Would acting as a mentor be considered leadership?

[whoMD]

In high school I have had a lot of leadership responsibilities, but at college I have not been fortunate enough... I have been proactive in running but sometimes it just doesnt work out...

I am planning on becoming a mentor to freshmen next semester. I could also pursue becoming a mentor in an academic advising center. Yes I would enjoy this but I also know that I don't have time to do everything I enjoy and would like to spend some time gaining some leadership experience

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[Catalystik]

Mentoring a student would more logically be placed under Teaching. Training other mentors and scheduling/following up on them is leadership. Mentoring in the Advising Center might be considered similarly, but you could potentially do something leadership-y that would be convincing if you described it right (suggest and implement informative sessions or group seminars, eg). I'd consider neither opportunity ideal for your purposes as you're just starting out.

Look for something else where you take responsibility, take initiative, and get a job done. The more people you recruit or oversee, the better.

Consider starting a new special-interest group with friends and make it grow. Organize folks for a food collection, campus clean-up, a booth at a health fair, a fund-raiser. Campaign on campus for an important change and achieve your goal. There are more and better ways than getting elected to an office to be a leader.