The Urban Leadership Learning Community (ULLC)

What is the ULLC?

Canisius ULLC students

The Urban Leadership Learning Community (ULLC) Scholarship is a competitive, four-year renewable scholarship covering 50-100 percent of a student’s tuition, room/ board and fees. The ULLC enables the best and brightest students from Greater Buffalo to enroll in a unique educational opportunity at Canisius. The ULLC offers students a four-year program to help create the next generation of leaders in Buffalo and Western New York from a population that historically has been denied positions of influence or power in Buffalo. The program provides its students with partial and full scholarships to cover tuition, room and board and fees. Moreover, through its many activities throughout a student’s undergraduate career, the program fosters academic excellence, extra-curricular involvement and service to others, all through collaboration. ULLC students consider each other “family” who cooperate rather than compete with each other.

Mission of the ULLC

The Urban Leadership Learning Community fosters the development of leaders to serve their communities by providing access to higher education to students from populations that have been historically denied. Students will engage in rigorous learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom to cultivate traits necessary to give back to the Buffalo community.

Outcomes

1. Students will be expected to maintain high academic standards.

2. Students will be able to discern their leadership skills and abilities.

3. Students will be able to demonstrate the Ignatian value of being people for and with others.

4. Students will be able to effectively participate in program based activities.

5. Students will be globally aware scholars who are empathetic to the individuals and the world around them. 

Requirements

ULLC students are required to take four, collaborative, non-lecture “Team Learning” courses for the core curriculum foundation courses. They have opportunities for more in a range of disciplines. The leadership activities that ULLC students participate in are many and varied and include: a Leadership Workshop Series, four workshops that investigate and apply leadership concepts to the demands of careers and good citizenship; a Summer Leadership Training Program for incoming freshmen, two weeks of intensive preparation for the demands of college life; the ULLC Council, class representatives to plan and promote program activities, such as the Annual Banquet. All ULLC students participate in one or more internships either related or ancillary to their career plans.
ULLC students hold offices in a wide range of campus activities; many of them study a semester abroad; and many participate in the Winter Service Week and Alternate Spring Break opportunities offered by the Office of Campus Ministry.

Application/Eligibility

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Successful candidates will:

  • Demonstrate leadership potential and express willingness to promote diversity and inclusiveness beyond their school community
  • Be a member of a population that historically has been denied access to positions of influence (e.g. first-generation college students)
  • Possess a high school average of 85 percent or higher
  • Be a resident of the greater metropolitan Buffalo area
  • Demonstrate high financial need (must file for state and federal financial aid using FAFSA)

Requirements for Participation in the Program:

  • Four Foundational Team Learning Courses
  • A Two Week Summer Orientation Program
  • On Campus Residence
  • Four Leadership Workshops
  • Internships
  • Attendance/Commitment to Frequent ULLC Social Events

 How to Apply:

  • Submit an application for admission and the required application materials to Canisius University by February 15th.
  • Complete the ULLC application with required essay and submit it by the February 15th deadline.
  • File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
  • You may be selected to interview with Canisius University faculty to determine your knowledge of the program, commitment to its ideals and overall willingness to learn and grow within the ULLC community.
Bennie Williams

Contact Information

Director: Bennie D. Williams

For further information, please contact the program administrators at: