From applicants to leaders: A look at Leadership Day at USU Eastern
Processed with VSCO with kk1 preset
The Utah State University Eastern campus welcomed both familiar and new faces to the Jennifer Leavitt Student Center on March 19 and March 20 as students gathered for Leadership Day, an event designed to identify and develop the next generation of student leaders. Students attended one of the two available interview days, with participants split fairly evenly between the two days.
Incoming and current students spent the day interviewing for six leadership groups: Aggies Elevated Peer Mentors, USU Ambassadors, Outdoor Recreation Leaders, A-Team Mentors, Resident Advisors, and the Student Association, also known as USUSA. Each role offers students a chance to get involved, build leadership skills, and shape campus life, while also receiving compensation.
Unlike a traditional interview, Leadership Day is designed so that the entire day serves as the evaluation. Members of the leadership committee observed how students communicated, collaborated, and carried themselves in both structured and casual settings. Regardless of which group students were most interested in, all participants took part in every activity, creating a shared experience for all applicants.
Four main activities, each led by a different leadership group, gave students the opportunity to demonstrate a range of skills. Candidates participated in an elevator speech activity, planned by the Ambassador team, delivering short speeches on randomly assigned topics in front of their peers. USUSA facilitated a group challenge where students worked together to plan events for Welcome Week. Resident Advisor activities included a deserted island survival scenario, where groups collaborated to decide what items were most essential. The A-Team Mentors led a hands- on activity where students built towers out of spaghetti noodles, testing creativity, teamwork, and problem solving.
Between activities and interviews, the day also offered space for connection and relaxation. Students were served orange chicken for lunch, and they signed up for individual interview times with the groups they were most interested in. In the Nexus, students could paint plates and mugs, play games like pool, ping pong, air hockey, and basketball, or unwind in the massage chairs, which quickly became a favorite.
Students selected for Leadership Day had already completed a competitive application process. Applicants submitted a 200-word essay, two recommendation contacts, and a four-page portfolio through the online application, which was due March 6. Those selected were notified by email and invited to attend the in person interview event on either March 19 or March 20, with applicants split between the two days. Final selections for all positions will be announced by April 10.
Each leadership group offers unique responsibilities, requirements, and compensation. Aggies Elevated Peer Mentors work one-on-one with students to support personal, academic, and employment goals, offering up to $4,356 yearly as an hourly position. USU Ambassadors, who focus on leadership and recruitment, receive full tuition and fees for up to four years, valued at more than $25,000, and must maintain a 3.5 GPA. Outdoor Recreation Leaders provide outdoor experiences for students and earn $1,300 per semester while maintaining a 2.5 GPA.
A-Team Mentors guide students throughout their college experience and can earn up to $3,740 yearly, along with a monthly communication allowance and additional summer opportunities, while maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Resident Advisors serve in a nine-month, live-in role focused on building community in campus housing, receiving housing, a meal plan, and a stipend, while maintaining a 2.75 GPA. USUSA members represent student voices across areas such as diversity, service, public relations, athletics, traditions, and event coordination, earning up to $4,400 yearly while maintaining a 2.5 GPA.
Leadership opportunities at USU Eastern are open to all students, regardless of prior experience. As Kevin Hurst, Director of Student Services at Eastern, emphasizes, students do not need titles or positions to be leaders; they simply need the desire to better themselves and those around them. With roles ranging from mentoring and event planning to recreation leadership and student government, there is truly something for everyone who wants to get involved and make an impact.
For many students, Leadership Day was more than just an interview. It was a full day of connection, creativity, and collaboration, and for some, the first step toward shaping the future of campus life.
