Alpha Sigma Tau is excited to continue to offer its leadership development program, Illuminate, in a reimagined, National cohort format for collegiate members. This year, there will be three different cohorts, and our cohorts will focus on leading within, leading together, and leading beyond.

Our Lead Within fall semester cohort will focus on helping you develop your personal leadership skills. Our Lead Together spring semester cohort will focus on helping you lead others. Lastly, our year-long Lead Beyond cohort will focus on helping you develop your professional skills, so you can lead beyond graduation.

During the 2026-2027 academic year, selected participants from across the country will meet virtually via Zoom monthly to engage in conversations and activities to build their leadership skills and competencies together.

All cohorts will meet for 90 minutes on Tuesday evenings at 3 p.m. PT/4 p.m. MT/5 p.m. CT/6 p.m. ET.

Our Lead Within cohort will meet on the following dates:

• September 8, 2026 - Introductions & Personal Motivation
• October 13, 2026 - Emotional Intelligence
• November 10, 2026 - Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
• December 15, 2026 - Resilience & Graduation

Our Lead Together cohort will meet on the following dates:

• January 12, 2027 - Introductions & Healthy Relationships
• February 9, 2027 - Inclusiveness & Belonging
• March 9, 2027 - Navigating Conflict 
• April 13, 2027 - Accountability & Graduation

Our Lead Beyond cohort will meet on the following dates:

• September 22, 2026 - Introductions & Self-Awareness
• October 27, 2026 - Confidence
• November 24, 2026 - Resilience
• January 26, 2027 - Career Academy Part 1
• February 23, 2027 - Resourcefulness
• March 23, 2027 - Career Academy Part 2
• April 27, 2027 - Professionalism & Graduation

There will be assigned pre-work prior to each Illuminate session that all participants must complete. Each session is primarily conversation-based, so all participants should come prepared and ready to engage with others. Participants will also be expected to complete skill application challenges between each session.

 To be eligible to apply for the 2026-2027 Illuminate Cohorts, you must:

• Be eager and excited to develop your personal and professional leadership skills;
• Not be on any membership status (ie: professional, study abroad, medical leave, collegiate-alumnae, etc.) during either semester of the 2026-2027 academic year;
• Be committed and available to attend all scheduled Illuminate sessions for your cohort and agree to complete all assigned pre-and-post session homework.

Interested members who meet the eligibility qualifications should complete and submit this application no later than Sunday, August 16. All applicants will be notified of their selection status by Friday, August 21.

Space in the cohort is extremely limited, and if I am selected and commit to the cohort and do not fulfill my obligations, I have taken an opportunity from another Alpha Sigma Tau Sister. Participation in this program is a privilege, and by signing below and submitting this application, I acknowledge that, if selected, I understand and agree to the following:

• I commit to completing all assigned pre-work and skills challenges, and I will attend each session prepared and ready to participate.
• I will attend all sessions on the scheduled dates and will coordinate all other Sorority, academic, work, and personal commitments around the scheduled sessions. 
• If I have more than one absence during the year, I will immediately be removed from the cohort.
• I am not currently on a membership status for the Fall 2026 semester, and I will not apply for a membership status for the Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 semesters. If I apply for and am granted a membership status at any time during the year, I will immediately be removed from the cohort.
• If I resign my membership or am dismissed at any point during the academic year, I will immediately be removed from the cohort.
• My name, image, voice, and any testimonials provided about my participation in the Illuminate program may be used by the National Organization for promotional or solicitation purposes.