2026 Transits Next Leader Institute Application Form

All application materials for each applicant must be submitted through the online application form by 5:00pm Janaury 6, 2026 (new deadline), to be considered to participate in the 2026 Transits Next Leader Institute (TNLI) Emerging program.

Your agency must be a WSTA member, Transit Agency Associate Member or Associate Member in good standing.

If you are selected, please ensure you can fulfill the program's requirements and that you have the full support of your organization including your Champion (Direct Supervisor Advocate) and CEO or General Manager.

*If you are a CEO/General Manager/Head of Agency/Organization and want to participate in the TNLI program, a Champion Endorsement form is not required. Please skip the Champion Endorsement section.

**We strongly encourage all applicants to have all the necessary documents (Letter of Interest, Resume, Short Professional Bio, Professional Headshot & Champion Endorsement Form) ready to upload before starting the application process. You are not able to save your work in the application and come back to it at a later time.

***If you have questions about the application process, please contact Justin Leighton at justin@watransit.com.

Read the Full Syllabus
Participant Application
Agency:*
Name:*

First NameLast Name
Title: *
Email Address:*
Work Phone Number:
Please provide a valid phone numberFormat: (000) 000-0000.
Personal Cell Phone Number:
We ask for this in case we need to quickly get a hold of you during in-person events.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Tuition & Who Pays:
The fellow’s employer will sponsor their respective nominee upon their acceptance into TNLI. The sponsoring organization must provide the time and resources for their participant to attend all required TNLI events and activities, including but not limited to; travel, lodging, and time off for in-person meetings.
- The $2,500 Tuition Fee covers in-person and online sessions, the specialized curriculum, and materials.
- Tuition covers in-person sessions 1, 3, & 6, breakfast & lunch, and sessions 1 & 6, dinner. Session 3 dinner is in your cohort groups and paid on your own.
- In addition to tuition fees, other costs will include hotel lodging, some meals, and miscellaneous expenses.
- Logistical costs associated with required events include:
  - Travel to three in-person sessions with one to two nights for a hotel depending on travel distance for the fellow.
  - Dining during the program, such as program lunches, dinners, and breakfast, is part of tuition.
Invoicing and Payment:
At the time of invoicing, a sales tax rate will be applied to your registration. This adjustment reflects a new Washington State law effective October 1, 2025 which now classifies live presentations (such as seminars, workshops, committee meetings, and conferences) as taxable retail sales. Payment methods include check or credit card. Please note there is a transaction fee applied to all credit card payments.
Billing Email:*
example@example.com
Billing Address:*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Physical Address: We may need to send you materials, please list the address where you are working from (home or office). *

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Tell Us About Yourself:
This program is dedicated to diversity and inclusion. The information will help the selection committee ensure a well-rounded class uplifting traditionally underserved communities.
American Indian or Alaska NativeAsianBlack or African AmericanHispanic, Latino or Spanish OriginMiddle Eastern or North AfricanNative Hawaiian or other Pacific IslanderWhitePrefer not to sayOther
What is the gender you identify with?
What is your sexual orientation
How many years have you worked in the transit industry?*
How many employees do you directly supervise?*
What other leadership programs have you participated in the past?*
Please describe below ADA assistance if needed.
Letter of Interest & Resume:

Your Letter of Interest should address the following questions:
- What skills and objectives do you hope to learn from this program?
- How can taking this transit leadership program help your agency?
- How can taking this transit leadership program prepare you to meet future challenges in transit?
- What do you hope to contribute to your cohorts and your work team?
Please Upload your Letter of Interest and Resume Here*

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Short Professional Bio:

A short professional bio serves as your introduction to the professional world. It should be concise and include the following:
- Your name
- Your current role/position title
- Your professional goal/aspiration
- Your biggest achievement
Short Professional Bio:*
Professional Headshot:

Please upload one electronic color professional headshot as a jpg file. These photos represent you and your agency. It is important to submit a quality product. Electronic, professional-quality photos in color are preferred. To ensure high-quality reproduction results:
- Select a pleasing background to ensure a high-quality photo, void of shadows and without background interference (windows, fences, building facades, etc.).
Please upload your headshot here:*

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Champion Endorsement:
Direct Supervisor & Head of Agency/Organization

Because participation in this program will occur during work hours and require indirect and direct resources of the sponsoring organization/agency, we ask participants to attain a Champion Endorsement. Champion Endorsement includes a brief statement from the direct supervisor on why the applicant should be part of the program, their signature, and the head of the agency/organization’s signature.

*If you are a CEO/General Manager/Head of Agency/Organization and want to participate in the TNLI program, a Champion Endorsement form is not required. Please skip the Champion Endorsement section.

Please download the Champion Endorsement form and obtain the signatures from your direct supervisor and head of transit. Then upload the completed form to the designated space below.

To download the form please CLICK HERE.
Direct Supervisor Name

First NameLast Name
Direct Supervisor Email
Direct Supervisor Phone
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Please Upload the Completed Champion Endorsement Form Here

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By clicking the box, you are confirming you have read the syllabus and understand what is expected of your time and commitment.
Reasonable ADA Request:
WSTA outlines its Title VI and ADA policy as well as a place to file a Title VI and ADA complaint on the "About" page on our website: https://watransit.com/about. To understand our policy, please review it. If you would like to request a reasonable ADA request for this event, please get in touch with WSTA at WSTA@watransit.com or call the office at 360-786-9734.
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Participant Application