About The Program

Former BGSU President Sidney A. Ribeau (1995-2008) had a vision for the University—

sidney ribeau to prepare BGSU students to lead with integrity and make meaningful contributions to society during their student years and in their professions and communities as alumni. In 1997, Dr. Ribeau's vision became a reality with the establishment of the President's Leadership Academy (PLA). In the fall of 1998, the first cohort of students committed to developing their leadership skills were selected for the PLA. In the spring of 2009, the University’s Board of Trustees honored the former president’s initiative by renaming the program the Sidney A. Ribeau President’s Leadership Academy.

Today, PLA scholars from various disciplines and geographic locations strive to uphold Dr. Ribeau's vision. The PLA curriculum is designed to cultivate their leadership skills through engaging classes, workshops, experiential learning, and community service activities. The curriculum follows a structured approach, with each year's experiences building upon those of the previous year to achieve specific targeted outcomes.

Additionally, the Sidney A. Ribeau President’s Leadership Academy serves as a platform for personal growth and support. It offers numerous opportunities for students to broaden their horizons and learn not only about leadership but also about culture, interpersonal connections, and self-discovery. The academy encourages its students to take on leadership roles across campus, enabling them to share their experiences and cultivate life-long learning skills with other emerging campus leaders.

The Sidney A. Ribeau President’s Leadership Academy Program embraces the theory of servant-leadership, a practical philosophy that emphasizes serving others first and then leading as a means of expanding service to individuals and institutions. Servant-leadership fosters collaboration, trust, foresight, active listening, and the ethical use of power and empowerment. Servant-leaders can be inclusive and may or may not hold formal leadership positions.

The PLA enrolls approximately 15-30 new students annually, resulting in a total of 100-120 students matriculating per year. Awardees of the program receive a renewable scholarship that covers up to the cost of in-state instructional (tuition) and general fees.

The mission of the Sidney A. Ribeau President's Leadership Academy at BGSU is:

The Sidney A. Ribeau President’s Leadership Academy (PLA) provides a comprehensive leadership curriculum grounded in the ideals of servant leadership. Through the development of a community of scholars, students are empowered to grow and develop as they seize opportunities and maximize their academic success while at Bowling Green State University.

History

In 1998, former BGSU president, Dr. Sidney A. Ribeau created the President’s Leadership Academy for BGSU students committed to developing leadership. In 2009, the University’s Board of Trustees honored the former President’s initiative by renaming the program the Sidney A. Ribeau President’s Leadership Academy (PLA).

The PLA is a four-year leadership development program that engages scholars in classes, workshops, and experiential learning and community service activities. The curriculum focuses on specific outcomes, with each year’s experience building on those of the previous year.

Integrity

Integrity is defined as leadership that is authentic, genuine, true and honest. Scholars will demonstrate ethical and moral behavior that is personally and professionally congruent.

Service

Service is defined as a selfless devotion to making a positive impact across the globe. Scholars will demonstrate service through concern, charity and action geared toward the well-being of others.

Credibility

Credibility is defined as responsible and accountable behavior through the practice of professional leadership skills.

Learning

Learning is defined as intrapersonal and interpersonal development that results in the effective application of leadership skills, multicultural competence, creative thinking and problem-solving, and overall academic success.

Vision

The Sidney A. Ribeau President’s Leadership Academy (PLA) at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) strives to graduate passionate leaders with the skills necessary to make a difference in their communities and the world.

Mission

To celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of the PLA, a task force of scholars was assembled to design a concept for a new insignia. These scholars consisted of Yarin Mercer (2019 Cohort), Olivia Thorton (2020 Cohort), Lelaina Yannelli (2021 Cohort), Jacob Irelan (2021 Cohort), and Tahlia Ray (2022 Cohort). These scholars asked current scholars and staff for input on the new insignia design. The Office of Marketing and Brand Strategy then executed a design using the concepts created by the scholars mentioned.

The latest insignia pays homage to its predecessors while incorporating distinctive elements that reflect the program today. Twenty-five years later, the PLA continues to be a leading force of positive change on and off campus. In the insignia you can see a compass, symbolizing as a guide for scholars across campus and beyond. Additionally, it serves as a reminder that the PLA community, or "PLAmily," will offer unwavering support wherever our paths may lead. As the PLA culture continues to be one of care, the future of the program has never been brighter, while still remaining committed to upholding the program's initial values and traditions.

Second Insignia of the PLA

The original PLA insignia, created by the inaugural cohort, no longer met the marketing guidelines of the university and an updated insignia that met the university guidelines was required. In fall 2011, current PLA scholars were invited to create an updated PLA insignia. Five scholars volunteered to take part in this group to update the insignia. These scholars were: Danielle Dodd (2005 Cohort), Lauren Purdy (2009 Cohort), Victoria Recker (2009 Cohort), David Walters (2010 Cohort), and Kyle Jacob (2011 Cohort). During the process of redesigning the insignia, this committee sought input and guidance from current PLA scholars and PLA alumni.

The Sidney A. Ribeau President's Leadership Academy insignia was collaboratively designed by PLA scholars to reflect the values and vision of the organization as a whole. The three spires pay homage to the original PLA insignia of a compass, while creating new symbolic representation of a rising sun, representing the role of leadership in the past, present, and future. The year of establishment, resting on the laurels of two crossed falcon feathers, pays tribute to the history of PLA as an organization of Bowling Green State University, and our mascot, the falcon. The insignia is then collectively encircled by the four core values of PLA; integrity, service, credibility, and learning. As scholars in the Sidney A. Ribeau President's Leadership Academy these core values encompass everything we do in our role as leaders on campus and in the world at large.

First Insignia of the PLA

The first insignia of the Sidney A. Ribeau President's Leadership Academy was developed by the inaugural cohort. It was a symbolic expression of the program's values, philosophy, mission and vision. The compass utilized brown and orange, the official colors of Bowling Green State University. Within the circle was the foundation on which the Academy is built: the PLA Leadership Values and the Core Values of Bowling Green State University. The directional arrows (North, South, East and West) denoted that, through the involvement of PLA scholars, the leadership qualities emphasized throughout the President's Leadership Academy experience diffuse in all directions-- on campus, in the Bowling Green community and in society at large.

Updated: 01/25/2024 12:51PM