Each year, the ASU Alumni Association accepts a cohort of up-and-coming and current leaders for a professional and personal leadership development program. This structured nine-month program takes an in-depth look at the university and its institutional objectives to demonstrate excellence, access and impact, and the importance of higher education.
Applications for the ASU Leadership Institute Class 7 will become available in January for the 2024-2025 school program.
During ASU Innovation Days, participants meet ASU renowned professors, practitioners and executive leaders and learn about how higher education, business and community can succeed together. The ASU Leadership Institute works to enlighten, inspire and transform leaders from diverse professions and communities.
The program is specially designed to help participants develop and understand critical leadership skills. The cohort will participate in a leadership assessment tool that will provide in-depth analysis and insights that identify key strengths to further develop and areas to enhance. Each ASU Innovation Day will feature a leadership panel or program showcasing top educators and experts in many fields, including business, consulting, nonprofit management, ethics, media and military service.
The institute aims to inspire leaders to innovate and strengthen their community. After completing the program, leaders will be equipped to serve on ASU boards, mentor students, create scholarships and serve as community ambassadors.
Questions about the ASU Leadership Institute? Contact Ellyse Crow, Director of Affinity Programs at 480-965-2464.
Apply
The ASU Alumni Association will be accepting applications for the ASU Leadership Institute Class 7 in January 2024 for the 2024-2025 school year.
Application to the ASU Leadership Institute is open to all degreed ASU alumni the private, public and nonprofit who have demonstrated community involvement through participation in at least two organizations and who were involved as a student in organizations and clubs on campus or are currently involved with ASU. The application for the upcoming leadership class opens every January.
The written application is weighted equally as the candidate interview. It is important that candidates devote adequate time to the written application. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. To complete the written application process, you must submit the online application and provide the following:
- Your resume.
- A personal statement of 300–500 words.
- One letter of recommendation from your current employer.
- A nonrefundable application fee of $50.
The program fee for the ASU Leadership Institute is $1,850 and is due by Aug. 31. Participants can avail of an early bird fee price of $1,600 if paid in full by Aug. 15. The program fee covers full participation in all ASU Innovation Days, all materials, and meals during the Institute.
A select number of candidates will be interviewed for approximately 30 minutes each by an ASU Leadership Institute selection panel. Applications will be scored by how well candidates demonstrate leadership competencies during the interview and the written application.
Applications for Class 6 have closed.
Criteria
The Class 7 program runs from August 2024 to May 2025, beginning with an orientation, continuing with one full program day each month and concluding with a graduation ceremony. In addition to attending the program, participants will be required to complete a team-based community impact project.
The requirements must be met to qualify for successful completion of the program. Attendance is mandatory at orientation, the first ASU Innovation Day and graduation (no exceptions). If you cannot commit to the schedule, please consider applying at a time when you can commit to the time requirements.
Requirements:
- Attendance on all program days. One excused absence is allowed to meet graduation requirements.
- Participation in an ASU/Sun Devil Impact Project.
- Attendance at orientation.
- Attendance at graduation.
- One-time participation in a panel.
Curriculum
The curriculum elements of the ASU Leadership Institute include Innovation Days, social events and the opportunity to participate in a panel.
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ASU Innovation Days: Once a month, from August to May, participants spend a day focusing on critical components of higher education and ASU. Each ASU Innovation Day features guest speakers who are experts in their respective fields. A tour of resources on ASU campuses is also included.
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Social events: Social events include opportunities to interact with your institute classmates through the ASU/Sun Devil Impact Project, opportunities to attend ASU athletic events and a leadership-style exercise.
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Panel element: Participants will be asked to share their insights with current ASU students, members of future ASU Leadership Institute participants of the program, the ASU Alumni Association Board of Directors and National Alumni Council, or the Trustees of ASU. This is a one-time commitment.
Class 6 schedule
Date |
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Wednesday, August 23, 2023 (Half day orientation) |
Friday, September 15, 2023 |
Friday, October 13, 2023 |
Friday, November 3, 2023 |
Friday, December 8, 2023 |
Friday, January 19, 2024 |
Friday, February 23, 2024 |
Friday, March 15, 2024 |
Friday, April 12, 2024 |
Friday, May 17, 2024 (Graduation) |
FAQs
The ASU Leadership Institute immerses leaders in the culture and assets essential to ASU’s future and the impact of higher education on society. During this structured nine-month program, participants will meet renowned professors and practitioners at ASU as well as university executive leaders. ASU Leadership provides a transformative experience inspiring leaders to innovate and strengthen our community.
This website serves as a guide to provide information about the program, application and selection processes, and answers to frequently asked questions about the program.
The program is open to all degreed ASU alums who are interested in serving their community and ensuring the future of higher education. We’re looking for Sun Devils who will enjoy spending focused time at their alma mater and with the leaders of the country’s No. 1 in the U.S. for innovation eight years in a row (U.S. News & World Report, 2022), who will successfully complete the program, and who will stay involved with ASU upon completion of this program.
The application process is open from January to May annually. Please submit your application here.
Absolutely. All participants will be required to fulfill time and project requirements at their own expense in addition to the application and tuition fees.
The time commitment for the ASU Leadership Institute includes nine ASU Innovation Days (8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.), the program orientation, graduation, ASU/Sun Devil Impact Project and one-time service on a leadership panel. Attendance is mandatory for the orientation, ASU Innovation Day #1 and graduation (absolutely no exceptions). If you cannot commit to the full schedule, please consider applying at another time when it better suits your schedule.
The program fee is $1,850 and due Aug. 31. There is early bird fee is $1,600 if paid in full by Aug. 15. The program fee covers full participation in all ASU Innovation Days, all materials and meals during the institute.
The ASU Alumni Association will reimburse 50% of the program costs if the participant withdraws prior to the start of the program. Due to the nature of the program, reimbursements are not available after the start of the program, and both the participant and their employer will be liable for any unpaid fee balance.
Employers benefit from an employee’s improved leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills. Through their employee’s involvement, employers gain access to a broad network of prestigious leadership contacts, extensive knowledge of higher education and its impact on society, and how the No. 1 university in innovation prepares the next generation of leaders. Through this nine-month program, participants will learn the value and strength of individual influence on effecting change.
Yes. All participants must have their employer’s permission to participate, and the participants must indicate the commitment on the application form.
Absolutely. In this case, please submit a letter of recommendation from another source such as a mentor, business partner, former professor, former colleague, etc.
After successful completion of the program, we want participants to stay involved in the ASU Leadership Institute, become involved in the university by serving on a board or council, help create and/or fundraise for student scholarships, serve as ambassadors for ASU in the community, and help ensure the ongoing success of this program.
Class 6 participants

Alicia Morrison Skupin

Austin Howe

Crystal Alvarez

Efraen Amarillas

Emily Hein

Emily Holden

Emily Soccorsy

Evener Scott

Hannah Hegsted

Herminio Meneses

Jon Dille

Kathleen Walsh

Kevin Pistole

Lesley Miller

Lindsay Penzenstadler

Micky Gutier

Nigel Pinto

Sarah Nicholas

Shalaka Sawant
