Personal Leadership Badge Program

Knowing that personal leadership is the foundation, we are dedicated to being the catalyst for a bright future. This track is a self-paced online program where students can work to complete badges that cultivate and foster personal growth and development. Students can work at their own pace and have the opportunity to learn from our Guest Servant Leaders. Guest Servant Leaders, or GSLs, are a diverse group of community members, leaders, and achievers who will share their stories and wisdom as the students have the opportunity to earn up to five personal leadership badges. The key principles of the Tressel Institute will be: GRATITUDE, SELFLESSNESS, EXCELLENCE, LOVE, AND HOPE.

Our Curriculum

My Personal Journey is a transformative badge designed to foster curiosity, self-awareness, personal growth, and ethical decision-making. Students will assess their personal skills and abilities, reflect on past experiences, and generate goals to achieve personal growth. Through exploration of various aspects of identity and values, students will develop a coherent self-concept and align their actions with personal values. By embracing personal accountability and ethical reasoning, participants will lay the groundwork for lifelong growth, and achieve the first step of becoming a leader – understanding of oneself.

Key Concepts

  • Developing My Personal Values
  • Strengthening My Support System
  • Learning to Face Adversity
  • Maintaining a Growth Mindset

The My Commitment to All badge encourages students to develop values of selflessness, inclusion, and respect for diversity. Key concepts are introduced through structured activities. Students will be able to practice soft skills like self-reflection, relationship-building, and interpersonal communication. Through community service initiatives, students synthesize these skills into actionable plans for positive social impact.

Key Concepts

  • Practicing Self-awareness and Reflection
  •  Nourishing Relationships with Loved Ones
  • Building Connections with Peers
  • Serving Through Community Engagement

This badge is designed to equip students with the essential skills and competencies needed to enhance their relevant work experience, locate opportunities for growth, and excel in professional environments. The My Career Pathway badge allows students to identify steps of success, develop career opportunities, build a professional network, and practicing lifelong learning. Through a combination of experiential learning activities and self-reflection exercises, students will develop skills necessary for success in diverse organizational contexts.

Key Concepts

  • Developing Career Opportunities
  • Building a Professional Network 
  • Identifying Steps of Success
  • Practicing Lifelong Learning

The My Healthy Habits badge offers students a comprehensive approach to maintaining a healthy lifestyle while navigating busy schedules. Through the introduction of key concepts, participants gain insight into prioritizing physical health and enhancing mental well-being. Students will explore strategies to review their daily health practices, explore ways to enhance their overall well-being, and develop goals to better balance their daily schedules while prioritizing their physical and mental health. Cognitive skills gained while completing the badge, including metacognition and problem solving, will provide students with the tools necessary to lead healthy, balanced lives and excel in all aspects of their well-being.

Key Concepts

  • Improving My Physical Health
  • Prioritizing My Mental Well-being
  • Practicing Time Management

This level 1 badge is designed to help students to create their own Financial Game Plan as they begin their college journey. Students will be able to define each financial key concept, develop strategies for managing finances, and create goals to achieve future financial success. Skills gained from completing the My Financial Game Plan badge will promote critical thinking, organization, and adaptability.

Key Concepts

  • Managing Money
  • Establishing a Budget
  • Understanding Your Credit 
  • Saving Important Documents
  • Investigating Scholarship Opportunities

Hear From One of Our Guest Servant Leaders

Meet All of Our Guest Servant Leaders Here

The Steps to Building Success

Student Testimonial

Name: Olivia Wilcox

Hometown: Mantorville, Minnesota

Degree: MBA Healthcare Management (undergrad business admin/nonprofit leadership)

Fun Fact: I am a senior swimmer on the YSU swim team and love hiking (especially 14ers 🙂

Hi! My name is Olivia Wilcox. I am a senior and captain on the YSU swim team. I am originally from Mantorville, Minnesota and have an undergrad degree in business administration with a minor in nonprofit leadership. Currently, I am a graduate student working towards my MBA in healthcare management. Through TILT I have been able to reflect on my own leadership skills and also look more in depth on my own goals in life. The badges really made me think about areas of my life that I haven’t really reflected on before! Being able to serve students all over campus and help lead them in their own goals has been an amazing experience.

Student Testimonial

Name: Della Toliver

Hometown: Youngstown, Ohio

Degree: Nursing

Fun Fact: I love music, dance, learning about other cultures, and history

My Name is Della Toliver. I am from Youngstown, Ohio and I am a Nursing Major. I absolutely love working with the Tressel Institute. I learned how to work with others in the most effective way, program development at the university level, and now have a greater appreciation for extra-curricular programs offered at Youngstown State University. Working with the program has allowed me to develop professionally and spark new creative interests.