Mizzou Leadership Institute

This panel brings together accomplished leaders to discuss the skills that matter most in today’s evolving workplaces. Panelists share how their leadership perspectives have developed over time, what they wish they had known earlier in their careers, and insights on leveraging involvement, collaboration, and relationships to strengthen leadership growth. The discussion offers practical guidance for navigating professional pathways with confidence and adaptability.

This workshop introduces participants to strategic thinking through Simon Sinek’s concept of The Infinite Game. It begins with an 8-minute video segment that outlines how leaders and organizations use this mindset to guide long-term priorities.

The session then walks through the core elements of an organizational strategic plan, stakeholder feedback, SWOT analysis, mission, vision, values, and both short- and long-term goals, highlighting how an infinite-game perspective can shape each component.

This session invites participants to reflect on what drives their engagement and to rediscover the motivations that fuel their leadership. It encourages intentional self-exploration and helps individuals consider how to channel their energy toward becoming the best version of themselves. The workshop emphasizes purpose, clarity, and personal growth.

This session highlights the transferable skills individuals develop throughout their undergraduate experience and shows how those skills can be applied in future job or internship opportunities. Participants will learn how to identify, articulate, and leverage these strengths as they prepare for the next steps in their career journey.

This session explores the concept of personal branding and the importance of shaping it intentionally. A personal brand extends beyond a résumé or social media presence—it reflects the value an individual brings and the message they convey to others. Participants examine both internal and external perceptions of their brand and develop a personal brand statement that highlights purpose, positioning, and personality. The session concludes with practical strategies for communicating and demonstrating one’s brand with authenticity, integrity, and consistency.

This session focuses on fostering a sense of belonging among organizational peers. It explores how individuals define belonging, what they hope to gain from their engagement, and how they envision contributing as a resource to others. The workshop emphasizes connection, community building, and shared support in group settings.

This workshop introduces participants to strategic thinking through Simon Sinek’s concept of The Infinite Game. It begins with an 8-minute video segment that outlines how leaders and organizations use this mindset to guide long-term priorities.

The session then walks through the core elements of an organizational strategic plan, stakeholder feedback, SWOT analysis, mission, vision, values, and both short- and long-term goals, highlighting how an infinite-game perspective can shape each component.

This session highlights the transferable skills individuals develop throughout their undergraduate experience and shows how those skills can be applied in future job or internship opportunities. Participants will learn how to identify, articulate, and leverage these strengths as they prepare for the next steps in their career journey.

This session will cover:

What transferable skills are and why they matter

Common skills gained through classes, leadership, work, and involvement

How to describe skills effectively in interviews and résumés

Strategies for recognizing and building additional strengths

Strengths in Action: Maximizing Your Unique Talents is a dynamic 60-minute keynote designed to help Mizzou student leaders discover, articulate, and amplify their unique strengths. Through fast-paced, interactive activities and a high-energy delivery, Dr. Erin Wilson helps participants connect their everyday actions to their leadership potential.

Students will learn how to identify what makes them effective, communicate their value with confidence, and apply their strengths intentionally across academics, service, and future careers.

Each year, the Writing Center’s 70-person team meets with Mizzou writers over 12,000 times, and their secret to great communication starts with improv.

In this engaging session, you’ll learn the same “status” techniques tutors use to read cues, adapt their communication, and build stronger connections. These skills stick with students long after college and are exactly what employers look for in effective leaders.

Student leaders are often the first people peers turn to when navigating difficulties. This interactive workshop provides practical strategies for offering compassionate, appropriate support, recognizing when to involve professional resources, and communicating referrals in a caring and empowering way. The session emphasizes connection, confidence, and skill-building that translates to future leadership roles and careers.

This session helps students translate their leadership experiences into professional strengths. Participants will identify key skills gained through involvement, connect their campus leadership roles to real-world expectations, and practice articulating their growth in résumés, interviews, and networking conversations.

This session provides a brief introduction to the NASPA Certified Peer Educator Training, offering participants a crash course in its core concepts and a sample of the skills developed through the program.

It highlights foundational peer education practices and the competencies that support effective leadership and engagement.

Participants will use the time interactively to pick their most important personal values. Discussion will be encouraged throughout.

At the end of the session we will have picked our favorite/most important values individually as well as a group, and will discuss how their values impact their personal decisions as well as their leadership decisions/style.

This interactive session examines the connection between gratitude and effective leadership. Participants explore how gratitude strengthens teams, supports positive organizational culture, and contributes to engagement and retention.

Through guided activities and discussion, the session highlights intentional recognition practices and ways to integrate gratitude into leadership approaches to enhance collaboration and motivation.

This session provides a brief introduction to the NASPA Certified Peer Educator Training, offering participants a crash course in its core concepts and a sample of the skills developed through the program.

It highlights foundational peer education practices and the competencies that support effective leadership and engagement.

This workshop features a tailored presentation and interactive activity focused on how feedback functions in professional environments. Participants will explore effective strategies for giving different types of feedback and reflect on the approaches they prefer when receiving it.

The session is designed to build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and support healthier feedback practices within leadership roles.