About
The Student Changemaker Certificate is a cohort-based learning experience for MRU students to engage in and apply systems-thinking approaches to a complex, systemic issue while deepening their capacity to make meaningful change. Students develop foundational skills to navigate complex issues impacting people and the planet. The Student Changemaker Certificate serves as a prerequisite to Catamount and a primer for Map the System and is offered in the fall term each year.
What you'll experience
You’ll develop foundational skills to navigate complex issues impacting people and the planet. At the onset of the certificate, you will create your own learning goals working towards core changemaker competencies. The learning journey is centred in ways of being, knowing, and doing, while applying systems thinking approaches to enhance your capacity as a changemaker.
Learn systems thinking approaches
Practice applying systems thinking approaches to a peer-identified complex, systemic issue.
Develop self-reflection practices
Explore what self-reflection means to you while applying reflective practices through your learning journey.
Enhance your community engagement skills
Develop an understanding for how to apply participatory approaches to community engagement.
Who is this for?
The Student Changemaker Certificate is open to students from across academic disciplines.
You would be a good fit for the Student Changemaker Certificate if:
- You’re passionate about the future well being of people and planet
- You have a willingness to wrestle with challenges and complex issues facing the 21st century
- You enjoy brainstorming big ideas that have the potential to create change
- You’re in Good Standing academically (note: there is no minimum GPA)
- You're a student at MRU with a minimum of 45 credits towards your degree or 15 credits towards your diploma
- You’re able to commit between 4 - 8 hours per week throughout the fall term
- You're able to attend in-person cohort gatherings from 10:00am - 1:00pm on Fridays from September through November.
Program details
Timeline
August 1 - Recruitment launch
August 6 - Virtual Student Changemaker Info Session (register here)
August 14 - Applications Close
August 25 - Orientation Session
September 3 - Participants Selected
September 11 - Opening Retreat
November 20 - Student Changemaker Celebration
How to apply
Applications for the Student Changemaker Certificate will open on August 1, 2026.
Want to be informed once applications open? Complete the form below to receive updates for this year’s Student Changemaker Certificate.
Want to learn more?
Come learn about the Student Changemaker Certificate, the Catamount Fellowship, and other student learning opportunities in how to navigate complex issues impacting people and the planet. Join us on August 6th, 2026 from 12:00-1:00pm MST for the virtual Info Session. RSVP using the link below to attend or to receive the session recording.
What's next
Once you’ve completed the Student Changemaker Certificate, you can apply this learning in practice through Catamount and/or Map the System.
When is Catamount offered? Catamount is offered in the winter term each year. Applications open mid-November. Visit the Catamount page for more information.
When is Map the System offered? Student registration at Mount Royal launches November 1st. Visit the Map the System MRU page for more information.
Questions
Contact Cordelia Snowdon-Lawley at csnowdon@mtroyal.ca.
The Student Changemaker Certificate is made possible thanks to the Suncor Energy Foundation