leadership program teaches the interpersonal skills that employers seek to give you an edge in the job market. If you become a member, some of the benefits include:
- Learn from exceptional leaders like former President Barack Obama during exclusive Speaker Broadcasts.
- Meet new friends and make lifelong connections (on-campus and virtually).
Overcome challenges with success coaches shortcutting your way to success. - Access to private networking events.
- Members are able to list their affiliation on all statements of personal accomplishment, including their resume.
- Membership is for life and provides access to benefits including scholarships and awards, exclusive on-campus events, employer recruitment through an online job bank, and discounts on computers, textbooks, grad school prep courses, insurance and much more.
- Members will have access to a professional network of like-minded individuals.
- Members will have access to chapters at transfer institutions including, Bowling Green State University, Cleveland State University, Kent State University, Miami University, Ohio Dominican University, Ohio University, Shawnee State University, The Ohio State University, The University of Akron, Tiffin University, University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, Wright State University and many more!
To learn more and if you are eligible to participate in NSLS, visit the NSLS CougarConnect page or email nsls@cscc.edu.
For additional questions, contact the National Office:
Email: help@nsls.org
Phone: 201-222-6544
Website: nsls.org
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK)
Students are invited to join the Columbus State Community College Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) when they have completed 12 credit hours here with a 3.5 cumulative GPA. PTK hosts events on our campus, completes various projects, and conducts academic research to advance our campus community.
For more than 100 years, Phi Theta Kappa (ΦΘΚ) Honor Society has helped millions of high-achieving college students reach their full potential by gaining professional/career experience, refining academic and leadership skills, and participating in community service while having fun and making friends.
Established in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa has a presence on almost 1,300 community college campuses in 11 nations. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges in 1929. More than 3.5 million students have been inducted since 1918, with approximately 250,000 members in community colleges, making Phi Theta Kappa a true catalyst among its members and colleges. Over $2 million in associate degree scholarships and $246 million in 4-year transfer scholarships are available yearly.
The name of Columbus State’s chapter is Alpha Rho Epsilon, and the office is located in Nestor Hall 122A. Feel free to stop in, email phitheta@cscc.edu, or call 614-287-5608 to learn more.
Become a Student Organization Officer
Columbus State has more than 30 student-led organizations founded on shared identities, interests, and fields of study. Student organizations are run by student officers with the support of a faculty or staff advisor and the Student Engagement and Inclusion Office. Officers are able to gain real, hands-on leadership experiences as well as transferable skills that will benefit them beyond their time at Columbus State. Consider joining or creating a student organization and when the time is right, become a leader in that organization by serving as an officer.
To learn more about what student organizations currently exist, visit CougarConnect or email studentengagement@cscc.edu.
Collegiate Leadership Conference of Ohio (CLCO)
Each November, the Student Ambassador Leadership Program host the Collegiate Leadership
Conference of Ohio (CLCO) at the Columbus campus in celebration and recognition of
student leadership development for college students across the state! CLCO provides
students with opportunitites to develop their leadership skills, hear from expert
speakers, engage in hands-on community service experiences, and network with other
students and professionals across Ohio.
CLCO celebrated it's ten year anniversary in November 2019! Over the last 10+ years, more than 1,200 attendees have had the opportunity to participate in this conference and we are honored to celebrate with the people we met, the speakers we have heard, and the experiences we have made through this awesome student created, designed and led initiative. Each year, key areas of focus include developmental leadership, collaboration, communication, holistic wellness, self-efficacy, diversity, and equity.
To learn more about CLCO, visit the conference website here or contact the Office of Student Engagement at studentengagement@cscc.edu. Hope to see you there!
Student Employment
Many students participate in and gain leadership skills by gaining a Student Employment position on campus. As a part of Columbus State's Career Services office, Student Employment is a resource that helps currently enrolled students find part-time employment opportunities on-campus and off-campus through our network of non-profit partners. Some positions are open to all students, while others may require a type of Financial Aid known as Federal Work Study. Applicants must be enrolled in a degree or certificate program at Columbus State Community College.
To learn more about Student Employment positions and how you may develop your leadership skills through working on campus, visit the Career Services website.