Leadership Emporia

The Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce 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.
  • 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 26, 2024, 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 Jeanine McKenna at the Chamber office; 719 Commercial St. in the Trusler Business Center, telephone (620)342-1600, or email jmckenna@emporiakschamber.org.

Sincerely,

Jeanine McKenna
President & CEO

Schedule
Opening Retreat, Day One……………………Thursday, September 19, 2024 — 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Opening Retreat, Day Two……………………Friday, September 20, 2024 — 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Session One………………………………………..Thursday, October 3, 2024 — 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Session Two………………………………………..Thursday, October 17, 2024 — 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Session Three……………………………………..Thursday, October 31, 2024 — 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Session Four………………………………………Thursday, November 14, 2024 — 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Session Five………………………………………..Thursday, December 5, 2024 — 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Celebration Luncheon………………………….Friday, December 13, 2023 — 11:45 a.m.

You are required to attend the Opening Retreat, all program sessions, and the Celebration Luncheon. The sessions run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If an emergency arises and you have to miss a session, we ask that you meet with Jeanine McKenna to cover the information missed.

Tuition
If accepted into the Leadership Emporia Academy program, 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. 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.