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
Looking for a way to get organized? Drop in at our creative bullet journaling sessions! We provide supplies – you provide ideas! Set goals, track habits, and plan your semester. Learn how journaling can be utilized as a tool for leadership growth. Open to all!
Tuesdays, September 8th,15th and 22nd, 12 – 1 PM
Union 381 (Sep. 15, 22)
Union 119 (Sep. 8)
Tuesdays, September 8th,15th and 22nd, 12 – 1 PM
Union 381 (Sep. 15, 22)
Union 119 (Sep. 8)
Game On combines the fun of board and party games with real-world leadership development. Through interactive gameplay and guided discussion, you’ll discover how skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, and decision-making show up both at the table and in everyday leadership. Come ready to play, connect with others, and level up your leadership—one game at a time.
Tuesdays, October 6th, 13th and 20th.
From 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Student Union, room 381
Tuesdays, October 6th, 13th and 20th.
From 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Student Union, room 381
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
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
“The leader of the past was a person who knew how to tell. The leader of the future will be the person who knows how to ask.” – Peter Drucker, author and consultant
Explore the Social Change model, designed to drive positive change in our community.
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!
Wednesdays, October 14th, 21st and 28th.
From 4:00pm to 5:30pm
Student Union, room 340
Registration Opens: Friday, September 25th
Explore the Social Change model, designed to drive positive change in our community.
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!
Wednesdays, October 14th, 21st and 28th.
From 4:00pm to 5:30pm
Student Union, room 340
Registration Opens: Friday, September 25th
Programs & Workshops
In addition to the workshops offered by Student Leadership Programs, we also are able to prepare custom sessions, including CliftonStrengths workshops!
A 3-week workshop series where you’ll explore five key leadership practices. Through taking an assessment, discussions and activities, you’ll answer essential questions like: How do I lead based on my values? How can I inspire and create positive change? How do I empower others and celebrate successes?
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
Custom Services
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 InformationCustom 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 FormNote: Make sure you are submitting this form at least 3 weeks in advance
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!
See PantherOrgsClass 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 FormStudent 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 FormLeadership 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 NewsletterStudent 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.