What is it like to participate in CLDP?  

“CLDP is a really good program for people who are looking at being more involved in their community,” shared Sofiyyah Kelani, 2023-24 program alumna. “It’s a very easy way to get started – you get support, mentorship, and a space to explore what community means to you and how to make a difference, no matter how small you think it is.”

As part of CLDP, Sofiyyah’s team hosted the International Health Hub Huddle, which helped international students learn more about their health care coverage and gain confidence in accessing their benefits. In leading her team, Sofiyyah was able to grow in her leadership and planning skills, begin thinking in a more community-oriented way, and become a better communicator on both personal and professional levels, all while getting to know more about herself.

Meet the CLDP facilitator

The Community Leadership Development Program is facilitated by Maddi Reed, a queer and neurodivergent staff member whose intersectional identity led them to a passion for women’s rights, reproductive justice, and queer rights. Maddi brings experience in planning and implementing events, and hopes to address the significant gap in supports on-campus for students who want to hold student-led events.

“This upcoming year, I am most excited to see idea generation and implementation come directly from students for students,” shared Maddi. “I look forward to learning alongside the student teams to discover what the best version of their events looks like.”

What does it entail?

Applications for the summer intake will open on June 2, 2025, at 9:30am. Student teams of three or more will apply for the Grow Your Community Fund, proposing a project that meets an identified need in their community. Successful student teams will receive funding, mentorship, and training in community-building for marginalized, minoritized, and underrepresented student communities on campus through weekly meetings.

Program Timeline

For student teams applying for the summer intake, keep the following dates in mind:

• June 2 – applications open
• June 5, June 8, June 17 – optional GYCF Idea Generation and Grant Writing workshops
• June 22 – applications close
• July 7 – student teams are notified
• July 17 – August 21 – required weekly Thursday evening training sessions
• September – proposal implementation starts!

For more information on the eligibility criteria, the selection process and how to apply visit the Grow Your Community Fund webpage.

Student leadership can help you flourish, both personally and professionally! The range of skills you can develop is as wide as the variety of opportunities for leadership on campus. Here’s just a few examples…

Social connections and communication skills

In a leadership position, you get to meet and develop relationships with a variety of folks at UM! If you get involved with your department’s student group, for instance, you’ll find yourself getting to know your cohort of peers much better. Or, in an interest-based group, you’ll get to forge connections across departments and faculties, with students you might’ve never run into in a classroom setting. More connections means more opportunities to develop communication skills! Over time, you’ll find that you can write email messages or approach people in-person more confidently.

Conflict management and diplomacy

For a student leader, every bump in the road is an opportunity to learn. As club executives, for instance, leaders have to learn how to delegate responsibilities and explain duties in a respectful way. Conflicts can be uncomfortable, but you’ll learn crucial skills like how to de-escalate arguments, or when to seek advice and mediation.

Creativity and problem-solving

Being a student leader often involves coming up with novel ideas to fit specific circumstances! You might find yourself brainstorming ideas for a student event or improvising when plans fall through.

Financial literacy

Many leadership positions involve handling or planning around money. If you were a treasurer, for instance, you would learn how an organisation holds its funds, handle transfers, or design budgets!

Time-management skills

Leaders have to manage their own schedules in different ways – sometimes, they have to manage schedules for others and big groups, too! Whatever kind of position you find yourself in, you’ll learn how to balance your academics with your extracurricular activities and whatever else takes up time in your life. You might also find yourself planning event or meeting times and learning how to balance different peoples’ needs.

Once you get involved, you’ll notice these skillsets enhancing your personal life, academics, and career. Just like you get credit for the skills and knowledge you gain in your classes, you can get credit for your leadership involvement, too! The Experience Record is a digital resource that tracks your involvement in recognised activities outside of the classroom – like an academic transcript, but for all different kinds of opportunities! Instead of just adding new bullet-point to your resume, you can show future employers or admissions offices a verified record of your involvement at UM.

Learn more about accessing and adding to your record on the Experience Record page of the UM website or view your current record through UM Connect. If you’re wondering where to start, check out our recent article about how Student Experience and Development can point you in the right direction [hyperlink when available], or browse the Experience Catalogue for current opportunities. Still have questions? Reach out to ExperienceRecord@umanitoba.ca!