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!

Leader Development Competency Model​

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

 Leading High Performance Teams Certificate Program

 Leading Change in a Global Environment 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!

Sign-up to be a Mentee in the Peer Mentorship Program

Meet the Team

Leadership

Rich DeJordy
Department Chair
585-475-6185

 

Executive Director

Terri Monsees
Program Manager, Accred, Assessment and Leadership Academy
585-475-7561

 

Program Manager

Student Executive Comittee 

Maggie Birmingham Headshot
Maggie Birmingham
Marketing and Global Business Management
Director Peer Mentorship
Alexandria Borkowski Headshot
Alexandria Borkowski
Hospitality and Tourism Management
Chair, Women's Leadership Summit
Spencer Dennis Headshot
Spencer Dennis
Finance and Accounting
Director of Outreach and Partnerships
Elizabeth Robertson Headshot
Elizabeth Robertson
Marketing
Director of Marketing 
Brian Yan Headshot
Brian Yan
Accounting and Finance
Chief Operations Officer
Christopher Zglejc Headshot
Christopher Zglejc
Finance and Management Information Systems
Chief Academy Officer

Student Team

Paul Guadagna Headshot
Paul Guadagna
Accounting and Statistics
Certificate Program, Peer Mentorship Teams
Andrew Maust Headshot
Andrew Maust
Finance and Management Information Systems
Felix-Nadine Herweg Headshot
Felix-Nadine Herweg
Global Business Management and Management Information Systems
Certificate Program, Social Media Teams
Dionysis Poniros Headshot
Dionysis Poniros
Finance and Management Information Systems
Peer Mentorship
Josh VanNostrand Headshot
Josh VanNostrand
Management Information Systems
Certificate Program, Peer Mentorship Teams
Zevez Zalay Headshot
Zevez Zalay
Finance and Marketing