Program Dates: The core week of the program runs as an on-site, live-in seminar from June 6 - 13, 2020. Follow-up seminars and events will take place on four dedicated Saturdays in the following academic year.
Location: The University of Manitoba, with site visits in Winnipeg and the surrounding area. Participants will live on-site at the University of Manitoba for the duration of the core program.
Program size: There will be a maximum of 32 students accepted into the program.
Program format: The core week program is a multi-day, live-in seminar with site visits, hands-on leadership workshops and peer learning. Participating students will examine some of today's most critical leadership issues and challenges, and develop skills to make a difference as current and future leaders. Students will interact with renowned leaders known for their impact and contributions to society. There will be a strong focus on leadership through collaboration and partnership. During site visits, students will engage with some of the top leaders in Manitoba working in different sectors and communities and will develop and execute a team leadership project following the core week. The focus on skills workshops, site visits and engaging with top leaders continues on the dedicated Saturdays during the subsequent academic year. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in an individualized mentoring program with a senior leader in Manitoba.
Participants will gain a broad perspective on leadership and build skills to help in their careers in any field and gain insights that will allow them to contribute to Manitoba's social and economic wellbeing in the future. The major program themes include:
- The power of collaboration for leaders and leadership;
- The role of leaders and leadership in social change;
- Purpose and ethics in leadership;
- The challenges of leading in critical sectors of our economy and society.
By participating in the program, students will receive:
- A unique experience working with peers from diverse backgrounds;
- The opportunity to learn in an intensive format from top leaders about key leadership challenges;
- Access to mentorship opportunities;
- A letter of accomplishment and a certificate to complement the student's academic record;
- Funding for program participation in the form of the President's Student Leader Fellowship;
- Participation in a unique community of program alumni; and
- Ongoing interaction and contribution to future cohorts of the President's Student Leadership Program, helping to form a network of future leaders in the province.
Prior preparation: Preparatory work will not be required before the core week program dates. This is a non-credit, selected co-curricular program. A certificate of interdisciplinary achievement from the University of Manitoba will be awarded upon completion of the program.
Funding: Successful admission to the President’s program comes with a student fellowship to cover the full costs of the core week. Covered costs include transportation to Winnipeg if necessary, meals, lodging during the week at the University of Manitoba, and transportation to and from site visits. A per diem for daily necessities is included. Accommodation and transportation costs for those from outside of Winnipeg are included for the dedicated Saturdays.
Core Week Timing: The core week dates were chosen with students' year-end responsibilities in mind and to accommodate different program end dates in postsecondary study. Successful applicants who need to be excused from an internship or job placement for the week can request a letter from the program director.
Sample Weekday Itinerary: (Saturday and Sunday will be preparatory work and workshops)
8 a.m.: Breakfast in common dining room
9 a.m.: Student teams work together to plan approaches and questions for the day’s site visit. Each day will follow a theme, e.g. increasing leadership impact through collaboration and partnership
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Depart for site visit, where lunch will be provided.;
Site visit examples include:
- a leading innovative company where the CEO, union leaders and top employees will dialogue with the participants;
- leadership in the justice system, hearing from and engaging with from key decision-makers;
- leadership in social services or healthcare - key challenges and approaches; and
- leadership in the arts.
4 p.m.: Team reports and reflections. After returning to campus, participants gather in their teams to prepare informal presentations for the group on their team’s findings during the visit.
5:30 p.m.: Break
6:30 p.m.: Dinner in common dining room
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.: Post-dinner activity (guest speaker or leadership workshop)
ELIGIBILITY and ADMISSIONS