Leadership Columbia Class of 2020 Application

The Leadership Columbia Class of 2020 has been chosen. Applications for the next class will open January 2020.

WHAT IS LEADERSHIP COLUMBIA?
Founded by the Columbia Chamber in 1972, Leadership Columbia is a 10-month program designed to provide our community with an enduring source of diverse leaders who are prepared and committed to serving their region.

A skills-building program, Leadership Columbia aims to: identify and motivate emerging community leaders; provide an educational experience with a strong emphasis on social and community awareness; and challenge participants to apply their talents within their community while providing an opportunity to become involved. If you are invited to participate, we are confident that it will be an enriching, engaging, and an inspiring journey that will not be forgotten. 

HOW ARE CANDIDATES CHOSEN?
Each year, approximately 60 candidates are chosen based on community involvement, capacity for leadership, commitment to improving the Midlands, and an interest in enhancing their capabilities. Applications are blindly evaluated by Leadership Columbia alumni and applicants are interviewed by an alumni panel. The combination of the application and interview scores are used to determine the class. Candidates will be notified of their selection status in July 2019.

Please understand that Leadership Columbia selection is highly competitive processes. The number of applications we receive always exceeds the number of participants we can accommodate. Therefore, if you are not invited to participate in this class, please do not be discouraged. It is not uncommon for an applicant to apply more than once before being offered an invitation to participate.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?
Beginning with an orientation in August, class members will attend a mandatory two-day retreat, nine full-day class days, and a graduation ceremony. In addition, each candidate is required to participate in the class project as well as various community events and volunteer opportunities.

TUITION AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Tuition for Columbia Chamber Partners is $2,100 and Non-Partners is $2,675. If you are unsure if your organization is a Partner of the Chamber, please view the online directory. Tuition may be paid in four quarterly installments. Two partial scholarships will be available dependent on a need-based. For more information please contact Charlotte at cbian-lingle@columbiachamber.com.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Before completing the online application, prepare. Selection is based on the information included in the application, and great weights is given to your essay responses. No paper applications will be accepted.

To apply click 'Register Now,' if you are a Chamber Partner and have a Chamber Master log-in name and password enter it on the left. If you are not a Chamber Partner or cannot remember your log-in information, simply click the link under 'Not a Partner.'

Once you have successfully paid your application fee, you will be directed to a confirmation window containing a link to the online application. No applications will be accepted without payment confirmation. 

In-person interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Once you have submitted your online application, you will be contacted in order to schedule your interview.