Student Engagement, Empowerment, and Development (SEED)
SEED is a free, hybrid co-curricular leadership certificate series designed to help Carolina students explore leadership as a process of positive social change. Rooted in the Social Change Model of Leadership Development, SEED provides students with opportunities to develop self-awareness, strengthen their capacity to work with others, and create meaningful impact in their communities. Through a combination of self-paced Canvas modules, reflective activities, and experiential learning opportunities, students will build practical leadership skills that extend beyond the classroom.
SEED Values
Discover What Matters Most
Leadership begins with understanding who you are and what guides your decisions. The SEED Values Certificate helps students explore their personal values, leadership identity, and sense of purpose. Through reflection, self-assessments, and interactive learning experiences, participants will examine how their beliefs influence their actions and how values-driven leadership can contribute to positive social change.
Students will:
- Identify and articulate their personal values.
- Explore the relationship between values, identity, and leadership.
- Examine ethical decision-making through a leadership lens.
- Develop a personal leadership philosophy.
- Reflect on how values influence relationships, communities, and social change.
Learning Outcome:
Students will gain greater self-awareness and develop a foundation for authentic, purpose-driven leadership.
Self-Enrollment starts here: https://uncch.instructure.com/enroll/8E9PPL
SEED Strengths
Lead with What You Naturally Do Best
The SEED Strengths Certificate empowers students to understand and intentionally apply their unique talents through the CliftonStrengths® framework. After completing the Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment, students will explore their Top 5 strengths and learn how to leverage them in academic, personal, and leadership settings.
Rather than focusing on weaknesses, this certificate encourages students to maximize their natural talents, build confidence, and develop strategies for working effectively with others.
Students will:
- Understand the CliftonStrengths philosophy and talent themes.
- Explore how their Top 5 strengths shape their leadership approach.
- Identify opportunities to apply strengths in teams, organizations, and communities.
- Recognize how strengths contribute to collaboration and group success.
- Create an action plan for strengths-based leadership development.
Learning Outcome:
Students will develop the ability to intentionally use their strengths to lead, collaborate, and achieve goals while appreciating the strengths of others.
Self-Enrollment starts here: https://uncch.instructure.com/enroll/TH4HCG
SEED Ethical Service
Preparing, Practicing, and Reflecting on Service
This module is where the work of engaging communities ethically and effectively begins. This online certificate goes beyond the classroom — building practical skills, deepening your impact and offering opportunities for reflection. It’s an immersive experience designed to help you grow as a whole person, not just as a student.
Prepare
Students will build a foundation for ethical community engagement by exploring topics such as:
- Community needs and asset-based approaches.
- Cultural humility and self-awareness.
- Power, privilege, and responsibility in service.
- Ethical decision-making in community settings.
Practice
Students will apply their learning through a service experience with a campus or community organization where they can:
- Engage directly with community partners.
- Practice leadership through service.
- Demonstrate professionalism, empathy, and accountability.
- Connect service experiences to leadership concepts.
Reflect
Students will critically examine their experiences through guided reflection activities that encourage them to:
- Evaluate personal growth and learning.
- Consider the impact of service on communities and stakeholders.
- Explore civic responsibility and long-term engagement.
- Identify how service informs their future leadership practices
Learning Outcome:
Students will develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to engage in ethical, community-centered service and become socially responsible leaders.
Self-Enrollment starts here: https://uncch.instructure.com/enroll/HCB6WC
Program Structure
Students may complete one certificate independently or pursue all three certificates as part of the full SEED Leadership Development Series.
| Certificate | Focus Area |
| SEED Values | Understanding personal values, identity, and purpose |
| SEED Strengths | Leveraging CliftonStrengths® Top 5 talents for leadership and collaboration |
| SEED Ethical Service Program Structure | Preparing for, engaging in, and reflecting on ethical community service |
Students may complete one certificate independently or pursue all three certificates as part of the full SEED Leadership Development Series.
Upon successful completion of each certificate, students will earn a digital badge recognizing their achievement and commitment to leadership development.