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 2025 theme, “The Lore of Leadership” students will participate as a cohort in a summer pre-session 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 2025 Lead for Tomorrow Cohen Honors Leadership Academy in honor of the 5th anniversary of the academy is going international. This year’s Place as Text location is Edinburgh, Scotland exploring “The Lore of Leadership.” A more detailed travel itinerary will be provided to Academy students during the Spring 2025 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: Tuesday, May 20 - Friday, May 23, 2025 (on-campus, full day classes) 

Travel Dates: Monday, June 2 - Monday, June 9, 2025 (in Scotland) 

Final Community Partner Presentation Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 

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

Summer 2025 Pre-Session

May 20 - June 11, 2025

Pre-Session Course Dates: Tuesday, May 20 - Friday, May 23, 2025 (on-campus, full day classes 9am-4pm)

BREAK: Prepare for travel May 24 - June 1 (no-class meetings)

Travel Dates: Monday, June 2 - Monday, June 9, 2025 (in Edinburgh)

Final Community Partner Presentation Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Cohen Honors College students, you must be an admitted student in good standing within the honors college.

Cost associated with travel and the Lead for Tomorrow experience are covered by a gift from Dorothy and Bill Cohen. (Includes flights, housing, ground travel, most meals, and excursions)

International Location Cost (student responsibility) 

• Cost of tuition for the course (summer course, 3 credit hours)
• Passport Fees 
• International Health Insurance (information will be provided) 
• “Gap” Housing- extending time in residence halls during summer presession class time 
• Discretionary spending (i.e. souvenirs, snacks, admissions during free time) during our Place As Text trip

Flights

• Students will be expected to travel to and from Scotland as part of the group with Faculty Thought Leaders.  
• Students will not have the option to extend their travel time or take flights other than the group itinerary.  

Housing

• Students will stay at The University of Edinburgh on the Pollock Halls campus in Twin En-Suite rooms. 
• Class sessions, daily breakfast, and basic needs shopping are all available on property. 
• Wifi will be provided on campus in the housing and common areas.  

As part of the international Place as Text selection, Lead for Tomorrow has partnered with Wichita State University Study Abroad department and will expect students to follow Study Abroad best practices, travel paperwork, and procedures for Faculty-Led Study Aboard Travel Seminars.  

2021- Santa Fe, New Mexico | “The Stories We Weave: Understanding Culture and Community Through Visual and Verbal Stories”  

2022- Seattle, Washington | “Building Better Relationships: Connection, Collaboration, Communication, Comprehension”  

2023- Portland, Maine | “Connected Leadership: Creating a Community of Leaders”  

2024- Memphis, Tennessee | “The Rhythm of Leadership”  

2025- Scotland, United Kingdom | “Leadership & Lore”