APHSA National Leadership Academy - 2025-2026 Inaugural Cohort Application

About the APHSA National Leadership Academy:

The APHSA National Leadership Academy is a transformative experience, co-developed with a philanthropic investment to the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) and Social Current, and designed for today’s human services leaders who are committed to making a profound difference in the lives of individuals and communities. We embrace a holistic, people-centered leadership learning philosophy that transcends traditional learning models. Our goal for our Leadership Academy participants is simple: Inspire action. Create change. Sustain impact.

The interactive learning sessions within the APHSA National Leadership Academy tap into the collective experience and expertise of the cohort, fostering collaboration and commitment to co-creating and implementing a people and community-centered approach in human services. Sessions will be a mix of virtual and in person.

Our 10 module, 14-month National Leadership Academy will be centered on our research-based Next Gen Leadership Competencies:

Visionary Impact
Participatory Design
Workforce Well-Being
Generative Partnerships
Cultural Belonging
Operational Impact
Political Literacy

Key components of the National Leadership Academy include:

Navigating real world/real time challenges (participant case situations)
Combination of in-person and virtual learning with coaching and mentorship opportunities
Collaborative space with leaders of community-based organizations
Completion of National Leadership Academy Portfolio
Completion of National Leadership Academy Capstone Project
Membership in the National Leadership Academy online Learning Community
APHSA National Leadership Academy Certification and graduation and award ceremony

Who is eligible to apply for the APHSA National Leadership Academy?

The 2025-2026 cohort will be comprised of approximately 20-25 mid-level management professionals from state and local government whose jurisdictions are currently APHSA members and who desire to increase their leadership impact potential. We are defining Mid-Level Management as the following: Assistant Director, Senior Manager, Department Lead, Program Manager, Operations Lead. If you have a question about whether or not a particular position qualifies, please email Dr. Trinka Bourne at tlandry-bourne@aphsa.org or Kim James at Kjames@aphsa.org.

How much will it cost to participate?

Participation in the National Leadership Academy along with hotel, flights to all in-person events, and registration to the Human Services Summit is included at NO COST to the participant.

What is the general schedule for the 2025-2026 APHSA National Leadership Academy cohort?

November 18-December 16, 2024: Application period.

January 15, 2025: Applicants notified of acceptance into the Academy cohort.

January 15-February 14, 2025: Participants will receive APSHA National Leadership Academy Orientation Information and confirm acceptance into the Academy.

February 18-March 14, 2025: Welcome Orientations will occur virtually for all APHSA National Leadership Academy participants.

March 17-May 16, 2025: Virtual Leadership Academy sessions will begin.

June 1-4, 2025: In person launch of the 2025-2026 APHSA National Leadership Academy at the APHSA National Human Services Summit in Philadelphia, PA!

More information to come on remaining calendar for the cohort!

What else is important to know before applying for the 2025-2026 APHSA National Leadership Academy?

If selected, applicants will be expected to fully participate in all scheduled National Leadership Academy activities including Orientation, Pre-work activities, online activities, virtual meetings, and in-person Leadership Academy Sessions. Applicants will be asked to acknowledge this expectation within the application.

Please complete the below application no later than December 16, 2024. Once you have applied, you will receive email confirmation that we have received your application. APHSA will be selecting candidates for acceptance into the APHSA National Leadership Academy and notifying those candidates of their acceptance before January 15, 2025.

Who can I contact with further questions about the APSHA National Leadership Academy?

Please email Dr. Trinka Bourne at tlandry-bourne@aphsa.org or Kim James at Kjames@aphsa.org with any questions about the APHSA National Leadership Academy.

First Name

Last Name

Title

Agency/Organization

Please spell out your full agency/organization name.

Address

City

State

Zip Code

Phone

Which Sector Do You Represent?

Public Sector: State Agency

Public Sector: Local, City or Municipality Agency

About the Applicant

Please provide concise answers/comments to the following questions to assist in the selection process.

What is your current role and its responsibilities?

What are your areas of expertise as it relates to leadership? In what ways have you inspired action or created change?

What are your strengths as a leader? What are the components of leadership that you would like to strengthen for yourself?

What is something that you aspire to achieve as a leader? What type of impact would you like to create?

Who is a leader that has impacted your professional development and why?

Why are you applying to be a participant in the APHSA Leadership Academy? What do you hope to gain from your APHSA Leadership Academy experience?

If selected, you will be expected to fully participate in all scheduled Leadership Academy activities including Orientation, Pre-work activities, online activities, virtual meetings, and in-person Leadership Academy Sessions. Is that something that you understand and commit to doing?

Yes

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