The NCDA Leadership Academy
The Leadership Academy was created in 2006 with the goal of identifying and nurturing future generations of NCDA leaders. Every two years, approximately six to eight NCDA members will be selected to join this hands-on, highly experiential leadership development opportunity designed specifically for promising national and state career development association leaders.
Applicants selected to the NCDA Leadership Academy Class will:
- Attend a series of leadership workshops and training sessions during the NCDA annual conference.
- Learn more about NCDA's history, governance process, and strategic initiatives.
- Meet with current and past NCDA leaders in a small group environment, thereby increasing the opportunity for high quality, one-to-one interactions.
- Learn more about leadership opportunities within NCDA, including leadership positions associated with NCDA committees, councils, and task forces as well as state associations.
- Develop meaningful relationships with other NCDA members interested in leadership opportunities within the national and state organizations.
- Prepare for future leadership positions on state associations, state or NCDA committees or boards.
- Identify a twelve-month Leadership Action Learning Project selected from a list of Board and Committee identified needs or a relevant/related career information topic (see previous projects linked below). It may be helpful to review the NCDA 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. Research and complete the project with the support of selected members of the NCDA Board of Directors.
Provide a written report in advance of and short presentation on Project results at your “graduating” conference. - Maintain NCDA membership throughout your participation in LA.
NCDA Leadership Academy participants will benefit from:
- A $500 travel stipend (each year for two consecutive years) to support attendance at the next two NCDA annual conferences.
- Waived NCDA annual conference registration fees for two years.
- The opportunity to expand leadership potential and explore leadership opportunities through NCDA and state career development associations.
- Ongoing support and mentorship from an NCDA Board member.
The Next Class
The LA convenes a new class every two years. The next class' applications closed Nov 15th. They will meet in 2025.
Interested NCDA members need to apply:
All application requirements must be submitted by November 15th. Only complete applications received by the deadline will be considered.
Selections will be based primarily on an individual's promise for future leadership within NCDA and/or the state level and her or his commitment to the career development profession. Following an initial review of applications, the NCDA Board of Directors reserves the right to conduct phone interviews with applicants to narrow the pool of applicants to the six who will be selected to join the next NCDA Leadership Academy Class. Decisions regarding acceptance into the NCDA Leadership Academy will be made by the Leadership Academy Development Committee, subject to approval by the NCDA Board of Directors.
All notifications will be sent to applicants no later than January 30 of the year following application. The newly selected class of NCDA Leadership Academy will begin with a series of conference calls during the spring following their selection.
Application materials include:
- Leadership Academy Application - closed Nov 15th
- Resume or curriculum vitae outlining your professional and educational background and professional experiences - send to Melissa Venable at mvenable@ncda.org with subject line “Your First, Last Name: L.A. Application,”
- Two (2) reference letters endorsing your leadership skills and abilities, and specifically endorsing your promise as a future NCDA or state association leader. These letters should state why you would be a valuable participant in the NCDA Leadership Academy. Send to Melissa Venable at mvenable@ncda.org. Letters of recommendations may be submitted separately, with subject line “Your First, Last Name: L.A. Application.”
For questions, contact:
If you have any questions, please contact Leadership Academy Development Committee Co-chairs Sujata Ives (sujata.ives@gmail.com) and Rae Stout (rae@iamclinic.org), or Melisa Venable at mvenable@ncda.org
Leadership Academy Classes & Projects
Click on a year below to view the list of participants in a class and read about the many projects.
