Developed with feedback from student consultants, the Student Leadership Program (SLP) and Foundational Training Program (FTP) have been transformed and integrated into the new Community Leadership Certificate (CLC). SLP and FTP closed and CLC launched in spring 2024.
Community Leadership Certificate (CLC) transition FAQ
What is the Community Leadership Certificate (CLC)?
CLC combines the Student Leadership Program (SLP) and the Foundational Training Program (FTP) into a brand-new certificate program made by students for students. It offers a comprehensive approach to anti-oppressive, community centered leadership, emphasizing collaborative skills and practical knowledge.
CLC consists of four sequential workshops:
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Foundations of Collaborative Leadership (FCL)
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Leading with Curiosity
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Collaborative Team Building
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Harm Reductive Communication and Conflict Resolution
What does “made by students for students” mean?
"Made by students for students" has three key aspects. First, students gave feedback on the original SLP and FTP programs and the CLC pilot. Second, students lead and facilitate the workshops. Third, students are the main audience for these workshops.
With the three key aspects in mind, the Coordinator of Student Development Programs, a full-time staff member in the Student Success Office (SSO), gathered and organized content for the four new workshops.
The goal of "made by students for students" is to ensure the final result meets students’ needs. We aim to address real problems and provide solutions that benefit students in their personal and professional lives.
When did the transition happen?
Registration for CLC opened April 22, 2024, with the first course, "Foundations of Collaborative Leadership," offered in mid-May.
Workshops for SLP/FTP were available until the end of the winter 2024 term.
What happens to my progress in SLP? Can it be applied to CLC?
No, students cannot transition or apply progress in SLP to CLC. However, students are welcome to complete any combination of SLP, FTP and/or CLC.
For timelines on completing SLP, please refer below to "When do I need to complete my SLP/FTP?"
When do I need to have SLP/FTP completed by?
Workshops for SLP/FTP were available until the end of the winter 2024 term.
SLP participants should complete their community hours and submit their final reflection by the end of spring term 2024. If this is not possible, please contact student.leadership@uwaterloo.ca.
Why is the transition happening? Were students consulted?
In response to feedback and insights gathered from current students, student leaders and co-op students, through focus groups, feedback forms and more, we initiated updates to the SLP and FTP programs. Students expressed the following feedback and wants:
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Integrating equity conversations into workshops
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Ensuring the program’s value post-graduation is clear and adds credibility to participants’ resumes
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Less time consuming and less repetition of content
After reviewing the feedback, it confirmed the team’s decision to combine SLP and FTP into a single program. The goal of combing the two programs is to provide a more cohesive and impactful learning journey for students, meet the feedback from above and explore a new way of looking at leadership.
How does the CLC differ from the previous programs?
CLC combines the best parts of SLP and FTP into one program. The initial course, "Foundations of Collaborative Leadership (FCL)," replaces FTP. FCL retains the crucial message about understanding the scope of a student leader role and making meaningful referrals. The three other redesigned workshops will cover leading with curiosity, collaborative team building and harm reductive communication.
Are CLC workshops offered online or in-person?
Both. CLC has designed workshops to accommodate various preferences and circumstances. The course registration on Portal will communicate the specific format for each workshop. CLC aims to support diverse learning needs, whether you prefer the flexibility of online participation or the in-person experience.
Are there any additional requirements for the CLC?
Like SLP, in addition to the four required workshops, students must complete 10 leadership hours in paid or volunteer positions and submit a short, guided reflection. We currently don't expect any major additional requirements, though there might be some small adjustments.
Who can I contact for further assistance?
If you have specific questions or concerns, please reach out to our dedicated support team at student.leadership@uwaterloo.ca. We are here to help ensure a smooth transition for all students.