Approximately 50 participants are chosen from the pool of applicants to create a diverse class with respect to several factors, including occupation, leadership experience, ethnicity, gender, age, geography, cultural perspective, and time in the community.
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications:
- At least three years work experience
- Cannot be a candidate for public office at the time of application
- Willing and able to commit the time and resources to fully participate in the program
- Upon graduating, willing and able to volunteer 20 hours of service to Leadership Asheville, or the UNC Asheville programs over the span of 2 years
LA seeks individuals who are:
- Passionate about strengthening community and civic awareness, commitment, and involvement
- Curious and comfortable communicating their ideas
- Interested in their community and committed to making a difference
- Open-minded
- Willing to take risks
- Clearly able to work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds
- Prepared to mobilize other community members
- Motivated and interested in new learning, self-discovery, community exposure, and networking
- Ready to use their LA Program experience in serving the community
In order to complete the LA Program, participants are required to:
- Attend a mandatory orientation session
- Attend a mandatory two-day, two-night opening retreat
- Attend program days from September to May
- Engage in pre and post-class reflections, exercises, and reading assignments
- Participate in and contribute to a small team project and other activities that may take at least 20 additional hours outside of scheduled meeting times