Emerging Leaders Program

Active Involvement for the Common Good

The East Lansing Emerging Leaders Program is a year-long course in civic engagement that supports today's emerging leaders.

Participants will hone leadership skills by learning about a variety of topics through a lens of inclusion and public service. Participants will attend one session on the third Thursday of each month from January through November from 5-8 p.m.* and spend additional time on projects, assignments and discussion groups. Courses will be taught by a range of local business, community and government leaders at a variety of locations in East Lansing. 

*Please view the full program calendar to note variances from this outlined schedule

By the end of the year, graduates will:

• have a broad understanding of the community and municipal government;
• be able to view issues through a lens of equity and inclusion;
• become comfortable and skilled neighborhood leaders;
• serve as a community resource for information;
• be prepared to serve on a City-sanctioned board or commission;
• develop a network of neighborhood contacts; and be positioned to become positively engaged in community service.

Many graduates have gone on to serve as members of neighborhood associations, City boards and commissions and even East Lansing City Council. The application period for the 2022 program will be opening in late fall. Stay tuned for more details! Please contact Tom Fehrenbach, tfehren@cityofeastlansing.com or (517) 319-6887, with any questions.