Leadership Scholars Program
Serious about making a change in the world? The Leadership Scholars Program helps you build the skills, mindset, and community to become an agent for meaningful change—on campus and beyond.
About the Program
The Leadership Scholars Program develops students who drive meaningful change—in their future professions, their communities, and the world beyond campus borders.
Up to 35 first-year students join this cohort each year through a competitive selection process. You'll build leadership skills in the classroom, on the practice field, in student organizations, and across Greater Cleveland—preparing to act decisively when opportunities arise.
Why Leadership?
Looking for a set of experiences to prepare you for success after your JCU journey? The Leadership Scholars Program provides students with a set of opportunities to expand their knowledge and skills in order to have influence in a variety of settings, both personal and professional.
Many Modes of Formation
Leadership knows no boundaries, so the Leadership Scholars Program encourages students to engage in their leadership formation from a variety of angles, whether it’s in the classroom, a student organization on campus, or through required interactions with leaders in our students’ professional fields.
What You'll Experience
Combine classroom learning with real-world experience. Work one-on-one with a leadership coach, connect with professionals in your field, and put your skills into practice across campus.
Leadership Development Minor
Complete 18 credits of coursework exploring leadership theory, global perspectives, social justice, and strategic decision-making—with 12 credits also fulfilling core curriculum requirements.
Hands-On Formation
Participate in a four-semester Leadership Formation Program, work one-on-one with a Leadership Coach, and connect with leaders in your chosen professional field.
Peer Leadership
Develop your peer leadership skills while serving as a Streak Week Guide for incoming students, helping to plan a leadership conference for high school students, while also seeking out leadership opportunities in one of JCU's 120+ student organizations, athletic teams, and more!
Cohort Learning
Approximately 130 JCU students are in the Leadership Scholars Program at any given time, so you'll be in close proximity with these peers in your various JCU activities, both in and out of the classroom.
Practical Perks
Benefits that come with being a Leadership Scholar
First Pick of Classes
Register before your peers each semester
Free Textbooks
All of your Leadership courses are covered
Live with Your Cohort
Dolan Hall option (renovated 2022)
Counts Toward Degree
12 of 18 credits in the Leadership Development Minor also can fulfill JCU Core requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Leadership Scholars is a scholars program, not a scholarship in the traditional financial aid sense. However, Leadership Scholars receive valuable benefits including a book award (LP course materials covered), priority class registration, and eligibility for the Living-Learning Community in Dolan Hall.
Beyond the 18 credits of the Leadership Minor coursework, students will complete a four-semester series of our co-curricular Leadership Formation Tiers program (each program meets for one hour per week for six weeks), as well as the occasional other obligation throughout their four years. Leadership Scholars are VERY involved in a number of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities - including varsity sports - as well as cultural and community building experiences in the Cleveland area.
Yes! Many Leadership Scholars study abroad. Work with your advisor to plan your course sequence so you can take advantage of JCU’s study abroad programs while staying on track with your Leadership Scholars requirements.
We ask that students select one of the programs so that they can focus on completing the program’s requirements in addition to the many other great activities they will do while attending John Carroll.
We look for students who can provide genuine responses to the application prompts and demonstrate the ability to reflect on their experiences up until this point in their lives. Since everyone has the capacity to develop leadership skills, we don’t have a specific set of qualifications in mind when reviewing applications.
Due to the wide variety of majors represented in the Leadership Scholars Program, our alumni pursue diverse paths after graduation, including professional careers, professional and graduate school programs, and work in various nonprofit areas.
