Stepping Up: Civic Leadership is a collaborative service-learning program offered through a partnership between the Lamar University Reaud Honors College and the Southeast Texas Nonprofit Development Center. Designed to connect high-achieving students with local nonprofit organizations, this program provides a meaningful, hands-on leadership experience that bridges academic learning with real-world community impact.

Since its launch in 2017, Stepping Up has equipped students with the opportunity to serve as non-voting members of nonprofit boards, offering a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective on organizational leadership and governance. Through this immersive experience, students build professional skills while contributing to the mission-driven work of organizations across Southeast Texas.

Program highlights include:

• Board Service Experience: Serve alongside nonprofit leaders as a non-voting board member during the academic year
• Leadership Development: Gain practical skills in governance, strategic thinking, and organizational leadership
• Professional Networking: Build relationships with nonprofit executives, board members, and community stakeholders
• Community Engagement: Play an active role in supporting initiatives that strengthen the local community
• Reflective Learning: Document experiences and growth through guided ePortfolio journal entries

This program begins each spring with a required workshop that introduces students to nonprofit board roles, responsibilities, and professional presentation skills. Following the workshop, students participate in a networking mixer designed to thoughtfully match them with nonprofit partners, ensuring a strong fit for a rewarding year of civic involvement.

Stepping Up: Civic Leadership empowers the next generation of leaders to make a lasting impact – both in their careers and in the communities they serve.