Coastal Carolina University has initiated a new program called Chant Leaders that will reward students for engaging in leadership activities on campus and in the surrounding community.

"Student leaders at Coastal Carolina University are making an impact both on campus and in the region," says Nick DeStefano, coordinator of leadership and civic engagement at CCU. "We firmly believe that this program will broaden the scope of their impact while informing us, as educators, of even more outstanding work that is being done."

Students will register their participation in leadership activities with CCU's Institute for Leadership and Public Policy (ILPP) and earn points in the system based on their participation level. The points will be rewarded to students who participate in recognized groups and organizations on campus and in the community.

Membership or participation in an organization earns a student one point. By holding a leadership position in that group, the student earns an additional point. Students may register as many activities they have officially participated in over the semester. Students will also be able to accumulate points by attending approved leadership events, which will be published on the ILPP website each month.

This program will track student activities over the fall and spring semesters until the beginning of March. The students who have accumulated the most points over the two semesters will be awarded a six-day trip to Washington, D.C., during spring break. On this trip, students will meet with various South Carolina representatives working in Washington and have the opportunity to tour the nation's capital.

Students may register at the Institute for Leadership and Public Policy located in Brittain Hall, Room 113, or at the Office of Student Life located in the Lib Jackson Student Union, Room 215.

For more information, contact Virginia Norris at 843-349-6952 or email ilpp@coastal.edu.