Leadership
Student Life offers leadership programs that are designed to be high-impact and engaging developmental opportunities for UCR students. We offer a wide range of resources for students to enhance their leadership skills and become positive change makers in their communities.
UCR benefits from having a large and diverse population that includes a high number of first-generation college students. This is a unique place where students have the opportunity to learn more about equity and equality, social justice, cultural competency, and community engagement.
Critical to creating positive change in the community is an awareness of the issues that plague our society. Students who become involved in these programs leave better equipped to tackle society's biggest issues and become the leaders that our communities need.
Cultural Awareness Project
The Cultural Awareness Project is a 4-week leadership series on cultural competency and social justice that takes place every quarter. Over the course of four workshops, students gain a better understanding of their identity, how identify shapes our interactions with peers, the systems of oppression that are in place as barriers to a fully dignified life for some identities, and what students can do to challenge these systems and create more inclusive and equitable spaces on campus and in their community. This series counts toward the “Group” requirement of the Leadership in Action Certificate Program.
Bridge the Gap
Bridge the Gap is a 3-week leadership series on overcoming political polarization that takes place every quarter. You might find it more and more difficult to have effective political conversations with friends, family and especially strangers. These conversations can be filled with anxiety, anger and fear. But why can’t we have more effective political conversations? Could it be that we feel increasingly powerless? This workshop series will guide students through more effective political conversations en route to trying to diagnose the root of political polarization. This series is not meant as a debate or screaming match — this series is for students who are interested in overcoming political polarization. This series counts toward the “Group” requirement of the Leadership in Action Certificate Program.
Game Changers
Game Changers is a 4-week leadership series on civic engagement that takes place every quarter. This workshop series helps students learn actionable ways to create change in their communities. Maybe there are things on campus that you would like to see change. Maybe there is something in your neighborhood that you aren't happy about, but you don't know where to start. Maybe you aren't happy with the status quo and the landscape of social issues on the national stage. Participants will learn new skills in how to develop coalitions, identify and address problems, and take steps to changing their communities. This series counts toward the “Group” requirement of the Leadership in Action Certificate Program.
Inspiring R’Leaders Conference
Inspiring R’ Leaders is an annual, daylong student leadership conference that is for currently registered UCR students. Every year the conference has a special theme and features a keynote speaker and offers up to 21 workshops, which are all focused on the theme. Past themes have included “Lead with Excellence” and “Tools for Change.” The conference challenges students to be the change they want to see in their community and equips them with the tools necessary for creating that change. This conference counts toward the “Society” requirement of the Leadership in Action Certificate Program.