Leadership Emporia – Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce

The Emporia Area Chamber has proudly offered Leadership Emporia Academy since 1989 and has over 704 alumni from 37 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 give 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:

Learning skills and techniques to work with others, to create an environment for the better.
About being challenged to ask and answer tough questions about ourselves and our communities.
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:

Networking, although you will make great connections that will benefit you for years to come.
Learning about Emporia, although you will learn about the community.
The program is not what 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, Managing Self, and Intervening Skilfully. Participants must attend all sessions in order to complete the program.

Application Instructions and Process:

Information must be confined to the application.
All answers must be typed or handwritten legibly.
You may apply online at www.emporiakschamber.org/leadership-emporia-3/leadership-emporia/
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.
Applications deadline — Your application must be signed and received by 5:00 p.m., July 25, 2025, at the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, 719 Commercial St., Emporia, KS 66801.
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 me at the Chamber office office mmargeson@emporiakschamber.org or call (620)342-1600.

Sincerely,

Michelle Margeson
Director, Ignite Emporia

ATTENDANCE

The 2025 schedule is as follows:
Opening Retreat, Day One……………………Thursday, September 25, 2025 — 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Opening Retreat, Day Two……………………Friday, September 26, 2025 — 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Session #1………………………………………..Thursday, October 9, 2025 — 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Session #2………………………………………..Thursday, October 23, 2025 — 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Session #3……………………………………..Thursday, November 6, 2025 — 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Session #4………………………………………Thursday, November 20, 2025 — 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Session #5………………………………………..Thursday, December 4, 2025 — 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Celebration Luncheon………………………….Friday, December 12, 2025 — 11:45 a.m.

Attendance at the Opening Retreat, all program sessions, and the Celebration Luncheon is required. Sessions are held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 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, you and your company/organization will be responsible for the tuition fee of $425, which covers all costs including materials, meals, and other expenses associated with the sessions. The fee is due prior to the first session and is non-refundable. 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.

Leadership Emporia Application

Step 1 of 3

Last Name*
First Name*
Home Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code
Phone Number
Email*
Years in Emporia Area*
EMPLOYMENT
Present Employer*
Date Employment Began
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
Employer Address*
Employer Phone*
Present Title or Position*
Date Employment Began
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
Current Position Since (Date)*

GENERAL
As a community member, what do you consider your greatest responsibility to your community?*
When thinking about the future of your community, what excites you the most?*
What do you hope to gain from your Leadership Emporia Academy experience? What are your expectations?*
What do you hope to gain from your Leadership Emporia Academy experience? What are your expectations?*
What is your definition of Leadership? What does Leadership mean to you?*
ORGANIZATONS AND ACTIVITIES
Please list, in order of importance to you, any organization and/or committees you have been a member of (community, civic, professional, business, religious, social, athletic, and other). Please limit to past five years.

Organization	Aproximate Date	Position Held

Organization	Aproximate Date	Position Held

Organization	Aproximate Date	Position Held

COMMITMENT BY APLICANT
Please check to acknowledge your commitment:
- I understand that if selected, I must attend the Two-Day Opening Retreat, all sessions and the Celebration Luncheon. Additional time may be required for class exercises and presentations for the Celebration Luncheon.
Your typed full name, which represents your signature,*
First Last
Date
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
COMMITMENT BY EMPLOYER
Applicants for Leadership Emporia Academy must have the support and commitment of their employer or organization. Your direct supervisor’s signature is necessary as an indication of support for the applicant’s participation in the program.*
- I have my supervisor's approval to join Leadership Emporia.
Supervisor's Name*
First Last
Supervisor's E-mail Address
Phone Number

Leadership Emporia Application

Step 1 of 3

EMPLOYMENT

GENERAL

ORGANIZATONS AND ACTIVITIES

COMMITMENT BY APLICANT

COMMITMENT BY EMPLOYER