Community Leadership Certificate

The Undergraduate Community Leadership Certificate Program is an interdisciplinary program where students from any major can explore leadership theory, community organizing, the role of civic life and identity, and gain practical experience in community engagement and leadership.

About the Certificate

The program is based on a social justice model of leadership development, but will expose students to additional philosophies such as servant leadership and authentic leadership. Students will also gain practical experience by attending team-building activities such as retreats and ROPES courses, participating in community service, and doing a practicum in a leadership position, among other experiential learning activities.

Certificate Requirements

Download Certificate Requirements (PDF)

The undergraduate Community Leadership Certificate Program is an interdisciplinary program where students from any major can explore leadership theory, community organizing, the role of civic life and identity, and gain practical experience in community engagement and leadership. The program is based on a social justice model of leadership development, but will expose students to additional philosophies such as servant leadership and authentic leadership. Students will also gain practical experience by attending team-building activities such as retreats and ROPES courses, participating in community service, and doing a practicum in a leadership position, among other experiential learning activities.

Living Learning Community (LLC)

Members of LLCs at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) get the opportunity to be part of a "community within a community" by living in residence halls among students with similar interests. Further, members of LLCs have access to special resources, programs, and activities that will help you connect with others students, instructors, and life at the university.

Goals of the Community Leadership LLC

While there are multiple LLCs here at UWM, the Community Leadership LLC focuses on giving students the skills to succeed as active citizens and leaders in the community. Thus, the goals of this LLC are:

To connect students to one another and their surrounding community
To offer students exercises in leadership development
To encourage students to be active citizens and teach them the importance of participatory democracy, community engagement, and citizenship
To give students an opportunity to make a real difference in their own lives as well as the lives of others through community service and community organizing
To introduce students to the history and practices of community organizing for social change in America

Students who live in the Community Leadership LLC will be only 9 credits shy of completing the Community Leadership Certificate Program; a great add-on to one's major or minor. Certificate completion is noted on the student's final transcript.

LLC Requirements

The Community Leadership LLC requires certain criteria for student involvement, courses that must be taken, and living in an UWM residence hall. *Note: Students who live in the Community Leadership LLC will be only 9 credits shy of completing the Community Leadership Certificate Program; a great add-on to one's major or minor. Certificate completion is noted on the student's final transcript.

Criteria

All freshman or sophomore status students, no matter major, are eligible to take part in the Community Leadership LLC. The following two courses are required for participation in the Community Leadership LLC:

Ed Pol 111: Organizing for Social Action in Urban Communities (3 credits) is offered in the fall and focuses on students learning the history of community organizing in America, how to frame social problems as "solvable" issues, and how to strategize about power and for action.

Ed Pol 315: Emerging Leaders: Community Engagement and Group Process (3 credits) is offered in the spring and focuses teambuilding and community building through volunteer service projects. Students will also learn about leadership theory, emotional intelligence, and the importance of engaged citizenship.

Living Space

Students participating in the Community Leadership LLC will be required to live in the RiverView Residence Hall.

Other Activities

The Community Leadership LLC will also provide students with the opportunity to participate in an overnight leadership retreat, a service-learning course, volunteer projects, and a community issues project.

Contact the Department

Enderis Hall Room 557
2400 E. Hartford Ave.
Milwaukee WI 53211

Mailing Address:
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Department of Educational Policy & Community Studies
School of Education
P.O. Box 413
Milwaukee WI 53201

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M.- 4:30 P.M.
Office Telephone Number: (414) 229-4323
Fax Number: (414) 229-3700
epcs@uwm.edu