Academy Highlights
Register now to attend the Chicago Undergraduate Leadership Conference! Hosted at the Kaplan Institute on April 20th, this all day event includes student presentations and workshops from 8 Chicagoland universities and a keynote address from the gloablly recognized co-founder of Leadership Initiatives, Marshall Bailly.
Join us for the Leadership Academy Seminars!
Open to any student at Illinois Tech, the Leadership Academy Seminars aim to provide attendees with an opportunity to learn about specific leadership topics in a fun and engaging way.
Each Seminar focuses on a particular topic in leadership and is lead by a presenter that has expertise in that area. The goals for each Seminar are:
- To teach attendees about the topic utilizing a non-lecture style through active learning, discussion, critical thinking, and group collaboration
- To prepare attendees to utilize the knowledge, skills, and tools learned in the Seminar in the classroom, workplace, or everyday life.
Each leadership Seminar lasts 4 hours (10:00 am - 2:00 pm) and will take place in Hermann Hall or the MTCC Ballroom. Lunch will also be provided to all participants.
2018-19 Leadership Academy Seminar Recap - click on Seminar title for more information:
- Saturday, October 13th, 2018: Exploring the Science of Leadership
- Saturday, November 17th, 2018: Finding Your Leadership Voice
- Saturday, February 2nd, 2019: Strategic Thinking and Leading Change
- Saturday, March 9th, 2019: The H-Factor: Humility as a Key to Leadership Effectiveness
About the Academy
Founded in 2000, the M. A. and Lila Self Leadership Academy at Illinois Tech is an undergraduate education initiative that trains students to be capable leaders and empowers them to inspire the same in others. Sponsored through generous gifts from M. A. (Al) and Lila Self, and John Mitchell, the academy works to:
- Create and implement an effective leadership-development program for all undergraduate students at Illinois Tech
- Promote a culture of leadership and innovation across the Illinois Tech community
- Identify, develop, and support students with exceptional leadership potential
- Evaluate leadership development outcomes at the individual and program levels
Joining the Leadership Academy
To apply for membership in the Leadership Academy, candidates must complete a comprehensive electronic application. An interdisciplinary team of faculty and staff evaluates each application using a standardized scoring rubric. Promising candidates are invited to a half-day simulation designed to assess their current leadership abililities and potential; professionally trianed assessors from Illinois Tech's Department of Psychology observe, record, and score the simulation exercises.
Programming and Participant Benefits
Scholarships
Significant multi-year tuition scholarships for undergraduate students. Click here for application information
View the current and alumni Scholars
Mentors
Assignment to mentors and leadership apprenticeship programs
Coaching
Individual coaching and mentoring from the executive director and program manager
Seminars
Five leadership development seminars per academic year. Check them out here
Capstone
Senior capstone project where students in their final year of the Academy design, develop, and deliver a four-hour, campus-wide leadership workshop
Retreats
Sophomore Leadership Retreat—a 2-½ day retreat in the woods of Michigan focused on building leadership and team skills. Sign up for the 2018 Retreats is closed.
Networking
Attending Chicago civic group meetings, meeting with individual members of the Illinois Tech Board of Trustees, and attending an annual luncheon with alumni of the academy