April 1, 2013: Applications Available: Please complete the form below to join our email list.
Apply for Leadership Columbia: We will accept applications through an online form which will be made readily available.
May 15, 2013: Application Deadline (applications must be submitted online)
Late May: Candidate Panel Interviews with LC Alumni. We will offer interviews on two different weeks. These dates will be posted by April 1, 2013.
Mid June: Acceptance Notification

Leadership Columbia Guidelines and Information

• Attendance and Class Days: Class days are held every second Tuesday of the month between the months of August and October-May. Participants may not miss more than 14 hours of class days in order to graduate. Attendance at the out-of-town retreat (scheduled for September 12-13, 2013 at Camp Kinard in Batesburg-Leesville) is mandatory. In addition, participants will be required to take part in enrichment activities and a class project.
   
• Selection Criteria and Application Review: Applications will be blindly evaluated and rated by a panel of Leadership Columbia alumni, after which the applicants will participate in an interview with a separate panel of alumni. The combined scores of the application review and interview are used to select the class. The selection criteria includes civic involvement, leadership potential, diversity of perspective and commitment to the leadership program and the community. The class size is limited to 60 members and to no more than two employees per company or organization.
   
• Tuition: Tuition in the Leadership Columbia program is estimated at $1,825 for Columbia Chamber members and $2,225 for non-Chamber members.  Tuition includes membership in the Leadership Columbia Alumni Association for two years. Full payment or arrangements for payments must be made by August 31, 2013.  Reimbursement of tuition will not be granted after the retreat. There is a $25 application fee for the program.
   
• Scholarship/Financial Assistance: Partial scholarship funds are available, based on need, and will be considered only after candidate selection is made. Traditionally, Leadership Columbia grants partial scholarships to those class members in the non-profit, government and small business sectors as well as those class members who pay their own tuition. Applicants should indicate request for financial assistance on their application and bring a statement of financial need to their interview.