Welcome to CLL Central! This is a podcast series which includes interns and guests of the UC Davis Center for Leadership Learning as they discuss their own experiences with leadership.   Topics range from leadership to inclusion to professionalism to self-development.

On Episode 1, Maire and Keke discuss Diversity and the personal experiences they had. Join us for a reflective conversation of this leadership topic and more!

As we collectively process the disturbing acts from rioters on our nation’s capital on January 6, I encourage you to take a moment and breathe.  Many of us were hoping to put the pain and destruction of 2020 behind us; yet, six days into the new year, we are again faced with gross misuses of power and blatant disparities in policing.

We continue to need leaders - compassionate, empathic, inclusive leaders – to come together and confront racism and inequity.  Together, let's resist fatigue and work to make our society a more just and peaceful place.

(CLL) — UC Davis, The Grove. Prior to the pandemic, crowds of students pass this modest building on their way to class — many of them not sparing a glance as they sprint to their 8am. But, tucked neatly away past its lowly lit hallways is a tiny room with a big mission.

Targeting UC Davis undergrads, the Center for Leadership Learning aims to educate and cultivate the next generation of leaders.

We like to tell our students to “learn to lead, lead with purpose.” One of our very own interns and peer educators, Ziad Asadi, does just that. As the 2020 spring quarter comes to a close, the Center for Student Involvement awards Asadi with the Adams Award for his exceptional leadership of the Video Game Orchestra at UC Davis.

The Center for Leadership Learning stands in solidarity with the Black and African American community and strongly denounces the abuse of power by law enforcement and positional leaders who cultivate and perpetuate systemic oppression and racism. 

Following the death of George Floyd by the hands of Minnesota Police officers, among so many other Black Americans for decades, and the protests we all see, literally around the world, we, as a society, are presented with a choice. 

Do we take action or do we continue down the same path?

“12:30!?” I exclaimed to myself after waking up and grabbing my phone to check the time. I stared at my phone in disbelief because of how late I had slept and how half the day was already gone. So much for getting my stuff together. As I scrolled through the notifications, I saw a list of Canvas notifications. At that moment, I felt the stress but had no motivation to get up and complete the assignments. So instead, I continued laying in my bed scrolling through Instagram, watching Tiger King, and wasting more time. 

My first time hearing about the Center for Leadership Learning and the Diversity Leadership Development Program was through an announcement from one of the clubs I joined. It went something along the lines of this: “If anyone is interested in a leadership program that involves receiving 2 academic units, a leadership certificate, and a program that teaches you about the importance of leadership, diversity, and inclusion, then I encourage you to join DLDP, a program offered by the Center for Leadership Learning.” After hearing this announcement, I noticed my ears were perked up.

Did you know the CLL offers volunteer experience? Having volunteer experience will set you apart in the job market or graduate school applications. It will also provide you with essential skills that will enhance your academic career. Volunteer experience displays interest beyond academics. It will help you gain confidence and help you market your soft and hard skills.

Throughout Winter and Spring Quarter, members of the Student Leadership Development Program (SLDP) have been working hard to put their learning to action. An important aspect of the certificate program, is a group project in which students must work together to help make an influential impact on the UC Davis campus.

‘The Grocery Girls,’ comprised of SLDP members, Shaye Spani, Elsie Villanueva, Sara Helms, and Alayna Gerstel, embrace the group project as a platform to help end food insecurity on campus.

As college students, some of us are eager to enter the professional world and some are a little nervous. What exactly do employers and recruiters want to see from us?