Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy Application 26-27

Please note: Applications to the Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy for the 2026-2027 academic year will be open from Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. through Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. If you experience technical difficulties while submitting your application, please contact Christine Mutch at [email protected].

Thank you for your interest in the Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy (CLA). The CLA is a group of diverse students across all academic disciplines who dedicate over 60 hours during the academic year to their leadership development. CLA fellow candidates spend time mastering leadership competencies, developing mentor relationships, learning from local leaders, and growing through self-reflection. Please fill out the form below and click the submit button to make your submission. An automated message to your email will confirm that your application has been received. This application involves a series of short essays and asks you to upload an updated resume. When completing this application, it is best to prepare your essays and uploads in advance.

If you are interested in attending a virtual information session to learn more about the program and meet current fellow candidates and staff, we encourage you to attend one of the 30 minute sessions we are offering in the upcoming weeks.

Information Sessions:
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 5pm
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 5pm

Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 5pm

Event information can be found on LakerLink. We hope you can join us at an information session and look forward to reviewing your application. Please contact Christine Mutch at [email protected] with any questions.

* denotes a required field

Contact Information

First Name *

Preferred First Name

Last Name *

Pronouns

GVSU Email *
Please enter a GVSU student email address ending in @mail.gvsu.edu.

G-number *

Phone *

Academic Standing

Current GPA *
Please enter a value less than or equal to 4.

Academic Level: *
First Year
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Masters
Doctoral

Major *

Major 2 (If applicable)

Minor(s) (if applicable)

Expected Graduation Date from Current Program *
Please specify a value for Expected Graduation Date from Current Program

Which Graduate Program/Certificate will you be pursuing? *

Short Answer Questions

List up to 6 experiences (student orgs, jobs, athletics, community projects, caregiving, creative roles, etc.) that demonstrate leadership, initiative, or responsibility. For each item include: Organization, Role/Title, Dates, 1-2 sentence description. *
Please enter at most 300 words. You currently have:

Motivation + Goals: Why are you applying for a spot in the CLA? What are your specific goals? *
Please enter at most 250 words. You currently have:

Strengths: Describe 3 of your greatest strengths. *
Please enter at most 200 words. You currently have:

Contribution: What are 1-2 contributions you believe you would bring to the cohort? *
Please enter at most 200 words. You currently have:

Personal Leadership Example: Describe a time when you took initiative to influence others, solve a problem, or create a positive outcome - formally or informally. What did you do? What was the outcome? What did you learn about leadership and/or yourself? *
Please enter at most 300 words. You currently have:

Effective Leadership Example: Describe a specific individual you identify as an effective leader. What about them (traits, actions, values, etc) makes them a leader from your perspective? *
Please enter at most 250 words. You currently have:

Ethical Leadership: What are 3 values or traits that you believe are important to “ethical leadership”? For each, briefly explain: 1) Why does this value/trait matter?, and 2) How do you embody it (or where you are still learning)? *
Please enter at most 300 words. You currently have:

Learning & Feedback: Describe a time that someone gave you feedback that stretched or challenged you. How did you respond? What did you do with that feedback? *
Please enter at most 250 words. You currently have:

Accomplishment: Of what accomplishment are you most proud? Why is this achievement important to you? *
Please enter at most 250 words. You currently have:

Have you applied to the Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy in the past? *

How did you hear about the Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy? *
Nominated
Email
Social Media
GVSU Flyer / Laker Hub Slide
Word of Mouth
Not listed Please specify a value for How did you hear about the Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy?

Document Upload

Upload your resume as a PDF file, titled "Last Name, First Name - Resume.PDF" *
Please upload a file with the extension .pdf with a maximum size of 1 MB (1024 KB)

Personal Demographics

This section is not required and will have no bearing on your application. This demographic information is being collected to ensure that our program is accessible, inclusive, and open to all members of our student community. You can skip any question in this section.

Are you a first-generation college student?

Are you a U.S. military veteran?

Are you an international student?

What is your race and/or ethnicity?
Select all that apply.
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
Black or African American
Hispanic or Latino
Middle Eastern or North African
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
White

What is your religion/faith/spirituality?

What is your gender identity?

What is your sexual orientation?

Human Verification *

Page last modified December 3, 2025

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