Cal Community Leaders Program (CLP)

• 1-on-1 advising from the Cameron Institute: Customized project planning & professional development support to develop a ‘business/project plan’ for your project

• Community connection & mentorship: direct matching and connection with community stakeholders that are most proximate to the issue, and one-on-one mentorship aligned with your interests/needs during and after the program to help improve your project strategy and expand your network.

• Endorsement & Cameron Institute support to implement your service project: Implement your pilot project within a 3-9 month period, with official Cal Cameron Institute endorsement and support. 

• Ability to apply for in-kind support & project funding: Opportunity to apply for in-kind support and funding to support project needs, such as:

  • Reimbursement for mileage and food associated with service project 

  • Supplies 

  • Professional development or  technical assistance to support project success

Following the Community Engagement cycle of “learn, plan, do, reflect,” the CLP is designed to be intentional, yet flexible - fitting within the confines of the student-athlete schedule while encouraging student-athletes to leverage the platform that their sport provides to raise awareness and bring an idea to fruition. 

• Minimum 6-month-12 month cycle

• 30 min-3 hours/week (depending on project cycle)

• 30 minute weekly check-in with Cameron Institute Advisor

Applicant Eligibility

• Applicants must be current Cal Student-Athletes, who will remain at Cal for at least 12 months from the date of the application 

• Applicants must be in good academic standing 

Project Eligibility: 

• Proposed projects must seek to address an issue of equity; removing barriers and creating pathways to opportunity.  

• Proposed projects must identify a primary pathway for engagement

• address a need that is supported by demonstrated evidence within the community (this can include lived experience)

• Proposed projects may include a new idea, or, propose to scale or enhance an existing initiative (example: the Football Summer Reading Challenge). 

• Additional consideration is given to 

  • Projects that impact an issue locally within the UC Berkeley campus, or the east bay 

  • Projects that include collaboration with Cal Athletics, campus or community entities 

  • Projects that provide an opportunity to engage Cal student-athletes or teams in direct service 

Application & Selection: 

• Capacity: Up to 5 students may be selected at any given time for the initial cohort (‘23-24) 

• Application: interested student-athletes may apply for the CLP on a rolling basis  

• Selection committee: a selection committee will review applications on a rolling basis and nominate projects for the CLP

• Coach approval: given the time commitment, student-athletes must receive approval from their coach 

Application/questions to answer before we meet. Answer these questions in this form. 

• Why are you interested in the CLP

• What is the issue, problem, or opportunity you are seeking to address? Why? 

• What sphere of community does this issue impact? (check all that apply)

• How do you know this is important? What supporting information or evidence do you have to share about the issue? 

• What is your early solution or project idea?

• What primary pathway for engagement do you anticipate using within your solution/project? Another Example of Pathways here.

• What would you need to get this project off the ground?  

• What organizations or resources do you know about that are working on this issue?

• Who might you consult outside of the Cameron Institute for expertise or partnership?  

• What is the timeline for your project? 

• What is your goal for 6 months?

• What is your goal beyond 1 year?

• Do you plan to engage Cal Athletics teams? If so, which teams?

• What do you hope to get out of the CLP program?

• Is there anything else you would add?