LeaderShape Institute

Thursday, May 8^th - Sunday, May 11^th, 2025

The LeaderShape Institute is an intensive four-day retreat that provides participants the opportunity for self-discovery, self-reflection and feedback in a community of approximately 60 peers. Not a typical leadership retreat, the Institute is grounded in helping individuals identify the values they hold that lead to making a difference in the communities around them. Through self-assessment, intensive small group discussions, team-building challenges and more, participants will develop a vision for something they care about. By leading with passion, integrity and a healthy disregard for the impossible, participants explore who they are and the impact that they want to have on communities, working towards a more caring, just and equitable society.

LeaderShape Defines Leadership

Leadership involved living in a state of possibility, making a commitment to a vision, developing relationships to move the vision into action, and sustaining a high level of integrity. Effective leadership takes place in the context of a community and results in positive change.

The Institute is Thursday - Sunday after finals (May, 8^th - 11^th, 2025). Lodging, meals, and leadership program activites will be provided during the four-day Institute. Transportation will be on the participant's own (location will be annouced shortly and will be local to the Columbia area).

Registration opens this fall. Registration is available for 60 students and is provided as first-come-first-served with a waitlist for students to be placed on in case a spot becomes available.

If you have any questions about the program or registration, please contact Audrey Ashburn or Joshua Cauble.

Additional Information:

Each participant has an opportunity to engage in reflection, planning, one-on-one interactions, small group feedback, and large group learning furing the four-day program. The institute environment resembles a laboraroty more than a formal classroom. Students are encouraged to practice new skills, give and recieve feedback from peers and faculty, and risk new behaviors in a safe, supportive atmosphere. Everyone at the Institute is a teacher and everyone is a learner.

60 students will be able to register for this program. Registrations will be on a first-come-first-served basis.

The Institute take participants on a journey of self-discovery and leadership that includes identification of passions and values, development of a powerful vision, and commitment to integrity.

Leadership and Service Center