HIGHER Ground Leadership Development Program Application

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HIGHER Ground Leadership Development Program Application

Thank you for applying to the HIGHER Ground Leadership Development Program. The application will ask for different types of information, including completion of a professional reference form (the link is embedded in the application), a personal statement, and CV/resume. You will be able to close out and return to the form, as your data will be saved.

Our 2026 HIGHER Ground Program dates are: February 9 and 10, March 9 and 10, April 7 (Retreat), May 11 and 12, June 8 and 9, and June 19 (Graduation).

Applications are due December 1, 2025.

First Name

* must provide value

Preferred Name(s)

Last Name

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Phone Number

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Email Address

Alternate Email (for alumni communications)

How did you hear about this program?

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If other, please specify:

Professional Title

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Organization

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Organization Street Address
(include city, state, zip code)

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How would you classify where you currently are in your career?

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Approximately how long have you been in your current position?

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Approximately how many people do you directly supervise?

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Upload CV/Resume as a word document or PDF document.

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Upload file

Professional Reference First and Last Name

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Professional Reference Email Address

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1. Why are you interested in participating in this program? What are your personal and professional goals regarding service and leadership?

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2. What values, passions, and vision do you possess to mobilize leadership for change? Describe a situation in which you took a leadership role and helped affect change.

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3. What strengths and limitations do you bring to both leadership and followership roles, and how do you contribute to group dynamics? Additionally, what skills and talents are you looking to enhance through this program?

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Needs-Based Scholarship Application

A limited number of need-based scholarships are available for participation. To qualify, applicants must exhibit a requirement for financial aid. Suitable candidates are those who lack employer financial backing for professional development, would likely self-finance, or are facing financial difficulties, rendering them unable to cover program fees without external financial aid. This scholarship will only provide a partial payment to the selected candidate(s) in order to support funding their attendance to HIGHER Ground.

A link to apply for a financial-support scholarship will be provided soon.

This application must be complete and include the following supplemental documents by the application due date for your application to be considered for acceptance into the program:

Completed application form

CV/resume

Completion of the professional reference form using the following link: https://tinyurl.com/HGReference

Please confirm you acknowledge and understand the following payment terms:

* must provide value

I understand that if accepted, the program payment is due four weeks prior to the beginning of the program.

I understand that if accepted, I am responsible for securing appropriate work-release time for all program dates listed on the website found at gehli.vcu.edu.

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