Students at Madison College have the opportunity to join the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), an accredited honor society focused on leadership development and personal growth.  

NSLS operates at more than 250 colleges nationwide and is recognized in the U.S. and abroad. Unlike traditional service-focused honor societies, NSLS emphasizes skill-building and leadership outcomes. The Madison College chapter was established in 2016 and continues to expand, with 1,698 chapter members as of this year.  

“The NSLS is a fully accredited honor society recognized within the U.S. and abroad,” said Cole Kallio-Crotteau, Student Program Advisor and chapter advisor. “It focuses specifically on student leadership and personal development. A lot of people ask if it’s real — and it is. It’s fully backed by an accrediting body.”  

Membership is open to all students interested in leadership growth. While the NSLS nationally suggests a GPA range of 2.5–3.5, Madison College’s chapter prioritizes inclusivity. Driven students who are motivated to build leadership skills are encouraged to apply, regardless of GPA. Students can be nominated by current members or reach out to Kallio-Crotteau directly at [email protected] to set up a meeting and discuss how NSLS could work for them.  

To join NSLS, you begin with a one-time lifetime membership fee of $95. You are provided access to professional development resources, leadership programs and national networks, or as Kallio-Crotteau likes to say, “the first half of available benefits.” Then, you begin a five-step process to become a fully inducted member with access to all NSLS resources and connections.  

The path to induction begins with orientation, offered three times a semester, either online or in-person. For students who need extra flexibility, a self-paced version is also available over the course of the semester.  

 After orientation, members participate in Leadership Training Day, a session focused on setting realistic goals and developing strategies to achieve them as they establish leadership foundations throughout the semester. 

 Students then move into Success Networking Teams, small peer groups that meet at least three times during the semester. In these groups, members set goals, progress reports and hold one another accountable while offering support.   

The next step requires members to view three Speaker Broadcasts featuring influential leaders such as Bill Gates, Mark Cuban, or Deion Sanders, with more being added every year, who share their own experiences with leadership and success. Once all requirements are complete, students take part in a formal induction ceremony.  

Most students complete the induction program within one semester, although it is mostly self-paced. “Say 80 students joined in a given year, about 72 would finish within a semester,” Kallio-Crotteau said. “It’s all about what the student needs. We’ll support them either way.” The group is also for life and is willing to meet you where you are, helping you get on track. Kallio-Crotteau had mentioned that he had a student step back for years and still return to complete the program.   

Inducted members gain full access to expanded benefits such as access to over $400,000 in annual NSLS scholarships, networking opportunities across the U.S., professional development opportunities, technology and travel discounts, and even mental health support through BetterHelp.  

 The organization also connects students with career opportunities through virtual and in-person job fairs, career connection events, and professional development workshops.

“They do try to host opportunities that focus on employment, so students can use NSLS as a bridge into their future careers,” said Kallio-Crotteau.  

Kallio-Crotteau said the skills students take away are transferable, interpersonal effectiveness, accountability and constructive peer challenge.

“Challenge doesn’t have to be negative if it’s pushing you to be a better individual,” he said. 

He pointed to examples like Student Senate leader Annette Crowder, who credited NSLS with motivating her to take on more responsibilities and leadership roles. Other students have found the program to be a means of exploring leadership beyond traditional avenues.  

For students unsure whether to commit, Kallio-Crotteau’s advice is simple: ask questions.

“It’s OK to be on the fence. If this isn’t the right fit, I’ll help them find other opportunities. But if they do join, I want them to walk away with skills and experiences that matter,” he said.