Student Life

Leadership Week '26 | October 19-23, 2026

Leadership Week 2026

Explore the Leadership Landscape

UCR Leadership Week is a flagship, transformative experience designed to strengthen the leadership abilities of UCR students through the exploration of social capital, career readiness, civic mindedness, personal resilience, and cultural humility. This experience is crucial for students aiming to elevate their leadership skills, prepare for professional success, and make a meaningful impact in their communities. By participating, students will gain access to an exclusive lineup of activities designed to expand their horizons, from engaging workshops and panels, to networking events and roundtable discussions. Register for UCR Leadership Week to embark on your journey of self-discovery and empowerment, and learn the skills necessary to become an empowered and engaged leader.

UCR Leadership Week offers an extensive array of events and activities, allowing students the flexibility to choose the ones that resonate most with their personal and professional growth goals. While students are encouraged to explore as many sessions as they wish, it's important to note that some of the week's highlights require pre-registration due to limited spaces. 

UCR Leadership Week takes place Monday, October 19 to Friday, October 23, 2026 (Week 4 of Fall Quarter).

By participating in UCR Leadership Week events, students will be entered into an opportunity drawing for UCR merchandise. The more events students attend, the more opportunities they have to win! 

Also-donate a canned or nonperishable food item and receive an extra entry for the opportunity drawing. All items will be donated to the UCR Food Pantry.


REGISTER FOR UCR LEADERSHIP WEEK!

Schedule of Events

MONDAY, OCTOBER 19
  • From Service to Leadership: Connecting with Community Through Volunteering

    11 a.m.–12 p.m.  |  HUB 260

    Discover how volunteering can be a pathway to leadership, community engagement, and personal and professional growth. In this session, meet the Volunteer Center student team and explore how service experiences can help you develop UCR’s leadership competencies, particularly Civic Mindedness, Social Capital, and Career Readiness. Participants will learn about Volunteer Center programs and resources, explore opportunities through the Volunteer Portal, and discover ways to connect their interests and skills with meaningful service experiences on and off campus.

    FREE: Panera Breakfast
    HOST: Volunteer Center Staff

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20
  • Paths to Public Service: Building Leaders for the Common Good

    11 a.m.–12 p.m.  |  HUB 265

    Are you interested in strengthening your leadership skills while pursuing a career that makes a difference? Join a panel of UCR Randall Lewis Policy Fellows and Master of Public Policy students as they share how hands-on experiences in public service have shaped their leadership development, academic journeys, and professional goals. Together, we’ll explore what effective civic leadership looks like, how you can begin developing your own leadership capacity as a UCR student, and where a career dedicated to the common good could take you.

    FREE: Boba Drinks
    HOST: Center for Community Solutions

  • Step Up, Stand Out: Leveraging Leadership Skills for Your Career (A Panel Discussion)

    1–2 p.m.  |  Career Center – Meeting Room A & B

    Step Up, Stand Out: Leveraging Leadership Skills for Your Career brings together campus leaders to share how students can translate their everyday leadership experiences into marketable, high-impact career skills. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to articulate their value, stand out to employers, and successfully navigate the transition from campus leadership to workplace success.

    FREE: El Pollo Loco
    HOST: The Career Center

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21
  • Growing Community at the R'Garden

    11 a.m.–12 p.m. |  HUB 260

    The R'Garden is a student resource space and community-centered garden that focuses on growing food and growing student leaders! Join us for a presentation on how student activism intersects with professional development at the UCR R'Garden. We will be discussing internship and volunteering opportunities as well as upcoming events in our space. Learn about how you can take part in UCR student leadership history by becoming a part of the R'Garden!

    FREE: Michis de la Baja
    HOST: R'Garden

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22
  • Communicate with Confidence: A Practice-Based Public Speaking Workshop

    12–1 p.m. | HUB 269

    In this interactive workshop, Professor Speer will give practical, applicable advice for enhancing your public speaking skills. The workshop includes tips for embodied delivery (voice, gestures, eye contact, using your space etc.) as well as strategies for crafting content and organizing yourself on the fly (e.g., answering interview questions and communicating your transferable skills!). Because leadership often involves inspiring and influencing others through clear, confident communication, developing strong public speaking skills is an essential part of becoming an effective leader.

    FREE: Panera Lunch
    HOST: Dr. Annika Speer

  • From Campus to the Capital: How UCDC and UCCS Shape Student Leaders

    2–3 p.m. | HUB 269

    What is it really like to spend a quarter learning and interning in Washington, DC, or Sacramento? In this panel, former UCDC and UCSC participants will share how their entire experience, from academic coursework and professional experiences to navigating a new city and building relationships, has contributed to their personal and professional growth. Attendees will learn how students become more independent, develop confidence, and discover new opportunities for their futures. Panelists will also share practical advice for students considering either program.

    FREE: Drinks & Desserts
    HOST: Undergraduate Education

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23
  • Your Leadership Journey: Explore the UCR Leadership Certificate Program

    12–1 p.m. | HUB 260

    What does leadership development look like in practice? Join the UCR Leadership Certificate Program student team for a brief introduction to the program and its five leadership competencies: Social Capital, Career Readiness, Civic Mindedness, Personal Resilience, and Cultural Humility. Then, hear directly from students who have completed the program as they share their experiences, lessons learned, and advice for students looking to grow as leaders. This session offers an opportunity to explore how intentional leadership development can help you build skills, strengthen connections, navigate challenges, and prepare to make an impact in your community and future career.

    FREE: Brunch
    HOST: Leadership Certificate Students & Staff

The Five Pillars of Leadership Week

Social Capital: The development of networks that enrich one's personal and professional life and can be leveraged to address personal and community challenges. 

Career Readiness: The development of skills and competencies critical to securing a career and excelling in the workplace.

Civic Mindedness: The development of pro-social behavior and the understanding of civic engagement as a process of public problem-solving through both political and non-political means.

Personal Resilience: The development of physical, mental, and emotional resilience and perseverance critical for enduring personal and community challenges.

Cultural Humility: The development of skills necessary to engage in critical self-reflection, ongoing recognition of personal bias, exploration of one's role in developing inclusive environments, and effective collaboration and communication with all people.  

Explore the leadership core competencies!

Questions? Contact us: leadership@ucr.edu

Benefits of Attending Leadership Week

  1. Personal Growth and Skill Development: Students will have the opportunity to develop essential leadership skills such as effective communication, strategic thinking, and personal resilience. All workshops and activities are designed to challenge and expand their abilities in an effort to foster personal growth. 
  2. Networking Opportunities: UCR Leadership Week provides a platform for students to connect with like-minded peers, as well as campus and community leaders. These connections can open doors to mentorship, internships, and future career opportunities. 
  3. Enhanced Employability: By strengthening your career readiness and personal resilience, you will be more employable. Participation in the week's events can be a valuable experience to pull from when searching for a job. 
  4. Community Engagement and Civic Responsibility: Through their participation, students will gain insights into the importance of community engagement and social responsibility. This can inspire them to take on leadership roles in community projects and initiatives, and make a positive impact in their community. 
  5. Resilience Building: In today's fast-paced and often unpredictable world, resilience is key. UCR Leadership Week will equip students with strategies to overcome challenges, bounce back from setbacks, and thrive in both their personal and professional lives. 

 

You Belong at UCR

All programs, services, and events offered through Student Affairs are open to everyone, consistent with federal and state law and the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Whether you’re seeking support, joining a community, or participating in campus life, every effort is made to ensure your experience is inclusive, respectful, and accessible, regardless of background or identity.

To learn more, visit the UC Nondiscrimination Statement or the Nondiscrimination Policy Statement for University of California Publications Regarding Student-Related Matters.