Yosemite Leadership Program
Year 1 Leadership Seminar
The Yosemite Leadership Program (YLP) strives to be the premier student environmental leadership program in the nation. YLP fosters synergy among government, business, and academia to develop thoughtful, ethical, and innovative leaders.
In partnership with the National Park Service, the Yosemite Education Center, and the Margo F. Souza Student Leadership Center at UC Merced, YLP educates and inspires environmental advocacy and social change through skilled, intentional, and community-centered leadership.
Year One: Leadership Seminar
Applications for the 2024–2026 cohort will open in August.
The Fall 2025 Cohort Leadership Seminar will meet on Wednesdays from 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM, from September 17, 2025 through November 19, 2025.
The first year consists of a series of interconnected elements that help participants explore their leadership identities, the Social Change Model of Leadership Development, community engagement, National Parks, environmental stewardship, and personal growth.
Sessions are held weekly on campus, and the program includes two overnight retreats to Yosemite National Park at the beginning and end of the academic year.
Student Voices
“It is a safe space for anything here. We listen to each other, and we support each other. This program brings new experiences that motivate us to try new things and discover sides of ourselves we have yet to show. It is my pocket of peace for the week.”
— 2023–2025 YLP Participant
“The most valuable components of this program are the connections being made alongside learning different leadership models. It helped me connect with like-minded individuals and build meaningful friendships.”
— 2023–2025 YLP Participant
