---
title: How to Become a Student Leader on Campus
description: Learn the academic and emotional qualities of student leaders and discover how to become a leader on your college campus.
image: https://admissions.usf.edu/hubfs/how-to-become-a-student-leader-on-campus-index.jpg
---

[Campus Life](https://admissions.usf.edu/blog/topic/campus-life)

# How to Become a Student Leader on Campus

[By Karina Acevedo](https://admissions.usf.edu/blog/how-to-become-a-student-leader-on-campus#author) | Last Updated: Mar 5, 2025

![Female student leader guiding others students through a meeting.](https://admissions.usf.edu/hubfs/how-to-become-a-student-leader-on-campus-header.jpg "Female student leader guiding others students through a meeting.")

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How to Become a Student Leader on Campus

4:24

One of the most exciting and valuable aspects of the college experience is the opportunity for involvement and leadership on campus. Becoming a student leader adds to the enrichment of your learning experience and to the enrichment of the campus. Some campuses may feel like a small town and others may feel like big cities, but all of them benefit when students get involved and make their voices heard. Everyone has something to contribute, including you! Let’s dive into **how to become a student leader on campus.**

## **What is Student Leadership?**

Student leaders are less worried about fitting in, and more concerned with being authentic and living their lives in ways that reflect their personal values. You are a leader every time you get involved with your campus and strive to make it even better than you found it.

Student leadership exists in the conversations that you engage your friends in, the respect you show to all people on campus, and the manner that you choose to live your life. It also exists in the extracurricular organizations you may choose to get involved in or even start.

![Female student leader leading a campus meeting.](https://admissions.usf.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/how-to-become-a-student-leader-on-campus-inline.jpg?width=740&name=how-to-become-a-student-leader-on-campus-inline.jpg)

## **Leadership Opportunities**

Campus involvement opportunities may include:

- Intramural sports
- Student government
- [Honor societies](https://admissions.usf.edu/blog/what-it-means-to-be-an-honors-college-student)
- Community service organizations
- Cultural organizations
- Residence hall organizations
- [Greek life organizations](https://admissions.usf.edu/blog/what-to-know-before-joining-greek-life)
- Internships
  
   

Your campus may have offices to help you identify leadership opportunities:

- [USF’s Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement](https://www.usf.edu/student-affairs/leadership-civic-engagement/) outlines various initiatives for leadership development, including a certified student leader program, a leadership studies minor, retreats, and workshops. The Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement also explains how to join or start student organizations and even how to [manage your organization remotely](https://www.usf.edu/student-affairs/leadership-civic-engagement/student-organizations/virtual-org-management.aspx).
- The [BullSync](https://usf.campuslabs.com/engage) directory allows you to get connected with any student organization.
  
   

Connecting with offices like these is a quick and easy way to get more involved.

![Students researching ways to become students leaders on their campus.](https://admissions.usf.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/how-to-become-a-student-leader-on-campus-inline-2.jpg?width=730&name=how-to-become-a-student-leader-on-campus-inline-2.jpg)

## **Qualities of Student Leaders**

Student leaders inspire and encourage others on their campus. As a leader, you should:

- Remain curious and questioning.
- Learn from mistakes.
- Ask for help when necessary.
- Delegate tasks.
- Learn how to use everyone on your team to their strengths and motivate them to be their personal best.
- Be kind to others and learn effective communication skills.
- Be passionate about the activities you join and lead.
  
   

## **Developing Emotional Intelligence as a Student Leader**

It is important for leaders to understand both others and themselves.

### **Understanding Others**

Good leaders [read widely](https://corporatetraining.usf.edu/blog/essential-books-to-improve-leadership-skills-this-summer) to understand the human condition. One of my favorite books is [“How to Win Friends and Influence People”](https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+win+friends+and+influence+people&rlz=1C1GCEB_enUS797US797&sxsrf=ALeKk032Gmupa9pwtgggSi6aYwLnSxZc-Q:1593204652615&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjv_v3qraDqAhUln-AKHSQjAxYQ_AUoAXoECB8QAw&biw=1920&bih=1057) by Dale Carnegie. Although the book was originally published in 1936, it still holds many truths that are strikingly relevant today. Students who are interested in leadership would benefit from picking up a copy of this book.

![Female student leader guiding others students through a meeting.](https://admissions.usf.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/how-to-become-a-student-leader-on-campus-index.jpg?width=740&name=how-to-become-a-student-leader-on-campus-index.jpg)

### **Understanding Yourself**

Personality quizzes can help you understand yourself.

- This [personality quiz](https://www.16personalities.com/) by 16Personalities claims to provide a “description of who you are and why you do things the way you do.”
- Gallup administers a [CliftonStrengths assessment](https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/253676/how-cliftonstrengths-works.aspx) that measures and categorizes your talents into 34 CliftonStrengths themes. They also provide in-depth explanations of your strengths and recommendations on how to use them in the classroom or in a work environment.
- [Idealist](https://www.idealist.org/en/careers/quiz-leadership-style) offers a quiz that aligns you with your leadership style and [resources](https://idealistcareers.org/category/in-the-office/management-career-advancement/?_ga=2.217120406.1675788351.1593206342-1565130517.1593206342) to help you hone your leadership skills.
  
   

Student leadership is important in shaping your college experience and impacting your campus. It’s never too soon or too late to jump right in. If you’re ready to stampede with the Bulls and become a student leader, [apply now](https://admissions.usf.edu/application?).

Have questions about the admission process at USF? Our team is standing by to help, either [online](https://hubs.ly/H0bhch90) or by phone at [813-974-3350](tel:813-974-3350).

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[![Karina Acevedo](https://admissions.usf.edu/hubfs/general/graphics/recruiters/karina-acevedo.png)

### About Karina Acevedo

Karina Acevedo, former Digital Recruiter at USF, helps students and families navigate admissions by providing easy-to-understand answers to complex questions.

](https://admissions.usf.edu/blog/author/karina-acevedo)

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### [Next Post** ![](https://admissions.usf.edu/hubfs/blogs/Admit-A-Bull/images/blog-post/040120-how-being-a-volunteer-supports-more-than-the-community/how-being-a-volunteer-supports-more-than-the-community-inline.jpg) How Being a College Volunteer Supports More Than the Community](https://admissions.usf.edu/blog/how-being-a-college-volunteer-supports-more-than-the-community)

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