HELLO new students! My name is Ellis Hayman, and I am here to fill you in on some of the great involvement opportunities that Leadership and Community Engagement has to offer! The department here in Student Life strives to develop innovative, collaborative, and rewarding service learning programs to help students become engaged with the campus as well and the greater Guelph community throughout their wonderful years as university students.

We coordinate the Peer Helper Program which is comprised of different units of students serving each other across campus. Peer Helpers engage in activities such as facilitating learning groups in the library, workshops on health issues through the Wellness Centre, programs which encourage civic engagement, workshops on leadership skills through LEAD@Guelph, and information sessions for new and international students.

Project Serve is another program that inspires students to be actively engaged in the community and social change through ongoing volunteer action and critical reflection. Project Serve Guelph takes place early in the term; this year it will be Saturday October 1st! This energy filled event is a half day opportunity for students to embed themselves in community service projects in Guelph. For some groups, this becomes a pattern of service that continues throughout their university experience.

I realize that this is a lot of information to absorb, but stay tuned for more blogs, and everything will fall into place. Also, feel free to contact us with any questions. In the meantime, HAPPY SUMMER!