Application Info

Apply to the Leadership Academy

To apply to the Leadership Academy, students must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Be a current William States Lee College of Engineering undergraduate student.
  • Have completed their sophomore year in the college, or attended the college for one year.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75.
  • Early college high school, dual-enrolled and new transfer students are also eligible if they earned a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA from all previous institutions.

Students must complete all application requirements below to be considered:

  • Fill out the APPLICATION
  • Have two Leadership Academy Reference Forms submitted on their behalf.
  • Register and participate in an interview (Interview Sign-up link is found in the Application).
  • Students must be available to attend the off-campus weekend kick-off module for their cohort (currently planned for August 22-23, 2026).

Spring Application Dates

  • Spring Application for the 2026 (Cohort 23) will be available- February 17, 2026.
  • Application & Reference Deadline – March 6, 2026 prior to 5:00pm.
  • Spring Interviews – The week of March 16, 2026.
  • Spring Applicant Notification – The week of March 23, 2026.

Cohort Module & Retreat Dates

Cohort 21 (2023 – 2025) congratulations ~~ Graduated April 26, 2025
  • Capstone Project Showcase and Graduation — Cohort 21 Graduate April 2025
Cohort 22 (2024 – 2026)
  • Module 1 Retreat:  Introduction to Leadership – Friday, October 25, 2024, 2:30 PM until Sunday, October 27, 2024, 3:30 PM; The Summit, Haw River State Park, Brown Summit, NC
  • Module 2 Retreat:  Exploring Ethics and Values – Friday, January 31, 2025, 2:30 PM until Sunday, February 02, 2025, 3:30 PM; William Black Lodge, Montreat, NC
  • Module 3 Retreat:  Conflict Resolution and Crucial Conversations – Friday, March 21, 2025, 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM; Saturday, March 22, 2025, 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM; UNC Charlotte Campus Location TBD
  • Module 4 Retreat:  Strategic Planning for Life – Friday, September 19, 2025, 2:30 PM until Sunday, September 21, 2025, 3:30 PM; Laurel Ridge, Laurel Springs, NC
  • Module 5 Capstone Project:  Serving the World Around You – Fall 2025 until February 2026
  • Capstone Project Showcase and Graduation – April 11, 2026, Saturday evening, Student Union