Rising Leaders Program

The Rising Leaders Program (RLP) is a professional development experience for both secondary school and college/university admission colleagues. The RLP is an opportunity to come together, develop new leadership and management skills, and gain new tools to become even more well-informed, independent and motivated professionals and become more involved in the leadership and programming in the college admissions profession.

Unlike other NEACAC professional development programs, participants work closely with an assigned,  experienced mentor over the course of an entire year.  During the program, participants meet and become acquainted with their assigned mentor, attend leadership development sessions, and are introduced to the curriculum for the following year, which includes working on a project of their choosing which may address an issue they wish to tackle in college admissions or may support NEACAC programs already in progress. Subsequent to the summer program,  Rising Leaders and their mentors meet or communicate on a regular basis to work through their project and address issues and challenges we all face in our professional lives. The program focuses on the development of communication skills, managing roles and expectations, organization and time management, networking,  and ethical leadership. 

 
The 2019 RLP Participants at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

The most recent Rising Leaders Program was held virtually Wednesday, June 23- June 24, 2021*. The program is best suited for professionals already engaged in the college admission and counseling fields for 3-6 years who wish to become leaders in the field, at their institutions, and within NEACAC. Space is limited to approximately 12-15 participants, paired with 6-8 mentors, and there is no cost for participation. 

Be a Rising Leaders Program Mentor!

RLP faculty/mentors come from both college admission and secondary schools and should have a minimum of five years experience and a desire to share their knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm with those who are new to the profession.  The RLP faculty will help design and deliver the curriculum for the 2 1/2 day program which will likely take place in mid/late June - official dates and location TBD. Planning for the June RLP will begin in the winter 2025-2026, and faculty will continue as mentors for 2-3 participants for one year following the program. Mentorship will include regular meetings with participants and a full group meeting at the Annual Meeting & Conference.

Please use this form to apply to be a RLP mentor.

If you have any questions, please contact program Chair, Courtney Nardo, at [email protected].

*Please note, The Rising Leaders Program is typically held every other year.