STEP Forward

Leadership development program for Concordia student employees

Benefits of participating

Greater self-awareness and strengthened sense of purpose and capacity for leadership
Meaningful connections with your student employee colleagues from across the university
Individual coaching, a personalized development plan and community connections facilitated by the program lead
Increased awareness of opportunities for further growth and engagement
Co-curricular recognition
Financial compensation in the form of an honorarium (approximately $880)

What to expect

If selected for STEP Forward, you’ll be part of a cohort of 25–30 students. The program requires a commitment of about 40 hours for leadership training activities between September and April, including:

Workshops on topics such as collaborative leadership, conflict mitigation and community building
Small, peer-led group activities focused on team building and reflection
Individual coaching from the program lead, including additional training assignments and an informational interview with a community mentor as part of a personalized development plan

HOW TO APPLY

Student testimonials

Kassandra Pierre-Ismael

NouLa ambassador and Community, Public Affairs and Policy Studies major

STEP Forward has been a transformative experience for me. Initially, I was apprehensive about stepping out of my comfort zone and wondered if this journey was on my path, and I quickly realized that it was.
Overall, this training has enriched my understanding of the topics and set me on a clear path towards my goals and my journey in Public Relations. I highly – HIGHLY – recommend this program to anyone looking to enhance their skills, expand their network and build meaningful connections!

Sammy Jamieson

Beat the Odds intern and Psychology major

I am very grateful to have met a diverse group of student leaders who shared a passion for improving our communities. The program helped me build confidence and grow as both a community member and a future professional by blending reflection, learning and hands-on leadership opportunities.

Anette Mariko Cheyne

Advancement Engagement Centre shift lead and Psychology major

STEP Forward helped me reflect upon what I could bring to the table at my student job and at school, as well as think about areas I want to improve on. Additionally, the atmosphere at STEP Forward is motivating and kind, I recommend it to anyone seeking to expand their social/professional bubble and seeking additional guidance in their future goals!

Program lead

Arwen Fleming earned an MA in Media Studies from Concordia’s Department of Communication Studies in 2014. Inspired by her first student job as a Career Peer Educator at the University of Alberta, she has spent over 20 years advocating for universal access to education and championing peer-led initiatives in university services and community organizations. According to her coworkers at the Dean of Students Office, her superpower is "Arwen-ing": the magical art of knowing (almost) everyone that allows her to connect the right people at just the right time.

Email Arwen: arwen.fleming@concordia.ca

Are you a supervisor of student staff?

Encourage your student employees to apply! If you’d like a member of the STEP Forward team to present to your students, or if you have any questions about the program and what is expected of supervisors and their student staff, please contact the Program Lead, Arwen Fleming, at arwen.fleming@concordia.ca.

Thank you to our funders

The STEP Forward Student Staff Leadership Program is supported by the McCall MacBain Foundation.

Student Hub