The Leadership Academy, part of the original Cohen gift strives to be a curricular program that engages students in contemporary research and scholarship based on an annual theme, question, or issue. For the 2024 theme, “The Rhythm of Leadership” students will participate as a cohort in a May Presession course including a Place as Text travel experience and a design thinking focused project culminating in pitches to the faculty thought leaders and our annual community partners.

Honors students have big dreams and ask big questions that don’t fit neatly into disciplinary models and majors. The academy is envisioned to be a transformative leadership experience that brings together collaborative dual intellectual communities.

First, a team of faculty thought leaders will collectively imagine an interdisciplinary course focused on the annual theme and leadership- exploring tension, challenges/problems, and big ideas. Second, the students will create another layer in the intellectual community and are invited to engage with the faculty thought leaders in a process that is aimed at deepening understanding, integrating collective and individual experiences through course work and travel with the goal of sparking ideas, solutions, policy, and project pitches. 

The 2024 Lead for Tomorrow Cohen Honors Leadership Academy destination is Memphis, Tennessee full of history and a music mecca of blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll. A more detailed travel itinerary will be provided to Academy students during the Spring 2024 semester. Our Place as Text experience will be a time to build understanding, develop leadership skills, and connection with fellow students and faculty.

Pre-Session Course Dates: Monday, May 13- Thursday, May 16, 2024 (on-campus, full day classes)

Travel Dates: Friday, May 17 - Wednesday, May 22, 2024 (in Memphis)

Final Community Partner Presentation Date: Thursday, May 23, 2024

**Please note dates and locations subject to change due to logistical needs or changes.

 

Contact Chelsea Redger-Marquardt Chelsea.Redger@wichita.edu 

Summer 2024 Pre-Session

May 13- May 24, 2024

Pre-Session Course Dates: Monday, May 13- Thursday, May 16, 2024 (on-campus, full day classes)

Travel Dates: Friday, May 17 - Tuesday, May 21, 2024 (in Memphis)

Final Community Partner Presentation Date: Thursday, May 23, 2024

Students will be responsible for the cost of tuition for the course (summer course, 3 credit hours). Cost associated with travel and the Lead for Tomorrow experience are covered by a gift from Dorothy and Bill Cohen. Students are responsible for any discretionary spending (i.e. souvenirs, snacks, admissions during free time) during our Place As Text trip.