The Center for Leadership & Volunteerism is an integral part of the Office of Student Engagement and is dedicated to fostering experiential learning opportunities that enhance the Missouri State University public affairs mission. We develop students who are active citizens of enhanced character, sensitive to the needs of community, competent and committed in their ability to contribute to a global society, and civil in their habits of thought, speech, and action.
Leadership Programs
Commerce Bank Emerging Leaders
The Commerce Bank Emerging Leaders program is targeted for freshman & sophomores in the spring semester. It is only 5 weeks with an overnight retreat at a low/high ropes course. Applications are available in November on the OSE website. About 60 students are selected annually.
Distinction in Public Affairs
The Distinction in Public Affairs program is targeted to sophomores and juniors who are interested in learning more about the public affairs mission and how to apply it to being a leader. It is a yearlong program that will start at the end of September. Applications are available on the OSE website and the first 75 students who register will be selected.
Centennial Leaders Scholarship/Leadership Program
The Centennial Leader Scholarship/Leadership program is for freshman and sophomores who were selected in their senior year of high school for the program. They participate in leadership development activities and a community project.
Volunteer Programs
Bear Service Days
Get involved with our Bear Service Days and participate in any of our bi-weekly service projects that are open to the entire campus. You can get involved with local Springfield agencies, get to know other students and spend just a couple hours giving back to the community. Typical service projects are held on Saturday mornings.
Immersion Programs
Spend your Fall or Spring Break doing service, learning about a social issue, and immersing yourself in a new community. We have over 4 different immersion trips to choose from, from staying in Springfield and understanding direct trade through a chocolate factory to a week in Chicago learning about hunger and homelessness and working with programs that train homeless workers.
Find your place in Springfield
We can match you with a local Springfield agency for service on your own time or you can join the Community Change Leaders where you will be matched with an agency and learn what it means to create social change in the community and how to be an ethical leader.
