Collegiate Leadership Competition

Apply here to represent UTM regionally and globally in the Collegiate Leadership Competition! - https://forms.office.com/r/xWSC5gw8uP Applications close December 11th at 11:59 PM.

What is the Collegiate Leadership Competition?

The Collegiate Leadership Competition (CLC) is an international competition that provides students passionate about leadership with a practice field. Last year, UTM took 1st place in the global competition and 3rd in the regional competition! For the 2026 season, we are recruiting and coaching TWO teams of current UTM students to compete at the CLC. There are two competitions:

1. Canadian Regional Competition in March (typically at Wilfred Laurier University, Brantford Campus)
2. Global Virtual Competition in April

During both competitions, each team is given 6 different challenges to complete. Teams are judged on how well they work together and to what extent they finish each challenge. Also, each team member leads one of the six challenges and receives feedback on their leadership performance.

Team Commitment

Attend mandatory practice (~26 hrs) Through attending weekly practices, UTM team members learn the CLC's leadership curriculum and practice taking on challenges as a team. There are four coaches per team, many of whom have competed and/or coached in past years, and are eager to get our 2026 teams ready!

Competitions (~24 hrs) 6 team members committed to the team and their growth as leaders will compete. Below are dates for the 2026 season.

• Practice Virtual Competition is on Sunday, March 1st from 5:00-8:00pm
• Canadian Regional Competition (In Person) is on Saturday, March 28th, 2025, 8:30a.m - 5:00p.m. Transportation will be provided from UTM to the competition.
• Global Virtual Competition is a two-day virtual competition on April 16th and 18th; Day 1 of the virtual is 5:30 - 10:00p.m.; Day 2 of the virtual is 10a.m.- 2:30p.m. *** We are aware this is during exams. We do not expect students to know now if they will be able to attend.
• Post-season Debrief - after competitions are over, the teams meet one last time to reflect on the season

Learn the CLC curriculum (~12 hrs) Approximately 1 hour of independent work per week. As a team member, you are committed to learning the CLC's leadership curriculum both during and between practices. Curriculum topics include attributes of effective leaders, leadership/followership styles, creative problem-solving, influencing others, navigating difficult conversations, conflict resolution, ethical decision-making, stressors, and effective teaming.  

*Team members participate for free. All costs associated with the competition - cost of the competition, travel to the in-person competition, practice materials etc. - are paid for by the Centre for Student Engagement

Here's what team members have to say:

"Being part of UTM’s Collegiate Leadership Team has supported my growth by providing me with real-world leadership experiences." - Afeefa Muskan, CLC Team Member 2025

"Being part of UTM’s Collegiate Leadership Team this year has been a turning point in my personal and leadership development. It offered more than just workshops, it gave me a space to reflect, connect, and evolve." - Osheen Kalra, CLC Team Member 2025

"Unlike other programs I’ve joined, this one felt like a true community. It supported me in ways that went beyond leadership, it helped me feel seen, heard, and included." - Azhar Dilmamode, CLC Team Member 2025

"It helped me learn so much about myself, how I think, how I feel when in a group working environment both as a leader and team member. I am proud of the person, leader and team member I have grown into after being a part of CLC." - Unezila Jama, CLC Team Member 2025

Inquiries

For all questions and feedback regarding the Collegiate Leadership Competition please contact:

Laura Walkling 
Supervisor, Leadership Education

• Email: laura.walkling@utoronto.ca