Richmond Leadership Academy – Student Affairs

Are you looking for a way to gain skills for employment while earning awards to complement your degree? Look no further! The Richmond Leadership Academy offers 3 levels of awards to suit students who are new to higher education, those in the middle of their degrees and final year students nearing graduation. We are also offering students the opportunity to earn awards related to sustainable goals and global citizenship.

The Bronze Award: Campus Contributor
As a new student on campus, what contributions will you make to our University community? How will you engage with campus life? Join our seminars, evaluate your skills, volunteer in the community and carve out your place at Richmond.

Take our Skills Audit
Join a student club/society or represent other students through the SGA
Explore career pathways using our online work simulation platform, Forage
Attend a minimum of 2 seminars related to careers and employability
Evaluate your relationship with sustainable living
Reflect on your journey from start to finish

The Silver Award: Community Member
Community members work to make their environment a better place for everyone. How can you help to improve the community? Join our student leadership team, represent your peers and gain some valuable skills and insights.

Develop industry-specific skills through our online work simulation platform, Forage
Engage in a minimum of 8 hours of voluntary service or work experience
Take on a leadership role in Richmond clubs & societies or work with SGA, be a mentor, tutor, RA/RD or ambassador
Attend a minimum of 4 seminars related to careers and employability and network with industry experts
Commit to our sustainability challenge
Reflect on your journey from start to finish

The Gold Award: Citizen
As a citizen, you will look to the wider community and your industry sector to action change that makes a difference to the people in your community. Gain work experience, intern and problem solve.

Enhance your skills with further training simulations offered through Forage
Engage in a minimum of 15 hours of voluntary service or work experience or internship
Lead a club or society, take on an executive role in the SGA, be a lead mentor, tutor, resident director or lead ambassador
Attend a minimum of 5 employer-led events on Handshake or in person
Explore and take part in a sustainable activity in your community
Reflect on your journey from start to finish

NEW for Fall 2025: Richmond’s Sustainability Awards

Richmond is committed to teaching and learning related to sustainable practices and decision-making. Sustainability is a key component of all of our business courses at the University and of our campus environment in which we are careful to ensure environmental, social and governance practices and economic decision-making that reflect sustainability. Will you take our sustainability challenge and earn awards for your achievement?

We have developed some learning guides through the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network to help your work through this challenge. The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) operates under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General, mobilizing the world’s largest knowledge network to drive action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Established in 2012 by the former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, and world-renowned economist and professor, Jeffrey Sachs, the SDSN promotes integrated approaches to sustainable development through education, research, policy analysis, and global cooperation.

The SDSN works at the intersection of science, policy, and development practice, maximizing SDG achievements across global, regional, national, and local levels. In partnership with UN agencies, multilateral financing institutions, governments, academia, civil society, and the private sector, the SDSN develops science-based pathways for SDG implementation, promotes independent monitoring and accountability for sustainable development progress, identifies persisting gaps and priorities through feedback loops to adapt long-term SDG strategies, and facilitates peer-to-peer learning, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of best practices.

Sustainable Goals
This award will encourage you to become more aware of how your can develop sustainable practices to enhance your community, environment and career. Follow the course to learn more about what you can do personally to make changes to your every day life.

Join the SDG Academy Course
Choose 2 videos from the SDG Academy list and learn about sustainable practices
Reflect on what you’ve learned and what changes you can make to your lifestyle to improve sustainability

Sustainability and Global Citizenship
This course will support you in becoming a global citizen in a sustainable world. The course is being offered by the Ban Ki-moon Centre. The Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens’ mission is to foster leadership for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement by inspiring current leaders and empowering young changemakers. Working with governments, civil society, academia, and international organisations we have so far reached more than 2,5 Mil. people around the world. Located in Vienna, Austria, we were founded by Co-chairs Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the UN, and Heinz Fischer, the 11th President of the Republic of Austria.

Join the GCed Online Network
Chosse 2 further videos from the SDG Academy list and learn about sustainable practices
Reflect on what you’ve learned and what changes you can make to your community more sustainable

Join the Richmond Leadership Academy via the Journeys tab on Handshake or contact us at [email protected] with questions.