Morgridge Center for Public Service
Connecting Campus and Community Through Service and Learning
Mural by Emily Balsley

Community-Engaged Leadership Retreat

The Community-Engaged Leadership Retreat is a weekend-long gathering for UW-Madison student leaders interested in collaborating with communities and maximizing their social impact. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from student and community leaders, develop skills for change-oriented collaboration and explore community sites.

The majority of the retreat will take place at the UW South Madison Partnership. South Madison is a diverse and growing area of the city. The retreat will provide opportunities to learn about community leaders and organizations in South Madison and across the city, while also highlighting community assets and histories. 

Save the Date: March 20-22

Program Components

Applications are due by Sunday, Nov. 30. We recommend completing the application in one sitting, as we cannot guarantee your information will be saved if you close your browser. Fill out the application form below.

For questions about the retreat or the application, email Cory at sprinkel@wisc.edu

Participants of the Community-engaged leadership retreat will:

  • Develop an understanding of the principles and practices of community-engaged leadership 
  • Explore various pathways to community involvement and engaged citizenship 
  • Students will deepen their understanding of the Madison community

Friday, March 20, 6-8pm

  • Dinner and kickoff panel

Saturday, March 21, 10am – 5pm

  • Leadership development sessions 
  • Lunch 
  • Breakout blocks and community tours

Sunday, March 22, 10am – 4pm

  • Self-awareness and reflection opportunities
  • Community building activities 
  • Breakout blocks

The retreat will be structured, in part, based on the Pathways of Public Service and Civic Engagement. The pathways describe a range of possibilities by which individuals can make a contribution to the common good and engage with the community. The following Pathways will be explored during the retreat:

  • Community-engaged research and learning
  • Direct Service
  • Community Organizing and Activism
  • Policy and Governance
  • Social Entrepreneurship 
  • Philanthropy

2025-26 Community-Engaged Leadership Retreat Application Form

Name(Required)
Email(Required)
Year at UW (Pick One)(Required)
Have you engaged with any of the following Morgridge Center for Public Service affiliated programs?
Check all that apply
The retreat will be organized around an engagement model called the Pathways of Public Service. To help us better understand your community engagement interests, please complete this brief survey (approximately 15 minutes). After you fill out the survey, indicate the top three pathways that interest you. This does not lock you into these sessions and is simply intended to help inform event planning.
(Required)
How did you hear about this event?(Required)
The Community-Engaged Leadership Retreat will take place the weekend of March 20 thru March 22. On Friday, there will be a dinner and kickoff panel in the evening. On Saturday and Sunday, sessions will take place between 10am and 4pm. By checking this box you are acknowledging the event's time commitment and, if selected, will make your best effort to attend the entirety of the event.(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.