College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

CALS Leadership Institute (CALS LI)

CALS Leadership Institute is a unique leadership development program for undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Students are selected through a nomination and interview process based on demonstrated leadership attributes and academic achievement.

CALS Leadership Institute Applications for Cohort 15 are now open!

Over the course of 17 months (3 semesters), students will engage in leadership modules, an international travel experience, and are paired with a mentor. This leadership experience prepares students for positions in business, communications, science, natural resources and pre-professional studies.

Contact

Dr. Natalie Coers
Lecturer of Global Agricultural Leadership Development
CALS Leadership Institute / Global Leadership and Change Certificate
352-273-3586

CALS Leadership Institute Highlights

Leadership and Organizational Development

Students participate in three, 2-credit-hour leadership courses specifically designed around the 14 leadership modules of the CALS Leadership Institute. Several personal leadership assessment tools are utilized in the courses to enhance personal understanding of leadership strengths and personality.

Leadership Competencies
Intentional focus is placed on developing the following leadership competencies during the program:
- Self-Awareness
- Self-Management
- Team Development
- Communication Skills
- Ethical Practices
- Systems Thinking
- Leading Change
- Program & Project Management
- Community Building
- Mentoring
- Emotional Intelligence
- Intercultural Competence

Mentoring Program

Each student in the CALS Leadership Institute is paired with a mentor to help guide the process of professional development and preparation for transition to a career or professional school. Mentors are alumni or friends of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

Guest Speakers

Students have opportunities to meet other professionals in their field. CALS LI invites leaders in the community and industries of the agricultural and life sciences to share their experiences and advice with the CALS LI students.

Service Experiences

Throughout the program, various opportunities will be offered for CALS LI students to serve the Gainesville community, as well as others during the international component of the program.

International Service and Learning Experience

An important aspect of CALS LI is international leadership; a 10-day capstone international travel experience is a key component of the program. This experience helps students understand the global aspect of Agricultural and Life Sciences and allows them an opportunity to better understand other countries and cultures through personal experience.

Current and Past CALS LI Cohorts

CALS Leadership Institute Cohort XV

Ashley Alex, Biology
Ben Barber, Food and Resource Economics
Drew Blanton, Food and Resource Economics
Peyton Chandley, Agricultural Education and Communication
Warren Cornell, Food and Resource Economics
Caroline Eggers, Biology
Lana Guzman, Agricultural Education and Communication
Hailey Jones, Agricultural Education and Communication
Abigail Sallings, Nutritional Sciences
Caroline Moore, Agricultural Education and Communication

CALS Leadership Institute Cohort XIV

Jamie Beach, Entomology and Nematology
Maegan Beatty, Agricultural Education and Communication
Robbie Belcher, Animal Sciences
Christian Bentrovato, Food and Resource Economics
Taylor Casine, Biology
Megan Edge, Agricultural Education and Communication
Jillian Johnston, Biological Engineering
Bailee Lawrence, Agricultural Education and Communication
Laney Mulhollen, Natural Resource Conservation
Calista Neal, Nutritional Sciences
Laura Park, Agricultural Education and Communication
Emma Putnam, Agricultural Education and Communication
Morgan Raper, Agricultural Education and Communication
Adam Sistrunk, Nutritional Sciences
Megan Steele, Biology
Giovanni Tonello Diogo, Agricultural Operations Management
Nicole Zubowicz, Food and Resource Economics

CALS Leadership Institute Cohort XIII

Aurora Amesbury, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Nick Blumenthal, Nutritional Sciences
Clayton Bush, Family, Youth and Community Sciences
Lily Cope, Animal Sciences
Haley Felton, Agricultural Education and Communication
Brianna Garcia, Microbiology and Cell Science
Hannah Hosay, Microbiology and Cell Science
Brent Long, Food and Resource Economics
Elanie Mason, Agricultural Education and Communication
Ellie Morris, Food Science
Lorrany Oliveira, Microbiology and Cell Science
Aubrey Pearce, Animal Sciences
Tylre Potter, Agricultural Education and Communication
Cody Ramsey, Food and Resource Economics
Audyn Woodington, Agricultural Education and Communication

CALS Leadership Institute Cohort XII

Meredith Anderson, Marine Sciences
Payton Bogert, Biology
Shea Booster, Agricultural Education and Communication
Lindsey Brinkley, Microbiology and Cell Science
Cordelia Collinson, Environmental Management in Agriculture and Natural Resources
Madison Dvorak, Food and Resource Economics & Family, Youth and Community Sciences
Sarah Garavaglia, Environmental Science
Gabrielle Gorwitz, Nutritional Sciences
Hannah Henry, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Quinlyn Johnson, Agricultural Education and Communication
Caroline Pride, Environmental Management in Agriculture and Natural Resources
Andrew Priest, Agricultural Operations Management
Elizabeth Putnam, Agricultural Education and Communication
Molly Sankey, Nutritional Sciences
Gabe Smoak, Jr., Food and Resource Economics
Mitchell Stevenson, Environmental Science