Welcome to Flight Academy, Eastern Washington University’s three-tiered leadership development program.
This program recognizes the leadership experiences you are already involved in and helps you grow intentionally as a leader throughout your time on campus.
Flight Academy includes three levels of leadership development:
- Emerging Leader (Foundational Engagement)
- Rising Leader (Active Learners)
- Soaring Leader (Advanced Leadership & Impact)
Each level builds on the previous one, reflecting increased engagement, responsibility, and measurable impact.
Emerging Leader
Foundational Engagement
Overview
The Emerging Leader level focuses on participation and exploration. You build leadership awareness by engaging in campus and community experiences.
This level is hours-based, meaning your participation is tracked by the number of hours you complete.
Participation Requirements
Leadership opportunities are grouped into five categories:
- Self-Awareness & Personal Growth
Understanding your values, strengths, and leadership style - Collaboration & Communication
Teamwork, active listening, and inclusive leadership - Critical Thinking & Ethical Decision Making
Problem-solving and ethical leadership - Civic Engagement & Social Responsibility
Service-learning and community leadership - Vision & Strategic Impact
Event planning, risk management, and organizational leadership
Recommended Completion
- 20 hours per category
- 100 total hours per academic year
Flexibility may occur depending on available offerings.
Incentives
- 🏅 Category Badge – Earned after completing 20 hours in a single category
- 🏅 Emerging Leader Badge – Earned after completing 100 hours in one academic year.
Your Responsibilities
To ensure your hours are counted:
- Register for events in EagleSync
- Attend and complete the full event
- Sign in or verify attendance as required
- Monitor your progress throughout the year
Rising Leader
Active Learners
Overview
The Rising Leader level is for students who go beyond participation and demonstrate consistent engagement, initiative, and applied learning.
This level uses a points-based system, reflecting the depth of your leadership involvement.
Points Structure
Each leadership activity is assigned a point value (1–5) based on:
- Depth of engagement
- Leadership responsibility
- Application of learning
- Mentorship involvement
- Sustained impact
Requirement
- Average 20 points per quarter
Consistency matters more than one-time involvement.
Incentive
🎓 Certificate of Leadership Achievement
Certificates are awarded annually during the Student Leadership Excellence Awards.
Engagement Expectations
To earn Rising Leader status, you should:
- Participate in second-year or higher and/or advanced leadership programs
- Engage consistently in advanced training
- Apply leadership learning in campus activities
- Demonstrate initiative and mentorship
- Show visible campus-wide impact
Your Responsibilities
- Track your point totals each quarter
- Participate consistently throughout the year
- Ensure leadership roles are properly documented
- Complete any required confirmations or mentor verifications
Soaring Leader
Advanced Leadership & Impact
Overview
Soaring Leaders do more than participate — they lead, initiate, and create measurable impact on campus and in the community.
This level uses a formal rubric-based evaluation system and includes structured verification.
Evaluation Criteria
Your leadership experiences will be evaluated based on:
1. Event Leadership
- Initiating and leading projects
- Planning and organizing events
- Creating new leadership opportunities
2. Event Impact on Campus & Community
- Demonstrated measurable positive impact
- Community benefit
- Recognized contributions
3. Executive Leadership Roles
- Holding executive offices
- Influencing policies or initiatives
- High-responsibility leadership positions
4. Engagement in Advanced Training
- Completing advanced leadership training
- Applying training to leadership roles
Medal Eligibility
To qualify for the Soaring Leader distinction, you must:
- Demonstrate substantial and sustained leadership engagement
- Show strength across multiple leadership categories
- Provide measurable evidence of campus and community impact
Incentive
🏅 Leadership Medal (worn at graduation)
This represents the highest level of leadership achievement in Flight Academy. Those achieving this level are considered EWU’s Soaring Leaders.
📊 Summary of Incentives
| Level | Engagement Model | Requirement | Incentive |
| Emerging Leader | Hours-Based | 100 hours/year | Badge |
| Rising Leader | Points-Based | Avg. 20 pts/quarter | Certificate |
| Soaring Leader | Rubric-Based | Substantial multi-category impact | Graduation Medal |
🎯 Why Participate?
Flight Academy is designed to:
- Encourage progressive leadership development
- Recognize meaningful engagement
- Promote applied leadership learning
- Elevate campus and community impact
- Help you articulate leadership skills for resumes, interviews, and graduate school
💡 Tips for Success
- Start tracking hours early in the academic year
- Diversify your experiences across categories
- Seek mentorship opportunities
- Reflect on how you apply leadership learning
- Think long-term about your leadership impact
Flight Academy is not about adding extra work — it’s about recognizing the leadership you are already demonstrating and helping you grow intentionally.
For questions about participation, tracking, or level requirements, contact Chrystal Woodard in Student Engagement.
