When fourth-year Trent student, Griffin Tinevez learned about the IMPACT Leadership Program at Trent, he knew he wanted to be involved. “I read through the description and really thought it was something I should do” said Mr. Tinevez.

And it’s a good thing he did. Mr. Tinevez has gained professional experience through IMPACT that will be invaluable as he begins his career. The IMPACT Leadership Program (IMPACT) is a one-year certificate program that Trent undergraduate students can participate in while they are obtaining their degree. Participants receive specialized leadership training, network with other Trent Students through a series of events and networking opportunities, as well as learn valuable professional skills in a volunteer placement. IMPACT coordinates volunteer placements with community organizations such as, the Youth Emergency Shelter and the Peterborough AIDS Resource Network, among many others.

Mr. Tinevez completed his volunteer placement with the Kawartha Land Trust, which aims to secure and protect ecologically significant land in the Kawarthas. He worked on using geo-spatial data, land surveys and aerial photos to help inform the Kawartha Land Trust on the land they should focus on securing by identifying the ecological characteristics and features of that land. By the end of Mr. Tinevez’s placement, he had an opportunity to present his findings to the Kawartha Land Trust Securement committee, who reported back to be quite impressed. “It speaks well to the (IMPACT) program itself and to Trent's dedication to leadership training,” said Bob Taylor-Vaisey, chair of the Securement Committee.

Undoubtedly, Mr. Tinevez’s education as an Environmental & Resource Studies student helped him gain the skills necessary to tackle the project given to him by the Kawartha Land Trust. Of his experience in the IMPACT Leadership Program at Trent and his time working with the Kawartha Land Trust, he notes: “both of these opportunities have undoubtedly prepared me for the future.”