hree people standing outdoors in front of green trees wearing matching gray T-shirts with the words 'TO LEAD, LIVE. TO LEAD, LIVE.' printed in bold black letters.

Student Leadership

UWM offers a variety of leadership programs to help you develop your unique strengths and turn them into real-world skills.

The Student Leadership Program at UWM offers a variety of leadership programs to help students develop their unique strengths and turn them into real-world skills. Employers are expecting to hire recent graduates who have sought leadership experiences – and who have reflected on these experiences and are ready to translate them to their setting. Our programs give students the opportunity to reflect on and translate their experiences. 

Whether you’re interested in honing your personal leadership style, becoming an agent of social change, or simply leveraging your existing experience, there’s a program for you. Many programs focus on practical application, with hands-on activities, workshops, and opportunities to connect with peers. Take the next step in your leadership journey and explore what UWM has to offer!

Featured Leadership Events

Logo for Tuesday Tea event.
Tuesday Tea
Ever wished for a space on campus to spill the tea or discuss important topics with supportive peers? Come join us for “The Tuesday Tea,” a casual drop-in series where we dive into spicy conversations and bold takes often overlooked in Leadership and Higher Education. Enjoy teatime treats, eats, and all the details, plus take home a free keepsake mug. Will things get a little messy? Possibly. Come sip and find out!
Tuesdays, November 3rd, 10th, 17th, December 1st and 8th
From 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Student Union, 3rd floor Student Involvement Lounge

Logo with a pink spork over a green circle and text 'Lunch & Learn,' promoting a UWM leadership event.
Lunch & Learn
Looking to level up your leadership skills in just 20 minutes? Drop in for a bite to eat and a quick interactive session on practical leadership hacks you can use right away. Each session is packed with insights, activities, and tools to help you lead with confidence and creativity–all while enjoying free lunch!
Tuesdays, from 12:00pm to 12:30pm
November 3rd: Find Your Why – Discover your values & purpose.
November 10th: Tell Your Story – Communicate your experiences & strengths.
November 17th: Make Your Move: Turn purpose into action & impact.
Student Union, room 119 (Nov. 3,10) & room 381 (Nov. 17)








3 photos of graduating students wearing caps, gowns and various cords.
Leadership Badges and Graduation Cord
Earn Your Leadership Graduation Cord 
You’re already building your leadership skills through Student Leadership Programs—now you can be recognized for it. 
The Leadership Recognition Program rewards students who take part in leadership development opportunities throughout their college experience. Attend SLP workshops, guest speaker events, leadership conferences and other approved programs to earn digital badges along the way.
Students who earn the Transformational Leader Badge (15+ hours) become eligible to apply for a Leadership Graduation Cord.
If you are graduating in December 2026, though, be sure to complete your application by November 18, 2026.
Orange graphic with the word 'Ignite' and a flame above the 'i,' plus tagline: Make Connections. Create Your Path.
Ignite Leadership Institute
Are you tired of picturing the same people when you hear the word Leadership? Does the word Leadership freak you out? Redefine it at Ignite.
One workshop gives you lifelong skills to put on your resume and a new perspective on what it means to lead.

The Ignite Leadership Institute will be offered several times per year and can be completed in just ONE four-hour retreat.

Friday, November 6th, 2026 from 11:30am to 4:00pm in the Wisconsin Room C

Upon completion of this program (attending the entire session) you will earn 4.5 hours towards a Leadership Recognition Badge.

Programs & Workshops

3 photos of graduating students wearing caps, gowns and various cords.
Badges & Graduation Cord
You’re already building your leadership skills through Student Leadership Programs—now you can be recognized for it. Earn digital badges and apply for a graduation cord to acknowledge your leadership development!
Four vertical panels in pink, green, orange, and purple show scenes of students engaged in activities: crafting with paper pieces, writing at a table, speaking in a classroom, and taking notes. The image represents UWM student leadership and involvement programs.
Drop-in Programs 
Whether it’s Leadership Lunch & Learn sessions, Pages with Purpose (Bullet Journaling) workshops, guided conversations during Tuesday Tea, or other skill-building opportunities, we’re always introducing new ways for you to explore and engage with leadership education.
Colorful collage of horizontal panels showing students in leadership activities: group discussion in a computer lab, large roundtable meeting, crafting with paper pieces, and classroom writing. Bright overlays in green, blue, pink, and orange emphasize creativity and collaboration.
One-time Workshops
Meals with Meaning, Off-Campus Conferences, SMART Goal-setting, Exploring your Values – we have lots of options for you get great info in one sitting. Check back here often – the offerings are always changing!
Colorful collage of puzzle pieces showing students in group activities, writing, and a lightbulb icon, symbolizing creative leadership programs.
Custom Workshops
In addition to the workshops offered by Student Leadership Programs, we also are able to prepare custom sessions, including CliftonStrengths workshops!
Orange graphic with the word 'Ignite' and a flame above the 'i,' plus tagline: Make Connections. Create Your Path.
Ignite
Unleash your inner leader and connect with fellow UWM classmates through Ignite! This program combines large-group learning sessions with hands-on challenges, plus small-group discussions led by your Ignite Cluster and Coach. It culminates in a celebratory retreat, providing tools like the Ignite Workbook and Personal Reflection Guide to help you chart your unique leadership journey.
Certificate program: Eligible for badge
Illustration of six people standing together with raised arms and peace signs next to bold text reading 'Lead the Change' in blue and yellow.
Lead the Change
Embracing all identities, this five-week program empowers students to become agents of social change. Through activities fostering activism, you’ll develop practical skills to navigate the path from intent to impact. Participate alongside a diverse community and learn from mandatory workshops like Allies, Advocates, and Activists, to make a real difference.
Certificate program: Eligible for badge
Illustration of two people with books and text 'Leave Your Mark,' promoting student leadership opportunities.
Leave Your Mark
Explore how you see yourself v. how others see you, learn how to ask for and be truly receptive to feedback, plan a hypothetical bank heist and take part in Debate Club warm-ups. What do these seemingly random activities have in common? Come find out how to Leave Your Mark! 
Certificate program: Eligible for badge
Graphic with a compass illustration and text reading 'Discover your True Potential with CliftonStrengths' on a yellow and white background.
Strengths for Students
This program takes you on a journey of self-discovery through a comprehensive strengths assessment, revealing your unique talents. You’ll then receive a personalized report offering valuable insights, and collaborate with a dedicated mentor to understand, analyze, and leverage your top 5 strengths into a concrete plan for achieving your future goals.
Certificate program: Eligible for badge

Custom Services

Custom Workshops
In addition to the workshops offered by Student Leadership Programs, we also are able to prepare custom sessions, including CliftonStrengths workshops!
Note: Make sure you are submitting this form at least 3 weeks in advance 
Custom Workshop Request Form
Class Presentations
We are excited to offer brief, 2-minute classroom announcements and invite faculty to allow a quick visit to share leadership opportunities available to students. These short presentations highlight experiences that support résumé building, meaningful connections with peers and overall leadership development. By allowing us a few minutes in your class, you help ensure students are aware of valuable resources designed to enhance their academic, professional, and personal growth.
Presentation Request Form
Student Organization Presentations
We now offer quick, 2-minute announcements tailored for student organization meetings to help members discover new ways to get involved and grow as leaders on campus. These brief presentations introduce leadership programs, skill-building workshops, certificate opportunities, and other resources that can enhance members’ resumes and expand their campus connections. We’re happy to collaborate with your organization and provide an engaging overview that adds value to your meeting while equipping your members with opportunities to develop their leadership.
Presentation Request Form
Digital Badges
 We now offer digital badges for attending our programs! We offer badges on PantherOrgs for each workshop and Tuesday Tea. We even offer badges based on the hours you have spent honing your leadership skills in our programs! We have a badge for each tier: 4 hours, 8 hours, and 12 hours. Earn credentials that you can add to your resume and LinkedIn!
PantherOrgs
Teambuilding Totes
We’ve assembled tote bags for you to check out and use with your student organization, student staff, or other groups. The totes include activities for team building, energizing, and breaking the ice. In addition to the totes, we also have larger challenge-course activities available for check-out, including Pipeline, Bullring and The Maze.
Email for more Teambuilding Totes Information
Leadership Newsletter
Our biweekly Leadership Newsletters focus on a wide spectrum of topics to create and share useful content, schedule events in advance and share with your friends.
Subscribe to the Newsletter

Student Excellence Awards

The Student Excellence Awards at UW-Milwaukee honor outstanding contributions from individuals, student organizations, student employees, and professional staff who demonstrate leadership, service, and innovation. Categories recognize achievements such as exemplary advising, impactful programs, community service, advocacy for diversity, and initiatives that inspire positive change on campus and beyond.

View Student Excellence Award Information, Categories, Nominations, & Award Winners