What began as a vision in 2018 has evolved into an integral part of student development at UC Riverside. Following a successful inaugural year, UCR’s Leadership Certificate Program (LCP) is proving that leadership capabilities are best developed through practical experience.
Student Life began developing the LCP framework in 2018 but halted efforts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s version of the program embodies the original foundation and has been fully expanded by program developers and coordinators, Katie Machado and Carolina Jimenez Acosta. LCP was piloted in spring 2025 with 28 students and then officially launched in fall 2025 with 43 participants.
LCP is designed to help undergraduate and graduate students build leadership capacity through practical engagement, workshops, and service opportunities. The program is structured around five core competencies: social capital, career readiness, civic-mindedness, personal resilience, and cultural humility. Participants progress through three tiers based on the number of leadership hours they complete: Blue Tier (25 hours), Gold Tier (50 hours), and Tartan Tier (75 hours).
Opportunities are planned and hosted by various campus departments and groups, such as the Student Recreation Center or one of many Student Resource Centers. LCP coordinators then add events that fit their mission to a Campus Wide Activity Log. Students browse the pre-approved activities and complete them for credit or suggest their own events that align with one of the five competencies.
“I’m proud to be part of the Leadership Certificate Program at UCR, as I’ve seen firsthand the impact it has on students’ academic and professional development,” Jimenez Acosta said. “Beyond the skills they gain, it’s especially rewarding to watch students build meaningful connections and a strong sense of community with one another through the program.”
Some participants of the first cohort recently reached important milestones — collectively contributing more than 581 hours of volunteer service, leadership opportunities, and workshops. Read more about their experiences below.
💙 Blue Tier
Maryam Haque | School of Business | pursuing a bachelor's in business administration | Class of 2026
“I joined the Leadership Certificate Program because I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and become more involved on campus. As a commuter student, it can sometimes feel difficult to build connections, so I saw LCP as an opportunity to engage more deeply with the UCR community. I was also interested in developing skills that would help me both personally and professionally, especially in areas like communication, networking, and leadership.
I would encourage students to join if they want to grow beyond the classroom. It’s a great way to build skills, meet new people, and get involved on campus. Even if it feels intimidating at first, putting yourself out there makes the experience much more rewarding.”
💛 Gold Tier
Quynh Do | BCOE | pursuing a bachelor's in environmental engineering | Class of 2027
“I think what’s really important for a leader to understand is that people come from all walks of life and backgrounds. I've attended cultural events such as the Lunar New Year Celebration by APSP, the Spectrum of Blackness by ASP, and a potluck with CSP. These events have opened me to different traditions and built a stronger connection to diverse groups of people.
I didn’t expect how much I would grow in cultural humility and self-awareness. The program challenged me to reflect on my values and biases. I also learned that leadership is less about authority and more about listening, building trust, and empowering others. It taught me to shift my perspectives.”
💙 Tartan Tier 💛
Pratyasha Mishra | pursuing a doctorate in biochemistry and molecular biology | Class of 2027
“The UCR Leadership Certificate Program came at a time in my Ph.D. when I needed it the most, when I was struggling to manage my stress, and my mental health was at stake. The reason I joined this program was more personal than anything else. I saw the program as an opportunity to engage myself in something outside the lab. I wanted to explore new things and step out of the routine cycle of what, in an ideal world, is expected to define a Ph.D.
I also participated in service activities such as making cards with positive messages for pediatric patients and people experiencing homelessness. The intent was to give hope and pass on some positive energy. Being part of activities like these was not just an act of civic-mindedness, but also a reminder that there is a broader purpose to fulfill in this world, and that professional life is not the only loop we should keep ourselves trapped in.”
Applications for the third cohort of Student Life's Leadership Certificate Program are being accepted through April 15.
Join the Program
Students interested in LCP should attend the Leadership Certificate Program Info Session on April 6.
Find more information about LCP and apply by April 15: studentlife.ucr.edu/ucr-leadership-certificate-program
