Collegiate Leadership prepares a diverse group of student leaders to have a positive impact on their future communities while they learn extensively about what makes Tampa Bay a favored place to live and work. Through experiential learning, students explore careers in the nonprofit, private, public, and philanthropic sectors. The program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and networks necessary to develop their professional lives and build a future as engaged Tampa Bay citizens through interactive and collaborative activities.
The 2026 class was made up of 30 students representing Saint Leo University, The University of South Florida, and The University of Tampa who have demonstrated leadership within their campus community, as well as academic success.
120+
Strategic Introductions Made
29
Attendance at Chamber Events
89%
Planning to Stay in Tampa Bay After Graduation
150
Total Alumni
3
Alumni Hired by the Tampa Bay Chamber
15+
Alumni Hired by Chamber Member Businesses
Accenture, ChappellRoberts, Citi, Crisis Center, Deloitte, Hillsborough College, Rapid7, SGD Communications, Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Tampa Downtown Partnership, Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, The Beck Group, USF Athletics, Vinik Sports Group & more!
A connection formed during a program day led Tye Fowler to hire Whitney Cherrelus at SGD Communications, where she began as an intern and later transitioned into a full-time role:
“I met Whitney while I was speaking at an entrepreneurial session at Embarc, where her leadership presence and quick wit immediately caught my attention. That moment led to a conversation about a marketing internship, and she showed up with consistency, coachability, and drive. Watching her growth made it clear she was ready, and now we’re excited to have her join our team full time.”
Programs like CLTB expose students to real-world industries, entrepreneurs, and leaders across Tampa Bay, while giving business leaders direct access to emerging talent.
“It’s a two-way street,” Amy Martinez-Monfort, Founder and CEO of Tampa Laundry Company explained. “Students learn about the opportunities here, and at the same time, Tampa gets to see the incredible talent coming out of our colleges and universities.”
Following a connection on a program day, she and CL ’26 alumni Samin Yasar, USF, began developing an app designed specifically for college students. The platform—set to launch soon—introduces innovative features that elevate the user experience.
“Having Samin’s perspective has been invaluable,” Amy shared. “He brings a real, in-depth understanding of what students actually want and need.”
"Collegiate Leadership has definitely helped me in my career. I was able to reach out to leaders we met during the program to ask for advice on applying to jobs in my field. It's always surprising to see how eager everyone is to help!"
– Judrich Raphael, Saint Leo University
"Professionally, I’ve leveraged both the skills and connections gained through the program. The emphasis on relationship-building and authentic engagement has strengthened my networking approach, and I’ve stayed connected with individuals from the program who continue to influence my leadership perspective."
– Atticus Bartlett, The University of Tampa
"I have learned a lot about the opportunities that exist in Tampa and the different industries I could work in. It definitely opened my horizons to new possibilities."
– Luana Laguna, University of South Florida
To lay the groundwork for Collegiate Leadership Tampa Bay participants while building relationships and setting the purpose for our journey.
To provide class members with an understanding of future involvement in Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay and other Chamber opportunities as well as determine the next steps in their leadership journeys. Each student receives a complimentary Emerging Leaders membership after they graduate.
