Emerging Leaders a University Partnership
Emerging Leaders Launches Fall 2025!
ACSI Emerging Leaders is designed to provide top university students with exceptional opportunities to develop servant leadership skills and positively impact global communities. Through this program, students will engage in leadership development, apprenticeships, service, and influence (university promotion). These components enable them to refine their skills and emerge as compassionate and impactful servant leaders.
Applications open in January 2025 for the 2025–26 school year.
University Partnerships
Emerging Leaders offers significant benefits to partnering universities by allowing students to serve as ambassadors for their university through their service and apprenticeships. Students can promote their university to the higher-ed target markets and increase its visibility and appeal to prospective students and school leaders.
Eligibility
Eligibility
Emerging Leaders Partner University Eligibility- To participate in Emerging Leaders, a university must be a member of ACSI.
- A partner university will pay an additional fee for their students to participate in the program.
- Students must be classified as juniors or seniors based on the number of hours completed.
- Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 throughout the program.
- Student must be an active member of his/her local church or campus ministry.
- Students must be nominated by their university. Each university may nominate up to five students. Nominated students will then complete the application process.
The Four Components of Emerging Leaders
Emerging Leaders equips university students with knowledge and mentorship through four key components: Leadership Development, Apprenticeship, Service, and Influence (University Promotion). Each component is designed to offer experiential opportunities that empower students to engage in impactful and meaningful ways.
Leadership Development
Emerging Leaders participate in hands-on experiences to enhance leadership skills, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration.
- Networking Opportunities
University students will connect with a diverse network of like-minded individuals, ACSI leaders, and missional partners, fostering leadership growth, collaboration, and career advancement opportunities. - Personal Growth & Well-Being
Emerging Leaders will identify and cultivate their personal leadership style, uncover their strengths, and better understand their role in engaging with their culture and generation. - Book Study
By studying books on faith, character, and leadership, students will gain new perspectives, reflect on their experiences, and grow spiritually and intellectually. - Leadership Development Meetings
Students will engage with experienced professionals who share real-world examples and strategies from their leadership journeys. These sessions foster interactive learning, allowing students to ask questions, participate in discussions, and gain valuable perspectives on effective leadership through a biblical worldview.
Apprenticeship
Emerging Leaders will partner with an ACSI department for a year-long apprenticeship. This experience will enable students to learn from experts in their chosen field, explore potential career paths, and refine their leadership skills in targeted areas.
Service
Emerging Leaders strongly emphasizes leadership development. A key component of leadership development is the emphasis on service. Students will be encouraged to lead by putting the needs of others first, just as Christ did. This approach challenges students to view leadership not as a position of power but as a responsibility to humbly serve and uplift those around them.
- Service Opportunities: Emerging Leaders actively engage in global service initiatives coordinated through various ACSI departments.
- Mentorship: Emerging Leaders will provide valuable insights and encouragement through mentorship moments and opportunities, helping students reach their full potential.
University Partnership
Emerging Leaders actively promote their university while engaging in the program's four components. This involvement allows them to make an impact in various areas, especially in front-line spaces that traditional Strategic Partner programs may not reach. Additionally, participants promote their university while serving at ACSI Student Leadership & Learning on-site programs aimed at grades 7–12, which is a key demographic for university admissions.
ACSI Student Leadership & Learning: SLL@acsi.org
