Student Affairs Leadership

The development of student leaders is a comprehensive process at Franklin Pierce University. Students gain and enhance leadership skills through active participation within the campus community. Student leaders are challenged and supported by professional staff members and peers to make the most of their experience. There are numerous avenues for students interested in making a positive impact.

Leadership Philosophy within the Division of Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs embraces an inclusive model of leadership in an effort to enhance student learning and facilitate positive social change. The purpose is to cast the concept of leadership as an inclusive process by which change occurs for the betterment of others. In this model, leadership is viewed as a process rather than a position. The values of equity, social justice, self-knowledge, personal empowerment, collaboration, citizenship, and service are explicitly promoted.  “Inclusive Leadership” is based on a commitment to dignity, civility, equality, democracy and transformation of people.  

It is the ability of a person to work with others and requires strengths and abilities not normally associated with the patriarchal version of leadership.  Inclusive Leadership is comprised of:


  • The capacity for nurturing others and bringing out their best talents,
  • The ability to mediate conflict,
  • The quality to both express empathy and compassion for others and to educate them about the importance of these feelings,
  • The talent for encouraging different viewpoints while upholding one’s own core values and principles.


At Franklin Pierce, leadership is part of the social process,
something that happens between people. It occurs in every day
settings, balancing involvement and personal aspirations. Students are encouraged to find experiences on the campus that will help develop their own leadership style.


Student Affairs Leadership Opportunities

Emergency Medical Technician
Members of the EMS Squad (EMS) are nationally certified volunteer students that provide appropriate medical care for the campus community. Students are on call 24 hours a day, and assigned regular duty shifts. Volunteers render aid to any student in need, from routine or referral services up to management of life threatening situations. The squad is supervised by the Director of Health Services. They are trained to follow protocols from the State of New Hampshire.


Peer Leader (PL)
By leading first year students through orientation and assisting a professor in IC101, Peer Leaders communicate the importance of service. Training begins in the spring while developing the content for Orientation Welcome Week. In September, PL’s play an integral role in coordinating and executing Orientation events, which are designed for fun and community building activities as freshmen begin a new life here at Franklin Pierce. They model to their individual groups how to learn from and listen to others, as well as how to live and act responsibly in the midst of a world of new choices. They provide opportunities for first year students to connect with each other, the campus and the surrounding area. Candidates must be in good social standing and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 to be eligible.

Community Assistant (CA)
Community Assistants play an integral part in the residential experience of our students. They assist in the transition to college and the overall growth of the student by providing social, developmental and educational programs. Besides building a residential community, each CA serves as a role model for his/her residents. Candidates must be in good social standing and have a minimum GPA and cumulative GPA of 2.5 to be eligible.

Student Government Association (SGA)
The Franklin Pierce University Student Government Association is made up of dedicated student representatives working to make positive change for the student body. As student representatives, members of the SGA are concerned with issues and the policies that affect the campus community. In addition to being an advocate for the student body, the SGA also funds the programs, speakers, conferences and trips put on by recognized clubs and classes which enrich campus life and the Franklin Pierce experience. Membership size is approximately 60 students and meets weekly.

Pierce Activities Council (PAC)
The Pierce Activities Council is dedicated to providing, planning, and coordinating various social and educational activities for the community. Membership to PAC is open to all current students on the Rindge Campus. Some of the events that PAC puts together include: comedians, concerts, bus trips, guest speakers, special events, Frankie P Fridays and more.