THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

Institute for Leadership Advancement

Enhancing leadership skills for students for 10 years!

Higher GPAs

Students who participate in ILA programs earn high GPAs

50+

Strategic partners that facilitate workshops, lead speaker series’, provide internships, mentorship, and more

$2M+

Contributed towards student opportunities and experiences

About Institute for Leadership Advancement (ILA)

The Institute for Leadership Advancement offers The University of Akron’s only comprehensive academic and co-curricular leadership programs to students of all academic majors and interests. Established within the College of Business Administration in 2012 through a gift from The J.M. Smucker Company, the Institute for Leadership Advancement was envisioned to develop new leaders who will positively affect business for future generations.

Why Join ILA Program?

Expert faculty and industry professionals lead our classes and programs for a theory-to-practice experience that prepares our students to hit-the-ground running upon graduation. We provide opportunities through academic courses, co-curricular workshops and events, global immersions, leadership projects, and more. These meaningful experiences – both practical and through innovative leadership projects – prepare our students to grow into strong, impactful leaders.

Programs

Leadership Designation Program

The Leadership Designation Program is a multi-level, comprehensive leadership program designed to empower students to make meaningful differences wherever their paths take them. The Leadership Designation Program provides many high-impact, experiential learning activities to prepare students to lead effectively at any level of an organization. This program is open to all UA students.

Students are placed into cohorts and move through workshops and speakers together at each level intended to help them gain insights into how their knowledge is applied in real-world settings, all while making connections with professionals. Students may complete one, two, or all three levels of the program, earning a certificate for each level during our annual Advancing Leaders Recognition Reception in April.

Rising Leaders: Personal Mastery, Ethics & Integrity | Cohort Days, Mondays & Thursdays from 5:00-7:00pm

Required Workshops

Orientation
Resiliency & Commitment
Be a Leader Worth Following
Strengths Seminar
Emotional Intelligence
Ethical Lens

Additional Requirements

Attend 3 speakers on campus
Join a student organization
Complete Rising Leaders Reflection Paper

Established Leaders: Team & Interpersonal Development | Cohort Days, Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 5:00-7:00pm

Required Workshops

Orientation
Supportive Communication
Working with Civility
Building a Team
Enhancing Decision-Making

Additional Requirements

Attend 3 speakers on campus
Serve in a leadership role – student organization, on-campus job, etc.
Participate in the Established Leaders Closing Competition

Experienced Leaders: Community Impact Project

Requirements

Complete Rising Leaders, Established Leaders, and enroll/complete BUSN 200

How to Get Started:

Apply for the Leadership Designation Program

Global Leadership Initiative

The Global Leadership Initiative is one of the Institute’s signature programs. It gives students the opportunity to experience new cultures, practice leadership in diverse settings, and become comfortable being uncomfortable.

Past initiatives include trips to Italy, Jamaica, Haiti, Arizona, and Ecuador. Since 2013, more than 170 students have had the opportunity to experience leadership in a different country.

Trips are open to any student on campus, regardless of major, and are led by UA faculty/staff members and student leaders.

Upcoming Trips

Coming Soon!

E-mail leadership@bj7dian.com for more information on how the Institute can add to your success (general inquiry, a staff member will respond to schedule a one-on-one meeting)

BUSN 200: Personal Leadership Skills

Leadership and problem-solving go hand-in-hand. BUSN:200 Personal Leadership Skills is a unique course that jointly develops both skills through hands-on learning experiences which take place over two, eight-hour Saturday sessions.

On the first Saturday of class, students are bused to Camp Garfield in Ravenna, OH, where they take part in a low ropes course with the guidance of the University of Akron Army ROTC. Here, students are outside of their comfort zones, immersed in a unique culture, learn how to work with and solve problems with new people.

The second Saturday of class brings the students back to campus where they use their experiences with the Army to guide them through trainings and conversations on emotional intelligence, ethics, and other important personal leadership skills.

Each year, more than 200 students complete this course, making it a favorite on campus. The partnership with the US Army has allowed us to sustain this course and brings together students and ROTC cadets for valuable leadership training.p>

Students who wish to complete a Community Impact Project are required to complete Personal Leadership Skills BUSN:200 prior to starting. It is suggested they enroll during Rising Leaders to have enough time to complete.

How to Get Started: All students can enroll by visiting My Akron and searching for the class in Workday. Enroll now!

Summer Leadership Academy

The Summer Leadership Academy is a five-week program for incoming first-year College of Business (CoB) students to immerse themselves in the University of Akron Experience through living on campus, taking CoB core classes, and participating in professional development activities. Students will be enrolled in two courses to get a head start, as well as take part in many activities that will happen outside of the classroom, including coaching, mentoring, and company visits with successful businesses located within walking distance of campus.

Learn more

Diamond Graduate Women’s Leadership Xperience

The Diamond Graduate Women’s Leadership Xperience offers inter-disciplinary graduate-level women the opportunity to develop advanced professional, leadership, and communication skills. Students will receive advanced training in personal leadership, communication, and interviewing, receive one-on-one career coaching and mentorship, engage in unique networking situations with high-level professionals from industry, learn of various employment opportunities, and create rewarding relationships with an interdisciplinary group of like-minded colleagues. Full completion of the program will result in a certificate of completion signed by the Dean of the College of Business and award of accomplishment.

The program runs from January – December, with structured experiences during Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters. Applications open each October with screening and committee decisions commencing in December. E-mail leadership@bj7dian.com for more information.

Students working together on their final project with a staff member

Community Impact Project

The Community Impact Project encompasses the capstone of the Experienced Level of the Leadership Designation Program. Once students have completed the Rising Leaders and Established Leaders levels of the program, they have the option of completing the Experienced Level, which includes a project focus on a specific social issue that benefits both The University of Akron and Northeast Ohio communities. Students who develop a Community Impact Project receive up to $2,000 to complete a final project with up to 3 other team members. Students work with Leadership Institute staff to develop this project and propose.

These projects are action-oriented projects and can include a research component based on the topic. The funding of these projects allows students to take a risk, diversify their academic experience and receive opportunities that will help them stand apart from other college graduates. Students can use their funding for travel opportunities, research, programming, materials, technology, and more.

Past projects include:

developing leadership trips to Haiti and Jamaica
bringing a TEDx Talk to UA
partnering with local schools and creating a community garden
supporting local philanthropic work
developing a Human Trafficking awareness program
financial literacy program for underprivileged youth
creating and legally organizing a local nonprofit

My classes helped me prepare for the actual work I was doing, while the Institute for Leadership Advancement helped me prepare for everything else in between.

Norman Elias

'22 Accounting

A big component of my growth was my ability to be a part of the Institute for Leadership Advancement.

Isabela Schroeter

'24 Business Administration

Participating in the Institute for Leadership Advancement has shaped not only my leadership capabilities but also my approach to life in general.

Saron Girma

'27 Marketing

FAQs

Any student currently enrolled at The University of Akron.

Most of the programs are free for all students. The Global Leadership Initiative is the only one that will come with a cost and it is dependent on the location.

Most programs can be completed in one semester. They all range from one day, to a weekend, to a few weeks, to an entire year.

Contact Us Today!

Anthony J. Alexander Professional Development Center | College of Business, 161
Book An Appointment | leadership@bj7dian.com