NEW Leadership® at Saint Mary's College of California

NEW Leadership^® Saint Mary’s is open to undergraduate students enrolled in any California college or university and California residents enrolled in out-of-state schools. Rising juniors, seniors, and spring semester graduates at 4-year institutions and students at 2-year institutions in sophomore year are eligible to apply. Women of color, LGBTQ women and nonbinary students, and nontraditional college students are especially encouraged to apply. NEW Leadership^® is committed to including students from diverse socioeconomic, ethnic, racial, and educational backgrounds.

Demonstrated leadership experience on campus or in local community and a commitment to learning more about politics and civic engagement are primary considerations. NEW Leadership looks for participants who will bring a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and knowledge to the group and who are open to learning from others.

No. There is no specific academic profile for the successful NEW Leadership^® participant.  Students from all academic backgrounds are needed to advocate for their communities and run for office in the future.

The program will be hosted at Saint Mary's College, in Moraga, California in June 2025, with specific days TBA.  Participants will live on campus for the duration of the Institute and participate in all scheduled activities.

NEW Leadership^® Saint Mary’s is a full-time program which requires students to participate in all sessions, classes, workshops, field trips, and community meals. The days are long, but they have breaks throughout.  The week does go very fast!

There is no direct cost to students.  Colleges and universities asked to contribute a $500 program registration fee per student to defray expenses. Room, board, and local transportation are included. Applicants are required to provide contact information for a faculty or staff member at their college who will agree to assist them in obtaining registration funds. However, no student will be turned away because their college or university cannot pay the fee.

Each college and university is different, but officials such as the Deans of Humanities or Liberal Arts, directors of intercultural centers, and advisors for students of color and others might have access to special funds for students to attend summer institutes, conferences, or internships. They would be the most appropriate source of funding for the NEW Leadership Institute registration fee. Students pay nothing themselves and may attend even if their institutions do not provide any funding.