Developing Competencies & Skills
At Texas A&M, leadership is not just about holding a position, it’s about building the skills, confidence, and mindset to succeed in every setting. DMS helps Aggies Level Up by providing intentional opportunities to grow as leaders, collaborators, and problem-solvers.
Through workshops, coaching, courses, and credentials, Level Up helps students strengthen skills that employers value and life demands: communication, teamwork, resilience, professionalism, and critical thinking. Each experience is designed to prepare students not only for leadership on campus, but also for life beyond Aggieland.
DMS Skill Development initiatives are rooted in the belief that every student has the capacity to grow as both a leader and a team member. These programs help students:
- Enhance life and career skills.
- Strengthen effectiveness in communication and teamwork.
- Learn to navigate challenges with integrity, resilience, and purpose.
- Gain confidence articulating their experiences in internships, interviews, and future careers.
This focus supports the DMS mission to develop students’ capacities to work productively and collaboratively and aligns with Texas A&M’s commitment to preparing graduates who are ready to serve and lead. DMS efforts include:
Level-Up to Lead (L2L) Initiative
The L2L Initiative offers a dynamic, student-centered pathway to leadership development through three key formats:
- L2L Summits – conference-style events held each fall and spring, where students engage in high-impact workshops, network with peers, and explore leadership themes in depth.
- L2L Coaching – one-on-one conversations with staff that help students reflect, set goals, and develop personalized leadership strategies.
- L2L Workshops – interactive, hour-long sessions offered throughout the year across four levels of learning, from self-awareness to integrity, resilience, and collaboration
- L2L Journeys – a digital badge that verifies completion of a structured journey that combines learning and reflection.
Every engagement in the L2L Initiative builds confidence and helps students translate leadership skills into action — whether in organizations, classrooms, or future workplaces.
CLUES (Cultural Leadership Understanding & Exploration for Scholars)
CLUES is a credit-bearing course and learning community that gives students an in-depth opportunity to explore leadership through their lived experiences and values. By combining classroom learning, coaching, and peer dialogue, CLUES helps students strengthen their self-awareness, interpersonal effectiveness, and leadership capacity.
Students consistently describe CLUES as “transformative”; helping them discover that leadership is not about titles, but about building authentic relationships, listening, and acting with purpose.
Students who participate in skills development programs report:
- Stronger communication and teamwork skills.
- Improved confidence in their leadership abilities.
- Growth in resilience, integrity, and problem-solving.
- A clearer sense of purpose and ability to articulate their skills to future employers.
Our work contributes to Aggies being ready to serve, lead, and thrive in college, in their careers, and in their communities.
