Arcadia Honors Program Introduces Leadership Development and Teamwork Certificate

Arcadia University's Honors Program launched a new certificate in Leadership Development and Teamwork aimed at enhancing students' career readiness.

To earn the certificate, students must complete the regular Honors curriculum, including the course HN201: The Study of Self and Teams, an Honors Project, and three HN300 courses, with one focused on leadership, as well as two of the following experiences:

• Present at a conference with documentation
• Participate in at least 20 hours of team-oriented service within the Honors Program
• Complete 30 hours of team service in the campus or broader community
• Complete a 50-hour internship
• Engage in at least 20 hours of professional development with the Honors Alumni Mentor Program or other approved activities.

Students must earn at least a B in each course.

"The Honors Students do a deep dive when it comes to leadership and teamwork learning," says Assistant Dean for Honors and Accelerated Programs Helene Klein. "In fact, they probably put in more hours on these skills than many other leadership certifications offered. I wanted to provide them this opportunity to showcase this learning and effort on their resumes in a way that is visible to employers. We all know that AI will scan resumes in just a few seconds; a certification in leadership development and teamwork will allow their experiences to stand out."

A required workshop will teach students how to effectively highlight this credential on their resumes.

"I feel like it's important for Honors to offer a certificate like this because it provides a tangible benefit that can be referenced in a professional setting," explained Chemistry major Isaak Courtright '25, one of the Honors Council presidents. "Many Honors students already do most, if not all, of the requirements but didn't have any way to actually show that experience on a resume or for grad school. With the certificate, students are able to have our experiences and skills more 'professionally' recorded, rather than us just saying 'I have leadership and team skills.'"

This certificate program is available to students starting the Honors Program in their first or second year of a traditional four-year program. Students who enter as juniors or who are on three-year tracks have modified requirements and are not automatically eligible for the certificate unless they complete the specified coursework.

"Being even semi-involved in the extracurriculars and opportunities offered in Honors means you'll likely complete all of the requirements easily," continued Courtright. "I think the certificate is a manageable thing to do on top of a lot of classes/other jobs, but you still have to put effort into it. It's not handed out for 'free,' but it's also reasonable to complete in your time at Arcadia without adding a lot of stress."