Leadership Emporia Academy

Next class begins in 2027

The Emporia Area Chamber & Visit Emporia has proudly offered Leadership Emporia Academy since 1989, and has over 650 alumni from 36 classes.  In order to grow our communities, we must mobilize others to inspire a collective purpose for the common good. Individuals, businesses, and organizations must adapt to what is happening around them in order to survive.  Leadership Emporia Academy gives participants the tools to address the adaptive issues they face, and the courage to make progress on what they care about the most.

Leadership Emporia Academy IS:
1) Learning skills and techniques to work with others, to create an environment for the better.
2) About being challenged to ask and answer tough questions about ourselves and our communities.
3) Learning through powerful experiences that provide conceptual frameworks, skills, tools, and ways of being consistent with a more purposeful and collaborative leadership approach.

Leadership Emporia Academy IS NOT:
1) Networking, although you will make great connections that will benefit you for years to come.
2) Learning about Emporia, although you will learn about the community.
3) The program it was when it started in 1989.

Leadership Emporia Academy begins with a two-day opening retreat followed by five sessions. During these sessions participants will explore the KLC Leadership Competencies of Diagnosing the Situation; Energizing Others; Manage self; and Intervening Skillfully. Participants must attend all sessions in order to complete the program.

Application Instructions and Process:

• Information must be confined to the application.
• You may apply online below.
• Applications are subject to confidential evaluations, and class size is limited. If you are not selected for this year’s class, we encourage you to reapply next year. Applications are not held over for the following year.
• Application deadline: To be determined.
• Applicants will be notified of acceptance or non-acceptance within two weeks of the deadline.

We look forward to receiving your application. If you have any questions, please contact the Emporia Area Chamber & Visit Emporia office at chamber@emporiakschamber.org or call (620)342-1600.

Schedule
Opening Retreat, Day One…………………..Date to be determined
Opening Retreat, Day Two…………………..Date to be determined
Session #1……………………………………..Date to be determined
Session #2……………………………………..Date to be determined
Session #3……………………………………..Date to be determined
Session #4……………………………………..Date to be determined
Session #5……………………………………..Date to be determined
Celebration Luncheon………………………..Date to be determined

Attendance at the Opening Retreat, all program sessions, and the Celebration Luncheon is required. Sessions are held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In the event of an emergency that prevents your attendance, you are required to coordinate with a facilitator to review the material covered. Please note that failure to complete all sessions may result in ineligibility for graduation.

Tuition
If accepted into the Leadership Emporia Academy program, you and your company/organization will be responsible for the tuition fee of $425 for Chamber members and $475 for non-members, which covers all costs, including materials, meals, and other expenses associated with the sessions. The fee is due prior to the first session. Do not send payment with your application. You will be invoiced upon acceptance into the program. 

A limited amount of scholarship funding is available. The Selection Committee will award these funds based on need. Scholarship applications are due at the time you submit your Leadership Emporia Academy application. Late scholarship applications will be denied.