LP 2020 PARTICIPANT Application

2026-2027
The goal of Leadership Columbus is to identify leaders and volunteers to help guide the community through this decade and beyond. Leadership Columbus will expose highly talented and highly motivated leaders to economic, governmental and socio-cultural community issues with the intent of involvement, future direction, and ultimately, solutions.

Application Instructions

Complete each section in full according to the directions.
Limit answers to available space.
One letter of recommendation will be accepted. No other attachments will be considered.
Read and submit the requirements found in Section VIII of this application.
Applications received after May 31st, 2026, will not be considered.
All applicants will be notified by July 1st, 2026.

Participant Fee

Columbus Chamber Member:	$2,500.00
Non-Member:	$2,950.00

Tentative Class Schedule:

Orientation: September 15, 2026
Bonding Day: October 13, 2026
Education Day: November 10, 2026
Health & Human Services Day: December 8, 2026
Economic Development Day: January 19, 2027
Government Day: February 16, 2027
Fort Benning Day: March 19, 2027
Public Safety Day: April 13, 2027
Arts & Culture Day: May 11, 2027
Project Presentations: May 14, 2027
Environmental Day/Graduation: June 8, 2027

Leadership Columbus Selection Criteria
- The application to Leadership Columbus is open to individuals living in the Columbus region.
- Class size is limited.
- Participants are chosen by a Selection Committee on their own merits based on the information provided via the application. The Committee seeks representation from a cross-section of the community, including corporations, small businesses, academia, the arts, religious groups, government, community-based organizations, and ethnic and minority groups.
- Applicants must have the full support of the organization they represent.
- Attendance at the monthly sessions and completion of other program requirements are mandatory. Those who fail to attend are asked to withdraw.
- In reviewing applications, the Selection Committee looks for potential participants who demonstrate the following criteria:
  1. Commitment and motivation to serve Columbus and the region in a volunteer capacity.
  2. Policy-shaping responsibility or position of leadership in employment and/or volunteer organizations, resulting in the potential to have significant influence on important issues facing the community.
  3. Ability to make the time commitment required by the program.
  4. Previous volunteer experiences.
Personal Information
Full Name*

PrefixFirst NameMiddle NameLast NameSuffix
Preferred Name (for name tags)*

First NameLast Name
Spouse's Name

PrefixFirst NameMiddle NameLast NameSuffix
Birthdate*

MonthDayYear
Personal E-mail*
Mobile*

Area CodePhone Number
Home Address*

Home Address Line 1

Home Address Line 2

Home CityHome State

Home Zip
Year(s) in the Columbus Area*
YesNo
Employment
Current Employer*
Type of Business*
Job Title*
Years Worked*
Work Email Address*
Business Phone*
Mailing Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
YesNo
A. School / College Degree
please list highest degree obtained only
B. Special Awards / Honors
A. Major Leadership Role(s) at this time or previous roles: *
Organization #1 / Position / Dates of Service / Describe Responsibility
Organization #2 / Position / Dates of Service / Describe Responsibility
Organization #3 / Position / Dates of Service / Describe Responsibility
B. What do you consider your most important accomplishment in one of these organizations? Why?*
C. Please list, in order of importance to you, up to three civic, professional, business, religious, social, community, athletic or other organizations of which you are or have been a member.*
Organization / Dates of Service / Responsibility
D. How much time each month do you commit to volunteering?*
E. What types of volunteer activities do you plan to pursue in the future?*
F. If you have not had the time or interest to become actively involved in the past, what conditions have changed that now enable you to seek involvement in the community?*
General Information
One of the goals of Leadership Columbus is to build a network of community leaders who can enhance their problem-solving and other leadership abilities through shared perspectives and working together.
Brief Bio
What do you want us to know about you?*
Community Commitment & Motivation:
Tell us about your connection to Columbus—or how you’re working to get connected if you’re newer to the area. Share a time you invested your time, energy, or resources into something that made our community better outside of your day job. What motivated you to get involved, and what kind of impact were you hoping to make?*
Leadership & Growth:
Tell us about a time you led or helped move a team, project, or initiative forward. How did you bring people together and navigate different perspectives along the way? More importantly, what did that experience teach you about your leadership—and how are you continuing to grow from it?*
Program Fit & Contribution:
Why is Leadership Columbus the right fit for you right now? What draws you to this experience, and how do you see yourself showing up for the group—through curiosity, participation, and supporting others? What do you hope to learn by engaging with a diverse group of leaders and gaining deeper insight into our community?*
A. What do you think are the four most significant problems facing Columbus and the region today?*
Please number each problem
B. What do you think could be done to solve one of these issues?*
C. What are the three most notable opportunities that Columbus and the region have to offer?*
Please number each opportunity
D. Why should the Selection Committee pick you for Leadership Columbus?*
E. Why do you believe our community is a great place to live, work, and play? How do you hope your participation in Leadership Columbus will contribute to that?*
F. Provide a reflective paragraph describing two (2) strengths and two (2) weaknesses as it relates to you as a leader. Please include areas you consider to be “cutting edge”.*
Recommendations
Personal Recommendation
Please list someone who is knowledgeable about your leadership performance and potential.
Reference*

Name / Title

Street Address Line 2

OrganizationPhone Number

Postal / Zip Code
Reference #2*

Name / Title

Street Address Line 2

OrganizationPhone Number

Postal / Zip Code
Commitment
To graduate from Leadership Columbus, a participant is expected to attend all sessions.
Each class participant is expected to participate fully. This participation includes:
- Approximately 25 hours of coordinated community experiences. You MUST participate fully in the class project. Timely completion of the community experiences is required.
- One full day per month (sessions are held generally on the third Tuesday of each month beginning September 2026 through June 2027). Monthly sessions run from approximately 7:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., with attendance from the start time through lunch and until dismissal after the wrap-up.
- Any schedule changes are announced well in advance. Each class participant is allowed only one excused absence.
- Tentative Class Schedule:
  - Orientation: September 15, 2026
  - Bonding Day: October 13, 2026
  - Education Day: November 10, 2026
  - Health & Human Services Day: December 8, 2026
  - Economic Development Day: January 19, 2027
  - Government Day: February 16, 2027
  - Fort Benning Day: March 19, 2027
  - Public Safety Day: April 13, 2027
  - Arts & Culture Day: May 11, 2027
  - Project Presentations: May 14, 2027
  - Environmental Day/Graduation: June 8, 2027
Participation in the Leadership Development component of the class is required. This component includes a leadership profile and professional development throughout the year with the Leadership Institute at Columbus State University. The professional development component is built into several of the monthly sessions throughout the year.
YesNo
YesNo
YesNo
Please sign the below statement of program commitment:
I will be able to fulfill my commitment of approximately 120 hours over the course of this program year (September - June).*

Clear
I understand the expectations and goals of the Leadership Columbus program and can commit approximately 120 hours over the course of the year. If selected, I will fully engage in the experience, meet the program requirements, and submit my tuition by September 1, 2026.*

Clear
Required Documents

Deadline for application: May 31, 2026. Applications submitted without proper required items will NOT be considered.
Recent Headshot*

Browse Files
*Does not need to be a professional headshot. Cancelof
Resume *

Browse Files

Cancelof
Employer Acknowledgement or Statement of Self-Employment*

Browse Files
All acknowledgements must state understanding of the LC program time requirements Cancelof
LinkedIn Link (optional)
Social Media Link(s) (optional)
Optional Demographic Information

As part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we invite you to respond to the following questions to help inform our grant reporting and data collection efforts. Please note that your responses are confidential and will not be used in the Leadership Columbus selection process.
FemaleMaleNonbinary
American Indian or Alaska NativeAsianBlack or African-AmericanHispanic or LatinxWhiteOther
Your submission of this application affirms that you have, to the best of your knowledge, honestly and fully answered all questions. In the event the above information should be found to be untrue, it could result in forfeiting the opportunity to be a part of the Leadership Columbus Program.
Should be Empty:

2026-2027

Personal Information

Employment

General Information

Recommendations

Commitment

Required Documents

Optional Demographic Information