PSLP cohort 5 at the Indigenous Youth Panel in The Pas, Manitoba
Your Next Great Leadership Opportunity: President’s Student Leadership Program
Apply to Manitoba’s unique-in-Canada postsecondary leadership program by March 3
Applications are now open for the sixth cohort of the President’s Student Leadership Program (PSLP), Manitoba’s premier post-secondary leadership development opportunity, funded through a fellowship for selected students and housed at the Asper School of Business. PSLP is an annual, cohort-based program that builds a network of students across disciplines and backgrounds including those from UM (70 % of participants) as well as the other major Manitoba postsecondary institutions: University College of the North (UCN), the University of Winnipeg, Red River College Polytech (RRC), Université de Saint-Boniface, and Brandon University. Emerging leaders from any discipline or level of study who want to build on their existing leadership experience and skills are invited to apply by March 3.
Successful applicants will join a cohort of peers to participate in a core week of workshops, site visits and leader talks in June 2024. Participants then complete a summer service leadership project in interdisciplinary teams, continue the program in the fall and take a trip to northern Manitoba in winter 2025. The program concludes with a graduation celebration. Participants also have an opportunity for individual mentoring with a senior leader from the community.
Housed at the Asper School of Business, the James W. Burns Leadership Institute at UM has been shaping the next generation of leaders through this flagship program since 2019. Students learn from senior leaders in different sectors, from non-profit, business and government to healthcare and technology. Program workshops teach from multiple perspectives, discussing leadership purpose, collaboration, conflict resolution, dialogue and negotiation, while students learn from their peers, deepening their knowledge and broadening their reach as future leaders.
Cohort 5 Visits The Pas, Manitoba
This February, the students of cohort five travelled to The Pas and Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) to learn from Indigenous and community leaders in the North. The students met with distinguished leaders including Edwin Jebb, UCN Chancellor and OCN Band Counselor; Maureen Brown Onekanew (Chief) of OCN; Minister Judy Mayer, Vice President Manitoba Métis Federation, The Pas Region; and Doug Lauvstad, President and Vice Chancellor of UCN.
An inspiring panel with community youth leaders rounded out the visit, along with cultural activities. Panel members shared their personal experiences, life stories and current goals. The panel comprised Ashley Moore, Chief Executive Officer at Kíwétin Environmental Consulting Ltd; Gloria Packo, 2023 Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival Fur Queen and entrepreneur; Savanna Henderson, OCN Councillor and entrepreneur; and Desarae Lambert, Executive Director at The Pas Community Renewal Corporation.
While in The Pas, PSLP was hosted by Dr. Dan Smith, Vice-President of Strategic Growth at UCN and Burns Leadership Institute Advisory Board member. The trip exemplifies PSLP’s pan-provincial mandate, exposing participants to experiences of leading, living, working, and bringing change in Manitoba.
Said Dr. Suzanne Gagnon, PSLP program professor and director of the Burns Leadership Institute,
“Being in their community and learning directly from these leaders was an incredible opportunity for our PSLP students. They see how leadership contributes to reconciliation and how, in detail, the actions of leaders at all levels are bringing lasting change. This knowledge is critical to the understanding and capacity of any emerging leader preparing to serve in Manitoba and beyond.”
PSLP participant and UM Master of Sociology student Mehraz Sarker comments on the impact of the program.
“This experience has significantly contributed to my personal growth, leadership, and cross-cultural understanding. We extend immense gratitude to our hosts, partners, and all the leaders involved for their amazing support in nurturing us as future leaders.”
Justin Hiebert, Diploma in Business Administration (Marketing) student at RRC, added,
“Having the opportunity to go to The Pas and meet leaders of the community was an incredible and humbling experience. I was able to grow and really see a new perspective through a different lens that I normally do not see. This will allow me to strengthen my leadership abilities in my future.”
Apply Today
Visit the PSLP website for full program details, eligibility criteria and instructions on how to apply. If you see yourself in the criteria for selection, we encourage your application!
PSLP cohort 5 catching the northern lights in The Pas.
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The Burns Leadership Institute was launched at UM in 2019, funded through a visionary investment by Power Corporation of Canada, Canada Life, IG Wealth Management and the Province of Manitoba.