Service Leadership Seminar

Since 2002 when the Service Leadership Seminar was founded, almost 1,000 students have found it to be a place where friendship and meaningful service leader education come together to create an unforgettable experience. The week before fall move-in, SLS will invite 49 applicants to join that community. 

What to Expect

Over the first four days of the seminar participants will explore general service, environmental & animal/non-human service, domestic human service, and international (locally-based) human service. On each day, campus presentations and workshops will be incorporated to assist with predicting and connecting on-campus experiences with community engagement. On the fifth day participants will make meaning of their time with the seminar by presenting out how they plan to further develop their service leadership passions.

Your Role

As you apply to be a participant, it is important you understand what being a participant means. For participation in the Service Leadership Seminar to be rewarding, it requires commitment and dedication. In addition to daily service and reflection, you will also be required to challenge preconceived notions about the way in which we engage in and perform service. SLS refers to its attendees as participants, in recognition of their role in co-creating a meaningful seminar. Participants must participate. We also acknowledge that SLS is one method of moving in to campus early, but participants who have used this as their primary motivation for involvement in the past have not had as fulfilling experiences as those who wanted to learn about how to grow their service leadership identity, capacity, and efficacy.

Hear what Service Leadership Seminar is all about by watching this video:

What’s Included

SLS participants will receive all seminar materials free of charge. If you are living in on-campus University Housing, you will be allowed to move into your permanent housing assignment early to attend SLS. The Center for Leadership & Service will also provide transportation to all Service Leadership Seminar programs and service experiences that take place throughout the week. 

Participants can plan for most of their meals to be provided during the seminar. However, there may be some options for self-purchased meals at local dining establishments as part of the seminar schedule.  Expected out-of-pocket costs for the week are approximated at less than $25 for an individual participant.

Apply

Applications for participation in the 2024 Service Leadership Seminar are now closed. The seminar will take place Aug. 19-23. Applications will reopen by fall of next year. Email Liz Iaconis at eiaconis@fsu.edu with questions. 

Facilitate SLS

SLS facilitators directly assist participants by empowering them to reflect upon and create positive, sustainable change. We are looking to create a group of individuals who can offer their own unique sets of abilities to our team. Facilitators are assigned to a small group of SLS participants who they will regularly interact with during SLS week, engaging their group in reflection and dialogue on the curriculum and experience of Service Leadership Seminar. The facilitators serve as an example of leadership and service throughout SLS. The length of commitment is January 2024-September 2024, with the seminar taking place Saturday, Aug. 17 - Friday, Aug. 24, 2024.

Note: It is not mandatory for facilitators to be in Tallahassee over the summer. There will be in-person facilitator trainings on FSU's campus throughout the spring semester, but during summer, facilitators will only be expected to maintain open communication via email and other group channels and to meet virtually as necessary.

Applications are now closed and typically open up towards the end of the fall semester.

Coordinate SLS

SLS coordinators are responsible for working with center staff to plan trainings, curriculum, service, workshops, and logistics related to the SLS experience, and in this process, they are trusted to lead and serve. We are looking for individuals who can offer their own unique sets of abilities but will work well in a team. The length of commitment is January 2024 - September 2024, with the seminar taking place Saturday, Aug. 17 - Friday, Aug. 24, 2024.

Note: It is mandatory for coordinators to be in Tallahassee over the summer. There will be in-person trainings on FSU's campus throughout the spring semester, and during summer, you will be expected to be part of the SLS planning and execution process by working regular hours in-person with center staff. This is a great opportunity for an internship experience for both graduate and undergraduate students.

Applications are now closed and typically open up towards the end of the fall semester.

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