Where emerging leaders prepare to build their future
The Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy is a leadership development program for 60+ undergraduate and graduate students during the academic year. For almost 20 years, the CLA has instilled leadership excellence in a select group of students across the institution. The program is co-curricular and cross-disciplinary, offering our student fellow candidates unique opportunities for reflection, engagement, and learning with and from a diverse cohort of their peers. Candidates are admitted to the Cook Leadership Academy for one or more years. Each applicant must meet the criteria of high academic achievement, active involvement in the campus community, dedication to the public good, a passion to lead, and a commitment to personal growth.
If you are a current CLA Fellow Candidate looking for the CLA Fellow Portal, click here.
CLA By the Numbers
Cost to Participate
Students participate at NO COST! All events are programs are paid for through generous donations from campus and community partners.
Time Commitment
There are 7 required events each semester, in addition to mentor meetings. This is about 20-30 hours per semester for the academic year. On top of that, there are hundreds of hours of optional opportunities for engagement through campus and community events!
Cohort Size
65 students, from undergraduate through doctoral programs, representing over 30 degree programs at GVSU.
The Program
Wheelhouse Talks
Public leadership lectures
Mentors
Individualized community mentorship
Leader Labs
Student storytelling
Self Reflections
Interactive workshops
More About the Academy
Give Today
If you have any questions about the Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy, please contact Emily McKenna-Makela at [email protected] or (616) 331-7072.