Georgetown Opportunities For Leadership Development (Gold)

GOLD fosters a community in which new and current Hoyas explore leadership and gain skills used to affect positive social change in their communities. We fulfill this mission through two signature programs, the Leadership and Beyond pre-orientation program (L&B) and the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP), and through on-campus programming throughout the semester. L&B is a student-led mentorship program that introduces 40 new Hoyas to the Hilltop, through the lens of leadership. The program focuses on how leadership can be viewed and practiced here at Georgetown and after your college experience. Students will explore leadership through a variety of activities that are rooted in the Social Change Leadership Model. Along with trained upper-class mentors, Georgetown faculty, staff and community members shape the student experience in a variety of ways during the program. Whether it’s a campus tour, conversation, service project, story share, or leadership session, they are committed to the success of our new Hoyas. ELP is a student-led mentorship program that provides a unique opportunity for new Hoyas to jumpstart their involvement on the Hilltop in a thoughtful way. It is designed for students to explore leadership at Georgetown University, in Washington, DC, and in a larger context. Participants are grouped into ‘families’ of four and guided by a student mentor, who provides a space for authentic interaction. Mentors set weekly family gatherings for participants to connect with each other and engage. Participants can expect family dinners at Leo’s, group ventures to museums, an overnight retreat, service opportunities, and weekly time to explore leadership models—all led by experienced and involved student mentors, university staff, and faculty. Our community consists of campus leaders that serve as a unique network for our participants. For most members of our community, being in GOLD represents a significant and cherished part of their time at Georgetown.