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LGBTQ+ Leadership Retreat

The LGBTQ+ Leadership Retreat is a weekend long opportunity for LGBTQ+ and ally students to build relationships, find community, and learn how to create a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ students on campus. Focusing directly on developing leadership skills, building collaborative networks and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community, the LGBTQ+ Leadership Collaborative will educate, inspire, and empower the next generation of leaders through a social justice lens. The retreat takes place annually in Feburary.

Learning Objectives

Students who complete the LGBTQ+ Leadership Collaborative will:

  • Develop a greater understanding of their personal identities, particularly sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression
  • Articulate the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community in regards to sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, spirituality, and disability
  • Demonstrate the ability to build community through collaborations
  • Develop an ability to manage and resolve interpersonal conflict
  • Understand the different roles of LGBTQ+ allies, advocates and activists
  • Gain and/or support a sense of commitment to improving social and political outlook for the LGBTQ+ community
  • Gain knowledge of and ability to articulate the contemporary issues facing the LGBTQ+ community
  • Develop personal and leadership skills, including but not limited to time management, effective written and oral communication, conflict resolution, teamwork, group facilitation, and peer education.

Who can apply

GBTQ+ and Ally identified students interested in participating in this program must meet the below criteria:

  1. Identify as LGBTQ+ or Ally
  2. Be in good academic and judicial standing

~Good academic standing means you have a cumulative UC grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 and your last completed semester grade point average (GPA) is at least 2.0

~Good judicial standing means are currently not on university probation

If you do not meet the above criteria but would still like to apply to participate in the LGBTQ+ Leadership Collaborative, please contact Angi Baxter at abaxter3@ucmerced.edu to set up an interview.

What do you need to apply

To be considered, you must qualify with the “Who Can Apply” criteria and complete the application once it is available.