Become 1 of 28 Community Leaders! Registration is now open! Register at https://forms.office.com/r/uJ62p8hgJc. Registration closes January 16th, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
What is the Community Leadership Development Program?
Ready to make a real impact on campus and beyond? The Community Leadership Development Program (CLDP) is a unique volunteer opportunity designed to give you the chance to:
- Lead real projects in our community. You'll help develop and facilitate CSE programs, working alongside UTM staff and/or community partners.
- Receive leadership training to help you grow as a leader, with support from peers and staff.
- Connect with other student leaders in the Centre for Student Engagement (CSE).
- Gain valuable experience, CCR recognition and a recommendation letter upon request.
Program Structure
As a Winter 2026 participant, you will be considered an Alternative Reading Week Community Leader supporting Alternative Reading Week.
This role is a 40hr volunteer commitment. What do the 40hrs involve?
- 25 hours of volunteering in the UTM and/or local community as described in the ARW CL description; this allows you to apply your leadership skills in a practical setting
- 10hrs of leadership training and/or meetings throughout the program, providing you with tools and information to succeed in your roles. A key component of this is attending four in-person trainings, each 1 hour long, between Jan. 26-Mar. 16. Details are available in the application form. For these four 1hr trainings, you will be placed in a small group and will attend all 4 sessions with the same group.
- 5hrs completing administrative tasks of the program (ex. emails, reflections, surveys)
Our first required in-person session is Saturday, January 24, 2026 from 10:00am-4:00pm. Morning snacks and beverages are provided. A one-hour break occurs from 12:20 to 1:20pm during which lunch is provided.
Here's what students have to say
"Volunteering with the CSE this year has been a transformative experience for my personal and professional growth. It gave me the opportunity to step into leadership roles where I learned how to support others, manage stress, and adapt to new situations." - Niana Singh, Community Leader 2024-2025
"It helped me connect with others and feel more involved! I really enjoyed working with others at UTM to contribute to larger missions beyond our campus." - Massimo Bozzo, Community Leader 2024-2025
"Volunteering with the CSE pushed me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to explore new challenges and develop confidence in my leadership skills. Through hands-on experiences...I discovered my leadership style...while learning to adapt, collaborate, and problem-solve effectively. Stepping into unfamiliar roles showed me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers but about guiding and supporting a team toward a shared goal. This experience gave me the confidence to take initiative, trust my abilities, and grow as a leader." - Natran Tewoldemedhin, Community Leader 2024-2025
"It has certainly helped me manage my time, and I loved volunteering with the CSE. The camaraderie between all members of the team really made me feel at home, and showed me that this is something that I would love to be a part of in the future." - Ng'ang'a Gitau, Community Leader 2024-2025
Fall 2026
We have three Community Leader roles that begin during the Fall term. Registration for these roles will open in early September 2026. Below are descriptions of the roles for Fall 2025:
- Access & Inclusion Community Leaders support Access and Inclusion Programs from October to April
- STEAM Community Leaders support STEAM Day programming from October to April
- STEAM Mentorship Academy Community Leaders support the STEAM Mentorship Academy (SMA) and must be available on Thursdays from 2:00-4:30pm from October to December
Inquiries
For all questions and feedback regarding the Community Leadership Development Program, please contact:
Laura Walkling
Supervisor, Leadership Education
- Email: laura.walkling@utoronto.ca