Five Trent University students competed in an international leadership competition, putting their skills and knowledge gained at Trent to the test. After months of training, the team from Trent University competed virtually in the Collegiate Leadership Competition (CLC) over Zoom and placed third in Canada and tenth internationally.

“It was an amazing experience to see not only the students’ skills and confidence grow over our weeks of practices and the competition, but as well as my own as a coach,” says Rachel Glofcheskie ’14 (Champlain College), this year’s coach, administrative assistant of Otonabee College, and former CLC participant.

Taking leadership skills to an international stage

The CLC is a non-profit, curriculum-based leadership program that creates a dynamic practice field where student leaders can apply what they’re learning in a context that stretches them to the boundaries of their leadership knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Students learn to retain and recite sharp knowledge of the curriculum materials when competing – developing their comprehension and leadership skills in the process.

“We were filled with immense pride knowing the team was ready to compete when the competition got started,” says Anya Kuzca-Czarnota, residence life coordinator of Otonabee College. “We were especially excited about this year’s competition as we challenged the way activities were designed as an incredibly diverse team, during practices and leading up to the competition with the Planning Board and lead judges.”

Ms. Glofcheskie and Ms. Kuzca-Czarnota were joined in coaching this year’s students by Dr. Stephanie Muehlethaler, principal of Otonabee College. Trent University was further represented by alumni Dorcas Mensah ’13 (Champlain College), current assistant residence life director at Campus Living Centres, and Joanna McMurchy ’15 (Champlain College), now working in nursing, who attended CLC 2022 as judges.

The youngest team from Trent

The 2022 CLC team from Trent has a unique distinction – it’s the youngest team to ever compete on behalf of the University.

Four of the five students competing in this year’s competition are in their first year at Trent and preparing for the competition has been no small task.

“I first heard about it after doing the IMPACT leadership program in the fall semester, and then my don recommended it too,” says Victoria Pouget, a first-year Otonabee College student in the Trent-Fleming Nursing program. “At the beginning of the year, I was not at all confident in my leadership skills, but since participating in CLC, I have noticed myself referencing the CLC terms in various situations and I feel better prepared to take on leadership positions in the future.”

Experiential learning opportunities like the CLC are one of the unique opportunities that allow students to develop their skills and expertise outside the classroom. With universal skills like leadership, students will be better prepared for whatever their future holds beyond their years at Trent.

“Colleges offer students access to skills development opportunities like the CLC,” says Dr. Jessica Becking, interim principal of Otonabee College. “Connecting students with transdisciplinary opportunities which expand their classroom learning positions them to leave Trent with the skills and knowledge to be successful professionals no matter their field. I had the opportunity to watch this year's CLC team compete, and they should be so proud both of their performance and their representation of Trent on an international stage.”

Other Trent CLC competition team members included:

• Jonathan Nayler, a second-year Otonabee College student in the Indigenous Studies program
• Isabelle Row, a first-year Lady Eaton College student studying Economics & Political Studies
• Madison Spence, a first-year Otonabee College student in the Forensic Biology program
• Trinity Williamson, a first-year Otonabee College student in the Forensic Science program