LEAD SWVA

Learn  |  Engage  |  Aspire  |  Deliver

LEAD SWVA Logo"A regional leadership program for community-minded individuals in Southwest Virginia.

LEAD SWVA aims to empower individuals who want to grow professionally and support their communities through effective leadership. By developing essential skills such as communication, problem-solving, and team management, and by learning best practices in community engagement and project implementation, participants will enhance their ability to LEAD—Learn, Engage, Aspire, Deliver.

This program seeks to create opportunities for participants to build a robust network of social capital, increase awareness of the challenges facing communities in Southwest Virginia, and equip participants with the tools needed to engage and actively address critical issues across the region.

From May to November, members of the LEAD SWVA cohort will meet monthly in various localities for leadership workshops, program activities, and community visits to hear from local leaders and regional representatives, while visiting key sites and destinations. The program provides a hands-on experience and equips participants with practical skills, preparing them to complete a capstone service project to positively impact their own communities.

Application Deadline: March 15

Applicants will be notified of a decision by close of business on April 3.

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At-a-Glance

  • Seven-month commitment
  • One- or two-day monthly sessions
  • Leadership skill-building workshops
  • Community-facing capstone project
  • Travel within SWVA to regional localities, economic development sites & attractions

Tuition

  • $1,500 | Scholarships available with demonstrated need
 
Tuition offered at a discounted rate through generous support from the Anne & Gene Worrell Foundation and the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA).
 
Ten full scholarships are available for qualified residents within the VCEDA service area. Scholarships are awarded based on demonstrated need and leadership potential.
 
Additional scholarships are available based on individual need.
Anne & Gene Worrell Foundation and Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority

Program Timeline

February 16, 2026 – March 15, 2026
Applications Accepted

April 3, 2026
Notification of Acceptance

May 20 – 21, 2026
Orientation and SWVA Economic Forum (UVA Wise Campus, Wise, VA)

November 12, 2026
Graduation (Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Abingdon, VA)

Session Dates

  • May 20 & 21
  • June 11
  • July 9
  • August 13
  • September 10
  • October 8 & 9
  • November 12
R J
Richard Johnson

Richard
Johnson

Community Development Manager
kcy8xf@uvawise.edu
276-639-3879