Dartmouth LEADS

About the Program

Over the course of the program, participants will:

• Create a personalized leadership development plan anchored in a 360-degree assessment of their unique strengths and growth areas.
• Create and present an Action Learning Project (ALP) that meets a departmental/divisional priority. The Presentation of the ALP will be to senior leaders, their cohort, and managers. The project does not need to be completed, but it should meet a departmental/divisional priority.
• Strengthen communication and leadership skills.
• Gain confidence to serve as a leader in their departments, teams, and divisions.
• Create a collaborative cross-institutional learning community.
• Learn and develop skills to create and maintain an environment that fosters diversity, inclusion, and equity.
  
  

Dartmouth LEADS is a selective program. Applicants must be nominated by their supervisor or a divisional leader in consultation with the nominee’s supervisor to apply. Applications do not guarantee participation in the program, as we aim to create a well-balanced and diverse cohort. 

The program runs every one and a half years; information for the 2027-2028 cohort will be available in early 2026. 

LEADS Nomination

Eligibility and Criteria

• Demonstrated high potential to be in a leadership position.
• Ability to commit to consistent attendance and participation in the nine-month program, which includes one day per month of learning, please note that the month of October has two learning dates, and up to six hours per month of additional learning.
• Positional authority within their team, committee, or department to lead and influence change.
• A demonstrated commitment to their leadership role, a willingness to be challenged and learn from experience, and an interest in cultivating self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
• Would benefit from cross-institutional exposure leading to the development of a professional network.
• The deadline to nominate an individual is, Monday, March 31, 2025.
• Interested nominees wishing to apply will need to submit an application, the signed letter of support from their supervisor, and an updated resume by the deadline. Deadline to apply is Friday, May 9, 2025.

The Role of the Supervisor

Supervisor commitment to these expectations is fundamental to program outcomes. If a supervisor is not able to commit, the participant's experience is compromised, therefore we cannot accept a participant if one's supervisor is unable to commit to these requirements.

Nominees must have a supervisor who is committed to playing an active role in the nominee's experience (should they be accepted).

The expectations of the supervisor are to:

• Sign a letter of commitment as part of the nominee's application process.
• Support the participant's time commitment to the LEADS program.
• Attend an introductory session to review the supervisor's role in the program.
• Conduct a monthly learning conversation with the nominee.
• Partner with LEADS participant to create an Action Learning Project, and offer support and guidance to the direction of the project.
  
  

Dartmouth LEADS Sessions:  2025 – 2026

Download the 2025-2026 LEADS packet

LEADS Kick-off Breakfast:

Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• Breakfast (for cohort and supervisors): 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.  
• Cohort Meeting: 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
• Cohort lunch: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  
  
  Opening Program Retreat Days

Monday, October 6, 2025, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and
Tuesday, October 7, 2023, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 7, 2023, 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Optional networking opportunity

Learning Days

• Tuesday, November 4, 2023, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Networking breakfast 8:30 - 9:00)
• Tuesday, December 2, 2023, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Networking breakfast 8:30 - 9:00) 
• Tuesday, January 13, 2024, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Networking breakfast 8:30 - 9:00) 
• Tuesday, February 3, 2024, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Networking breakfast 8:30 - 9:00) 
• Tuesday, March 3, 2024, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Networking breakfast 8:30 - 9:00) 
• Tuesday, April 14, 2024, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.(Networking breakfast 8:30 - 9:00) 
• Tuesday, May 5, 2024, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Action Learning Project Presentations 

TESTIMONIALS

"Being a member of the 23-24 LEADS Cohort was a truly pivotal experience for me as far as professional growth and development. Prior to joining the program, I was advancing in my career, but I struggled with self-confidence and relationship management as my positions became more visible within the organization. The assessments we completed during the LEADS program, coupled with the support of the cohort, allowed me the space to explore my strengths and identify the areas of growth opportunities. Additionally, the expansive panel of monthly speakers not only helped to decode a lot of these assessments, but offered practical, applicable tools that I could incorporate into my daily workflow immediately, with great results. As the program progressed, I could feel a difference in my confidence and demeanor in the workplace, and others around me took notice as well. At the conclusion of the program, which culminated in presenting my Action Learning Project, I was excited to stand in front of my cohort and present – something that I would never have been able to say prior to this program. On top of this professional growth, I have gained a network of peers that I can rely on for support and networking going forward. Overall, the LEADS program has proven invaluable to me, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking to further their leadership skills."

- Kristin Harrington (23-24 Cohort) 

"For me, the opportunity to participate in LEADS was a privilege that I am truly grateful for. The LEADS experience has set me up to be a confident and self-aware leader. The pace and design of the curriculum and experiences across the 9-month program gave me the time to engage, dig deep, and grow as a leader. From the very beginning of the application process, it was clear that LEADS was a well-organized and thoughtfully designed program; the first session really brought this to light as every small detail about the events of the day and the comfort of the participants had been thoroughly considered. 

In the members of my cohort, I found a wealth of knowledge and experience from different parts of Dartmouth that gave me insights in a broad variety of leadership challenges and mindsets. The extent to which we were able to be vulnerable with each other speaks to the effectiveness of exercises and activities that built a sense of physiological safety within our cohort and we hope to continue learning from each other going forward. I will continue to work on distilling the myriad lessons learned from LEADS.

The wide variety of speakers and coaches that I was able to interact with and learn from really helped me reflect on my strengths and add more skills to my leadership toolkit. I especially appreciated the opportunity to take the various leadership and personality surveys and then have the time to reflect on the results with experts in the area. LEADS focus was to find the best version of myself through the lens of leadership and not to worry about trying to fit into a prescribed version of a leader. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in leadership and I especially recommend it to those who aspire to be better leaders."

- Lilly Linden (23-24 Cohort)

"Participating in the 2023/24 LEADS cohort was an enriching experience, both personally and professionally. Motivated by a desire to take on new leadership responsibilities and build my leadership capabilities, I pursued the opportunity on strong recommendations from past participants.

LEADS utilized several personal assessments and a particularly impactful one for me was the Change Style Indicator assessment. My high Originator score stood out in our cohort, helping me understand my unique approach to change within my team, Dartmouth, and in higher education broadly. This insight has been crucial for improving my communication with those having different change style profiles.

The diverse backgrounds of cohort members brought perspectives from professionals across various campus departments, creating a dynamic environment where we could challenge and support each other’s ideas. Rev. Dr. Jamie Washington’s 4 "I"s of Oppression model, examining Ideological, Institutional, Interpersonal, and Internalized oppression, was particularly in our collective ongoing work to enhance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

One thing that LEADS emphasized is that leader is not necessarily a formal title but can happen from anywhere. Leading from where you are invited me to find and use my "leaderful voice" to confidently share my insights. Through my Action Learning Project, I developed Inspirational Leadership, which has been pivotal in a cross-campus project I was selected to lead following the program. 

The program cultivated a strong sense of community through monthly in-person meetings, small group discussions, accountable partners meetings, puzzle challenges, and many shared meals. The LEADS Cohort became a close-knit community, providing support not only in our professional lives, but through significant life events, such as welcoming a new baby and dealing with illness. 

Overall, the Dartmouth LEADS program has equipped me with the skills and confidence to embrace greater responsibilities and inspire others to grow as leaders. I highly recommend this program to anyone aiming to enhance their leadership abilities."

- Michael Goudzwaard (23-24 Cohort)

"Participating in the LEADS Cohort has profoundly impacted me both personally and professionally. Even before the first session, it was clear that the professional development team leading our cohort invested a lot of time, energy, and thought into designing a high-quality, enriching learning and growth experience. Our cohort was comprised of professionals from across Dartmouth, ensuring that our discussions and learning experiences were powerful and represented a diverse set of perspectives. One of the most significant aspects of the program was its emphasis on self-awareness and personal growth. Through various assessments and reflective exercises, I gained a deeper awareness of, and confidence in, my strengths, areas for improvement, and leadership style. This self-awareness has been invaluable in helping me become a more effective and self-assured leader. LEADS also provided practical tools and strategies that I could immediately apply in my role. Additionally, the program fostered a strong sense of community and support among participants. Networking and building relationships with other leaders were incredibly rewarding, as we shared experiences, offered advice, and supported each other throughout the journey. I now have a network of trusted peers to turn to for guidance and support. Overall, the Dartmouth LEADS program has equipped me with the skills and confidence to take on greater responsibilities and inspired me to continue growing as a leader. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to enhance their leadership capabilities."

- Courtney Rogers (23-24 Cohort)

"Dartmouth LEADS provided an experiential learning opportunity that allowed me to focus on and develop my natural strengths as an effective leader.  The program also fostered valuable connections with others from across the Dartmouth community. I am now able to connect, learn with and from, other College leaders across the campus. The program created time and space to develop my leadership skills, exposing me to new ways of thinking about what it means to be a leader. I am grateful for having been nominated to be part of the program and to continue my learning in partnership with my cohort as we continue to stay connected. I highly recommend Dartmouth LEADS for those seeking to bolster or refine their leadership style and gain confidence in applying and teaching others their newfound skills."

- Megan Holthoff (23-24 Cohort)