My.Northwood.Edu

EXCEL Program

To Do Is To EXCEL

Strong academic courses are one thing. But, to fully succeed at our mission of developing the future leaders of a global, free-enterprise society, our business students engage outside of the academic environment. Creating a fully rounded model employee takes solid classes, but it also takes engagement. Northwood University offers students the opportunity to EXCEL.

The EXCEL program offers involved students the opportunity to build a Student Development Transcript of extracurricular involvement. Involvement includes volunteering in the local community, helping at food banks, visiting nursing care facilities, taking in a play, enjoying the arts, or being involved and holding positions in campus organizations. The campus offers EXCEL opportunities throughout the academic year and helps our students realize how important involvement is to professional growth.

The professional growth includes meeting people in the industry or building a network of peers before graduation. These are important; and in business, involvement is essential to developing strong leadership potential.

What do I need to do to EXCEL?

You need to be ready to discover! Discover the campus and community, you need to be ready to reach beyond your comfort level, and embrace trying new things. You will build your EXCEL transcript, perhaps more important, you will develop great friendships and create future opportunities. You can find information through the EXCEL director in the Butler Building, Suite 102. Most definitely, you will want to keep up with the campus FYIs through my.northwood.edu. All of the events will be publicly announced to maximize your opportunities to become involved.

Things We Do To Help You Grow

Leadership & Professional Development

A classroom education is one thing; however, developing a whole person is another. You have the opportunity to achieve success not only with a great GPA, but by introducing your self to a plethora of leadership and professional development opportunities. Start early! Business professions seek strong candidates. Through workshops, conferences, seminars, and by serving in a campus leadership positions, you can earn EXCEL credit by attending or joining an organization related to business. If you're not sure, check with the EXCEL director and he/she will let you know if the activity can be awarded EXCEL credit. Here are some general criteria we follow for approved EXCEL credit.

  • Recognized and approved campus organization.
  • Leader must participate in at least 95% of the organization's programming.
  • Must hold the position for designated appointment term (generally one academic year).
  • Professional growth opportunities must provide substance and value related to business.

Suggested Menu of Awards/Honors

  • Academic Awards
  • Athletic Awards
  • Civic Awards
  • Dean's List
  • Honors Convocation Awards
  • President's List
  • Scholarships
  • Services Awards
  • Who's Who Among U.S. Colleges & Universities

Student Organizations and Activities

Get involved. Beyond keeping you active, it often helps alleviate becoming homesick. Be ready to be busy. Student organizations are a great way to keep your mind active. Plus, even if it seems "social" you are really building strong interpersonal and teamwork skills. Approved organizations include a varsity athletic team, professional organization, or community-based organization. Here are some general criteria we follow for approved EXCEL credit.

  • The organization must have a faculty or staff advisor.
  • Maintain membership for a minimum of one term.
  • Participate in at least 75% of the scheduled meetings and activities for the organization.

Activity Examples

  • Head, lead, or be part of the governing body of any club or organization.
  • Represent Northwood University by giving informational presentations on Northwood's behalf.
  • Coordinator of a major event or activity.
  • Varsity athletic team captain.
  • Participation in parades: Martin Luther King Jr. in Dallas or Country Day on the Hill in Cedar Hill.
  • Seminar and conference attendance
  • Mentoring and tutoring

Volunteer & Community Service

Students are encouraged to assist the campus and local community in a variety of service projects.

Activity Examples

  • Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up
  • Blood Drives
  • Bryan's House - children with AIDS
  • Cedar Hill Food Pantry
  • Cedar Hill Trash Off - community trash pick up
  • Church involvement
  • Earth Day
  • Education - tutoring for hospitals, area schools, or adult literacy
  • Educational Development - designed and ran by students
  • Food for Families
  • Fundraiser Walks - March of Dimes, Race for the Cure, Light the Night
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • School Supply Drives
  • Visit Nursing Homes

Campus & Community Arts

Northwood values the relationship between business and the arts. Participation in cultural and fine art events on and off campus are encouraged. Activities related to the arts include music, drama, dance, art, photography, and poetry. Northwood publicizes events through my.northwood.edu in the calendar and through FYIs. These opportunities as well equal EXCEL credit. For more information about approved arts opportunities, always consult the arts director.

Suggested Activities

  • Campus Exhibits
  • Classes in pottery, drawing, painting, dancing
  • Concerts
  • Coffee House
  • Contests (campus & community)
  • Dallas Museum of Art
  • Dallas Theater Center
  • Dance Workshops
  • Fashion Shows
  • Fort Worth Museum (The Kimball)
  • Gallery Openings
  • Internships for Art Related Activities
  • Plays
  • Sanity Inn

Contact Information

Northwood University-Texas Campus
Butler Building, Suite 102
1114 West FM 1382
Cedar Hill, TX 75104
Phone: 972.293.5401

Abby Babbitt
Director of Leadership and Character Development
Phone: 972.293.5401