U Chicago Launches Civic Leadership Academy to Coaching Chicago’s Emerging Leaders
A new program at the University of Chicago will help strengthen capacity within nonprofits and government agencies in Chicago by bringing together emerging leaders from both sectors to learn critical skills and the means to find solutions to challenges they face. The Civic Leadership Academy targets rising professionals in Chicago and Cook County. These academy fellows will benefit from rigorous coursework led by faculty from five UChicago professional schools (including the Booth School of Business), experiential learning and cross-sector collaboration.
A key component of the program will be a capstone project where each participant will apply knowledge and insights gained through the Academy to address a significant challenge facing their organization. Fellows will submit project ideas as part of the application. Individuals who complete the program will receive a certificate in civic leadership from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy.
The Civic Leadership Academy will offer sessions on Thursday evenings and all day on Fridays, every other week, for six months. The curriculum will include UChicago-faculty-led courses designed around cutting-edge approaches to leadership challenges, and will cover topics such as leadership, financing, human capital, data analytics and communications. Participants will apply knowledge and insights gained through the Academy toward a current project for their organizations. Participating organizations and agencies will receive a $2,000 stipend to use toward up to two University of Chicago courses offered through the Graham School. This stipend will allow the organizations to continue to invest in their rising leaders.
The full value of the Civic Leadership Academy is $25,000 per fellow. Thanks to a generous grant from the Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust, the University is able to offer the program at a cost of $5,000 per student. Financial assistance is also available.
The academy will be accepting applications for its first class of participants through Nov. 15, 2014. Courses will begin in January 2015. Applicants must be nominated by their organizations.
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Max Pulcini
Max Pulcini is a Philadelphia-based writer and reporter. He has an affinity for Philly sports teams, Super Smash Bros. and cured meats and cheeses. Max has written for Philadelphia-based publications such as Spirit News, Philadelphia City Paper, and Billy Penn, as well as national news outlets like The Daily Beast.
