President’s Student Leadership Program — Manitoba’s next generation of leaders

The President Student’s Leadership Program (PSLP), the marquee initiative of the UM’s James W. Burns Leadership Institute is now welcoming applications for its third cohort. This unique-in-Canada immersive learning opportunity brings together Manitoba students from across subjects, post-secondary institutions, and interests to build on their experience and potential as future leaders in the province and more widely.

The fully funded program provides an exceptional opportunity for participants to work with peers from diverse backgrounds and to connect one-on-one with exemplary leaders. Workshops with thought leaders, peer learning, and team change projects round out the program format. Students dive into important challenges for our society while gaining insights that will give them skills to contribute as leaders in their careers in any field.

“Participants are selected based on their commitment, potential and existing leadership experience contributing to their communities, whether at school or more broadly. If you see yourself in the program criteria, please apply,” said Dr. Suzanne Gagnon, Institute Director. “Through the program we are creating a community of leaders who can work and learn with peers from different backgrounds, disciplines and worldviews, critical to effective leadership for our future.”

Students represent the University of Manitoba, University College of the North, University of Winnipeg, Brandon University, Red River College, Université de Saint-Boniface, and Assiniboine Community College.  The selection committee seeks balanced representation that reflects Manitoba’s diverse student body, and both undergraduate and graduate students. The selection committee welcomes all students who have demonstrated impactful leadership in their community or student life. Participants will join a unique community of program alumni with the opportunity for ongoing interaction and contribution to future cohorts of the President’s Student Leadership Program. A letter of accomplishment and co-curricular record complement the students’ academic record.

Shanelle Gingras, a Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases graduate student from the University of Manitoba, is a member of the second cohort of the PSLP Program. She said that learning alongside a cohort of diverse participants from a wide range of faculties, degree levels, backgrounds, and leadership experiences was a program highlight for her. She also noted that the diverse expertise in the local and international leaders that guide participants through various workshops helps to expand the leadership skill-sets of PSLP participants.

 “These workshops and lectures create a foundation for project development and execution, which is later put into practice with a community focused summer project,” said Gingras. “The PSLP is a unique program in that it not only builds on your leadership skills, but it also creates a network of peers, mentors, and community-based organizations that you can continue to work with throughout your leadership journey, wherever that may take you.”

Applications for the 2021 program are open to students of all faculties at UM as well as the PSLP’s partner institutions. This year, the Core Week of the program runs from June 7 – 11 inclusive. Follow-up project work will be conducted in teams during summer 2021, and seminars and events will take place on four dedicated Saturdays in the fall and winter 2021-22, with a two-day final seminar in late February 2022. The program closes with a formal ceremony in March 2022.

While the first cohort of the program (2019-2020) experienced an immersive opportunity much like an executive education seminar, by living on-site at the University of Manitoba for the core week, the second cohort of 22 students participated in the program virtually due to COVID-19.

University of Manitoba computer science and management student, John Baptista was a member of the second PSLP cohort that had to shift to the online format in the spring.  While Baptista, like the other PSLP students were hoping for the immersive on-campus experience, the virtual alternative still allowed them to engage with inspiring speakers and participate in all the leadership workshops, as well as engage in the mentoring program that is part of PSLP.

 “I met inspiring individuals in my cohort, and without the PSLP being held virtually, I would not have had the opportunity to meet and work with these talented individuals,” said Baptista.

All students meeting the criteria are invited to apply by February 26.

Asper Staff