The Leadership Academy @ Saunders
The Leadership Academy @ Saunders fosters innovative leadership development opportunities for bridging business and technology, for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students; alumni and employers.
Mission
Leadership Academy @ Saunders fosters innovative leadership for bridging business and technology by providing a multitude of experimental co-curricular opportunities for individuals to develop their personal and professional leadership skills. A variety of leadership experiences are offered to meet the leadership development needs of high school students, RIT undergrad and graduate students, alumni, and working professionals. This leads to a positive impact on the business environment and global community.
Leader Development Competency Model
At Saunders, we believe that leadership development starts with the self, understanding your strengths, weaknesses, goals, and values while developing the critical professional skills necessary for career success. As leaders become more self-aware, they are in a stronger position to lead others. Leadership is a great responsibility that allows you to influence, change, and solve complex problems across diverse organizations, but it requires a commitment to learning new skills and developing a nuanced mindset. Work on the leadership skills that will increase your value and differentiate you from the rest on your path to success!
Leading Self: Foundational Leadership for Career Success
Building skills and knowledge in self-awareness, integrity, and professionalism; empathy, courage, and resilience; critical thinking, self-management, and initiative; effective communication and networking; and personal goal achievement.
Leading Teams: Leading High Performance Teams
Influencing, motivating, and empowering others to positively impact organizational culture and achieve business goals by engaging in creative problem solving, building productive relationships, and developing trust and credibility.
Leading Globally: Leading Change in a Global Environment
Leading across diverse cultures, groups, and organizations to facilitate change and solve complex problems.
Certificate Programs
These free certification programs provide all RIT students across all colleges to build personal leadership skills for co-op and career success in a fun and engaging environment. No matter your field, all students benefit from these co-curricular experiences as they look great on resumes and better prepare students for co-op and job opportunities. Sponsored by the Leadership Academy @ Saunders, these programs are run by Saunders faculty, student leaders, and alumni across various industries.
Business & Technology Skills for Aspiring Leaders Certificate Program
Foundational Leadership for Career Success Certificate Program
Global Leadership Certificate Program
Peer Mentoring Program
The Saunders Peer Mentorship Program assists incoming business students to become acclimated to the Saunders College of Business & RIT’s campus, for a strong and successful start to their college careers. Through our one-on-one Mentor/Mentee Program, the incoming students will learn from their upperclassmen regarding their experiences from Co-op, Study Abroad, and Student Life. The program encourages the incoming business students to build relationships from experienced role models such as their peers, faculty, and alumni, who will encourage and motivate them to achieve their career goals. Mentors and Mentees are expected to meet a minimum of once a month from August - November and attend two program community events for the fall semester.
Who are our Mentors?
Our Mentors are a team of experienced upperclassmen from all different majors at Saunders who act as role models for the incoming business students. They assist them with any questions and concerns the students might have about The Saunders College of Business, student life, clubs, majors, minors, immersions, co-ops, and career paths.
Sign-up to be a Mentor in the Peer Mentorship Program
Who are our Mentees?
Our Mentees are our incoming business students ranging from first years, second years, and transfer students. As a Mentee they will have the opportunity to attend networking events with peers and faculty and to meet with our great alumni community, who were once in their shoes!
Connect with Us
Follow us on Linkedin
If you are interested in our programming, we would love to keep you in the loop on our latest events, networking opportunities, subcommittee involvement, and other opportunities for you to build your personal and professional resume.
Our LinkedIn will have insights for all upcoming and past events that you may have missed. Additionally, there we will detail several leadership and resume building opportunities you may be interested in.
Follow us on Instagram
Our Instagram will have insight for all upcoming and past events, as well as exclusive behind the scenes happenings. There you can directly connect with representative from our student led team regarding any questions you may have about the academy.
Follow us on TikTok
For behind the scenes insights into the Leadership Academy executive team, all events, and member testimonies follow us on TikTok!
LA@S TikTok coming soon in Fall 2026.
Student Executive Comittee
Student Team
