Catalyst: A Leadership Community

Catalyst is a transformational experience designed to challenge, support, and elevate emerging student leaders. Through this highly selective, cohort-based program, students will engage in guided self-reflection, intentional skill-building, and collaborative learning alongside a diverse group of peers and mentors.

As a Catalyst participant, you will:

• Discover and articulate your identities and core values - begin to align them with your goals and actions.
• Identify your unique strengths and growth areas - learn how to leverage feedback to grow with purpose.
• Communicate with empathy, validate others’ experiences - develop the skills to lead with compassion.
• Access and navigate resources to achieve your personal, academic, and career goals - inspiring others to do the same.

This is more than a leadership program. It’s a launchpad for confident, values-driven action; on campus, in your community, and throughout your career.

Program Commitment & Required Activities

Catalyst is a semester-long, cohort-based leadership experience that requires consistent participation and engagement. Students selected for the program are expected to commit to the following required components:

Orientation: Friday, February 5, 2026 (9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. OR 12:45 p.m. to 2 p.m)

Weekly Cohort Meetings (Required):

Participants will attend one weekly cohort meeting, each lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes, throughout the semester.

• The program kicks off the week of February 12 at the participant’s selected cohort meeting time.
• The program concludes the week of April 16 at the participant’s selected cohort meeting time.
• Multiple meeting times are offered, and applicants will be asked to rank their preferred cohort time during the application process.

Application & Selection Process

Students who meet the minimum qualifications will receive an invitation to apply by mid-December.

All applications must be submitted by January 14, 2027, at 11:59 p.m.

Students selected for the 2027 Catalyst Cohort will be notified on January 22, 2027.