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The Leadership & Service LLC kicks off with the Fall 2019 Leadership Retreat

August 29, 2019

The Leadership & Service Living Learning Community (LLC) starts off strong with their Fall 2019 Leadership Retreat.

  

The Leadership & Service Living Learning Community (LLC) is a collaboration of the Margo F. Souza Student Leadership Center, the Community Engagement Center, and UC Merced's Residence Education unit.

On Saturday, August 26th the new cohort of 21 first-year students - all of whom self-selected into the LLC - attended a day-long leadership retreat at Lake Yosemite. The cohort had the opportunity to complete a service project for the park, as well as engage in self-reflection regarding the type of leader they hope to become during their time here at UC Merced.

Pictured above is one of the first-year LLC members participating in self-reflection during the Leadership & Service LLC Fall Retreat at Lake Yosemite.

The Leadership and Service Living Learning Community is open to first-year students who are willing to commit themselves to exploring and developing their own leadership skills and style, understanding their personal values, and learning how to ethically and effectively engage with and in the local community. Personal engagement on a weekly basis is expected. 

The year kicked-off with a Fall Retreat. There is also a community service component, and participants will get to experience the Central Valley through the Valley Adventure and Service trips, 1 each semester, in addition to weekly community service placement.  

Their are several goals for the program. Through this experience, students will be able to (1) articulate an understanding of personal values, strengths and leadership style, (2) identify issues within the community they wish to impact for positive change, and (3) develop the ability to apply learned concepts to campus, community and professional life. 

Students have expressed that the experience allows them to build community while making an impact in the community. One student explained that the impact of their experience: “What I have found most valuable about being a member of the Leadership and Service Living Learning Community is meeting new people and stepping out to make a difference,” the student said.

If you have questions about the Leadership & Service LLC, please feel free to contact the coordinators. 

Leadership & Service LLC Coordinators: