The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) combines a student-led campus chapter with structured leadership coursework, national programming, and support. Students are nominated and choose whether to enroll; completing the program earns induction.
- No institutional fee
- Your campus provides an advisor and recognition. See the funding model.
- 10–20 advisor hours
- Per semester, with student leadership and national support. Review responsibilities.
- $95 student enrollment
- Paid once by students who choose to join. See the fee and access questions.
What members complete
Orientation, a two-hour Leadership Training Day, three Speaker Broadcasts, three Success Networking Team meetings, and induction. The journey takes around ten hours, typically in one semester. View the full program.
| Your campus advisor | Student leaders | The NSLS |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor campus recognition and oversee the student board. | Lead chapter activities and peer participation. | Provide curriculum, platform, marketing materials, and advisor and board training. |
| Coordinate with the campus calendar and national support team. | Help members move through the program and organize chapter events. | Provide speaker broadcasts and ongoing chapter support. |
| Review program assessments and connect them to campus goals. | Share progress and participation needs with the advisor. | Facilitate annual program assessments. |
The published advisor commitment is 10–20 hours per semester. Confirm launch responsibilities and transition arrangements for your campus. Explore the advisor role.
Access and recognition
The $95 enrollment fee includes Foundations of Leadership and lifetime membership. Advanced and Executive coursework and regalia are optional purchases. The NSLS FAQ directs students with financial need to local chapter leaders to discuss possible resources or deadline extensions; assistance is not guaranteed.
The NSLS is accredited by Cognia. ACE and NCCRS credit recommendations do not guarantee credit: acceptance varies by institution. Read the credential details.
Read campus evidence in context
81%
Delgado Community College
Semester-to-semester retention among students who earned NSLS induction.
Reported by the NSLS for inducted students; not a causal estimate.
Read the source and context for Delgado Community College95%
Merrimack College
Reported retention among students who joined the NSLS.
Reported by the NSLS for its members; not a causal estimate.
Read the source and context for Merrimack CollegeSelected results reported for individual campuses. Results vary by campus, and these are not typical or expected outcomes.
Plan the launch together
- Campus recognition: confirm the approval path and committee dates with your institution.
- Advisor and board: identify who has capacity, clarify responsibilities, and discuss transitions with the NSLS.
- Student access: agree nomination criteria, delivery mode, and what local financial support is available.
- Program calendar: align orientation, coursework, and induction with the academic term.
- Assessment: agree what participation and completion measures you need and who will review them.
Launch timing depends on your campus. Review the phases and dependencies.
Questions for the first conversation
- Which students would we invite, and which format will fit their schedules?
- What additional work does launch require beyond ongoing advising?
- Can we review an annual assessment example and its definitions?
- What information can the chapter provide, and what campus data would be needed to measure retention?
- Who supports a change in advisor or student leadership?
Sources: the NSLS FAQ (student fee, optional coursework, financial-access guidance, and program journey, checked September 2026); advisor responsibilities and sources; institutional funding model. Campus outcomes link to their definitions and source notes.