LEAD SWVA

Learn  |  Engage  |  Aspire  |  Deliver

LEAD SWVA Logo"A regional leadership program for community-minded individuals in Southwest Virginia.

LEAD SWVA aims to empower individuals who want to grow professionally and support their communities through effective leadership. By developing essential skills such as communication, problem-solving, and team management, and by learning best practices in community engagement and project implementation, participants will enhance their ability to LEAD—Learn, Engage, Aspire, Deliver.

This program seeks to create opportunities for participants to build a robust network of social capital, increase awareness of the challenges facing communities in Southwest Virginia, and equip participants with the tools needed to engage and actively address critical issues across the region.

From May to November, members of the LEAD SWVA cohort will meet monthly in various localities for leadership workshops, program activities, and community visits to hear from local leaders and regional representatives, while visiting key sites and destinations. The program provides a hands-on experience and equips participants with practical skills, preparing them to complete a capstone service project to positively impact their own communities.

Application Deadline Extended to February 28th

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At-a-Glance

  • Seven month commitment
  • One or two day monthly sessions
  • Leadership skill-building workshops
  • Community-facing capstone project
  • Travel within SWVA to regional localities, economic development sites & attractions

Tuition

  • $1,500 | Scholarships available with demonstrated need

Tuition is offered at a discounted rate thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Anne & Gene Worrell Foundation.

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Program Timeline

December 1, 2024 – February 28, 2025
Applications Accepted

March 31, 2025
Notification of Acceptance

May 21 – 22, 2025
Orientation and SWVA Economic Forum (UVA Wise Campus, Wise, VA)

November 13, 2025
Graduation (Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Abingdon, VA)

Session Dates

  • June 12
  • July 10
  • August 14
  • September 18 & 19
  • October 9 & 10
R J

Richard
Johnson

Community Development Manager
kcy8xf@uvawise.edu
276-639-3879