Leadership Wisconsin Program

Award-winning program and cutting edge curriculum recognized as a model for community leadership programs. The fellows’ experience is like having a backstage pass to a concert or theatre production. Through a range of educational strategies fellows are exposed to people, ideas, and issues they would not otherwise encounter. A combination of real world learning experiences, classroom activities, and field experiences, are organized into a series of practical seminars over a two-year period. Fellows meet and network with over 400 resource people from varied disciplines and professions annually through our partnerships with the University of Wisconsin System, business and community leaders. Fellows will travel to other parts of our state, our country, and the world to encounter a variety of cultural, social and economic settings and broaden their perspectives on a range of current, cutting-edge themes and issues.

They gain analytical tools, sharpen their communication skills and engage in a growing network of leaders. In all, this requires 53-55 days. In addition, there is travel time to and from each seminar along with pre-seminar preparations. The time commitment for the program should not be minimized since fellows are expected to take part in all seminars.

Seminars

A series of eight three-day seminars explore such topics as state government, leadership, urban issues, individual/community rights, diversity, technology, global economics, and the environment. All in-state seminars begin on Wednesday morning and end on Friday afternoon. Learn more

A one-week seminar held in Washington, DC, involving top federal leaders, focuses on national issues including governmental organization, formation of policy, international trade, leadership, societal change, and international economics. Learn more

A one-week seminar is held in another state other than the Midwest, studying a region very different than where participants live and work. Fellows will explore the issues, concerns, challenges, and barriers encountered by leaders outside of the Midwest. Learn more

A two-week seminar is conducted in another country to expose participants to international political and social issues, as well as international trade and development. Past seminars have been in Russia, Jamaica, China, Brazil, Poland, Mexico, Hungary, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Chile, Argentina and India. Learn more