Kaylee Peterson
Nikola Lazic

Provost's Leadership Academy

The Provost's Leadership Academy provides incoming Kent State University students with a unique leadership experience on campus. The students will meet once per week during the fall and spring semesters to meet two goals. During the fall semester, the goal is for the students to understand their leadership style, each other, and the community through activities and programs, from which they will generate a list of possible areas of concern within the university community that could be addressed. During the spring semester, the goal is for students to explore and work to improve one of those areas of concern. Upon the conclusion of the semester, the students will present their final project to Melody Tankersley, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Provost. All participants who successfully complete the program will receive $500 in FlashCash.

 

Requirements
Learning Objectives
Application Process
Completing the Application
Application Review

Requirements

  • Experience serving as a leader, i.e. involvement in clubs, sports teams, community service, employment, etc. 
  • Demonstrated academic success in High School or prior institution if transferring, based on GPA 
  • Be an incoming Freshmen or Transfer student with Freshmen status at the time of application
  • Have an interest in learning more about KSU
  • Attend weekly meetings during the fall and spring semesters of your first year (historically on Monday evenings between 5:30-7:30 p.m.)
  • Maintain a 2.7 cumulative GPA throughout the entire academic year

Learning Objectives 

Participation in the Provost’s Leadership Academy will: 

  • Provide students with tools to develop valuable skills in the following areas: public speaking, presenting, teamwork, and leadership through understanding self, team, and community - Skill Development & Leadership 
  • Assist in further developing the student’s connection to the Kent State community through intentional connection to members of Kent State’s senior leadership team including Vice Presidents and the Provost - Community Development & Belonging 
  • Provide students with tools, learning, and resources to successfully research, interview, design, and implement a proposal for a campus change research project – Academic Development & Research

Application Process

  • Candidates will receive an invitation to apply in February.
  • Completed online applications for the Fall 2025 cohort are due February 1, 2025, by 5:00 p.m.
  • After review of completed applications, selected candidates will be invited to interview.
    • The invitation to interview will be sent by February 24, 2025. 
    • Interviews will be held in-person on Friday, March 21, 2025.
  • Final offers will be sent to selected candidates by April 4, 2025, via email.
  • Membership acceptance is due by April 18, 2025.

Completing the Application

  • Applications are submitted electronically. 
  • Completed online applications for the Fall 2025 cohort are due by 5:00 p.m. on February 1, 2025. 
  • Students will be required to answer 5 application questions. Please ensure your answers to these questions are thoughtful, thorough, and exemplify all facets of your leadership abilities. 
    • A completed reference form is required as part of this application process. This will be provided via email upon completion of the PLA application.     
      • Students submitting their application will need to know the email address of the person completing your reference form. 
        • This can be a teacher, coach, manager, mentor, academic counselor, etc. but should not be a relative.
        • Students should communicate with this person to confirm they are willing to serve as a reference PRIOR to submitting their application.
      • Instructions will be emailed to the individual on how to submit the reference.
      • Both the completed application and reference form must be submitted by February 1, 2025. 

Application Review

  • Applications will be reviewed and scored by Student Success Programs staff.  
  • Scoring will be based on application responses.  
  • Completed online applications for the Fall 2025 cohort are due by 5:00 p.m. on February 1, 2025. 
  • After review of completed applications, selected candidates will be invited to PLA Interview Day.  
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