Registration is closed for the 2023–2024 Emerging Leadership Project. Applications for the 2024–2025 cohort will open in spring 2024.
The Emerging Leadership Project is a year-long program focusing on leadership development and service.
This program was intentionally designed for ALL students, regardless of their previous experience with leadership or service. We have created the Emerging Leadership Project to offer students a highly impactful and comprehensive co-curricular leadership development experience. Participants will be able to apply the skills learned in this program to all aspects of their college career, as well as their future endeavors.
Students will complete the Emerging Leadership Project as a small cohort, coming together for weekly meetings (weeks 2–8 of each term) that are designed to be engaging, fun, and impactful. Program participants will also connect with our community by performing service with local organizations.
“I've found the program to be really empowering. I'm learning so much from my peers and feel inspired by the environment.”
“The Emerging Leadership Project is an amazing way to connect with students from different backgrounds. I have met so many people that I would not normally get the chance to interact with, and learned a lot about how our identities, racially, culturally, etc., affect our leadership styles.”
“It is a crafted/intentional space for students from all fields and degree types to connect and discuss topics related to people, land, and social issues as intertwined discussions.”
The 2023–2024 Cohort
The 2023-2024 Emerging Leadership Project cohort will begin in fall term 2023, and meet during weeks 2–8 of fall, winter, and spring terms. Cohort meetings will take place on Wednesdays from 4:00–5:30 p.m.
What Will I Get Out of the Emerging Leadership Project?
- Leadership Skill Development: This program is designed to develop your leadership skills through intentionally crafted workshops and experiential application. During the program we will take a deep dive into exploring your strengths, identities, and passions and how they intersect with leadership. We will also teach tangible leadership skills, such as facilitation, conflict resolution, inclusive practices, and much more.
- Direct Service Experience: By the end of the program, students will complete at least 20 hours engaging in service in our local community. Students will also have the opportunity to design their own service project. To assist you in this process, we will provide one-on-one mentorship and help you make connections with community partners.
- Career Readiness: The program has been designed to help students develop the skills most sought after by employers, such as problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, communication, and more. Before you finish the program we will work with you to help craft impactful application materials that best highlight your skills and experiences.
- Community and Connections: Students will spend a year together as a cohort, allowing you to build genuine and long-lasting friendships. Additionally, this program will help you make valuable networking connections with UO staff and community members.
What Will the Year Look Like?
Each quarter will focus on different themes and teach different skills. Here is a snapshot of what each quarter will look like:
QUARTER #1: Fall 2023
- Leadership skill development
- Inclusive leadership practices
- Understanding how our identities influence leadership
- Identifying and utilizing our leadership strengths
- Aligning our leadership practices with our values
- Overcoming imposter feelings
QUARTER #2: Winter 2024
- Strategies for building a community and managing group dynamics
- Learn about social issues facing our local community
- Learn strategies for working with community partners
- Balancing leadership and responsibilities
- Project management skills
QUARTER #3: Spring 2024
- Taking a critical lens to service
- Conflict resolution skills
- Introduction to civic engagement
- Equitable and anti-racist leadership practices
- Holistic reflection on applying leadership skills
- Career readiness skills, including networking and application materials
Who Can Apply for Emerging Leadership Project?
The program was designed for all students, regardless of class-standing, GPA, major, or previous leadership experience. The only requirement is that your anticipated graduation date must not be before spring 2024.
Opportunities for Funding Your Service Project
- Interested in environmental justice? As part of the Just Future Initiative at the University of Oregon, the Student Sustainability Center is excited to launch the Environmental Justice Fellows cohort in collaboration with the Emerging Leadership Project. The fellowship awards $1,500 to students dedicated to helping their communities by becoming an environmental justice leader, and an additional $1,000 will be provided to help fund their environmental justice-related projects. Students can apply for the fellowship at the same time they apply for the Emerging Leadership Project.
- Students interested in developing their own service project can apply for up to $1,000 to fund service projects that are providing a service to a community organization, through the Holden Center's Service Grants program. Students will have the opportunity to apply for a grant after Emerging Leadership Project begins.
Have Questions?
Email us at holdenleadership@uoregon.edu.
Application Information
Registration is closed for the 2023–2024 Emerging Leadership Project. Applications for the 2024–2025 cohort will open in spring 2024.