Leadership Tuscarawas

Community Bus Tour

Leadership Tuscarawas Signature Class Application    Application portal opens January 15, 2026

Leadership Tuscarawas News

2025-2026 LEADERSHIP TUSCARAWAS SIGNATURE CLASS

Thank you to our sponsors and supporters of the Signature Class and Leaders of Tomorrow

We continue to enjoy strong support from a wide variety of supporters and friends of Leadership Tuscarawas.  We sincerely appreciate their long-standing support.  Contributors include:

Doris and Floyd Kimble Foundation, Kimble Companies; Belden Brick and the Stark Community Foundation; Bowerston Shale; Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital; Dover-Phila Credit Union; First Federal Community Bank; Investment Partners LTD; Jeff Mathias and Howard Hanna; ProVia; The Commercial and Savings Bank; Allied Machine and Engineering; Grace Lutheran Church, Gradall, Buckeye Career Center, Mark McKenzie; Kent State University at Tuscarawas, WTUZ; Simona Bolteron; Peterman Plumbing; Pat Cadle; and Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Program Overview

In 2002, an adult leadership program for Tuscarawas County was formed through the efforts of the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce and Kent State University at Tuscarawas.

The purpose of Leadership Tuscarawas is to develop passionate, visionary leaders to strengthen the community. Participants from across the county complete the Leadership Tuscarawas program. Members of the class meet for a full day once a month, August through May. 

The program begins with an overnight retreat where members meet one another, utilize team-building techniques and explore their personal leadership and communication styles. The class then takes a daylong bus tour of the county and are introduced to the many issues facing our community.

Interactive sessions are held at various locations throughout the program year and they target skills and issues such as problem solving, conflict management, community trusteeship, education and economic development. The wide range of topics discussed enables participants to gain a deeper understanding of the county and its many challenges and opportunities. Leadership Tuscarawas also heightens awareness of the diverse organizations working in the county, fosters leadership skills and development, and provides the opportunity for networking and interacting with other community leaders.

Each class is required to complete a community project that is presented at our graduation ceremony, held in May.  

Application for Admission

Please note that you are able to exit the application and return at a later time. This feature is turned on by default and works by placing a cookie on your browser that keeps track of the application progress. By default, you have two weeks to return to the survey and finish. After two weeks, your application will be recorded as-is. If for any reason you do not wish to retain your application, you can always clear your browser history and start over.

Deadline for application and deposit ($250) is July 11. All approved applicants will be notified by email of their acceptance in the class.

Selection Criteria

If employed, applicants must have the full support of their employer or supervising organization. Individuals not affiliated with a business or organization may also apply.

Participants for the upcoming Leadership Tuscarawas class will be selected by the executive director and selection committee, made up of members of the Leadership Tuscarawas Board.

The selection committee carefully reviews all submitted applications. The committee strives to select individuals who demonstrate high standards of personal integrity, who show evidence of leadership potential and commitment to community service.

The class is limited to 30 participants. Applicants who are not selected are encouraged to reapply in subsequent years.

Tuition

Tuition is $2,000 for the 10-month program and includes all training materials, class polo shirt, refreshment breaks and lunch each day. A deposit of $250 is due upon application submission on or before July 11. Payment of full tuition is required by Aug. 4.

Limited tuition funds are available up to $500 for candidates who are from nonprofit, small business or governmental organizations. Those requesting tuition grants must submit the request to Leadership Tuscarawas in writing by the application deadline of July 12 and provide sufficient justification demonstrating financial need.

The Leadership Tuscarawas Board reserves the right to approve or reject any tuition assistance request, limit the amount of monies available for tuition assistance based on available financial resources, and revise the tuition assistance guidelines at any time without notice.

Participation and Time Commitment

Leadership Tuscarawas requires a serious commitment of time and energy. All applicants must be able to fulfill the attendance requirements. Full participation of each individual is necessary, and attendance at each session is expected.

Because emergencies or business needs may arise, a participant may be absent from not more than 12 hours of class. Participants who are absent for more than 12 hours of class may not graduate with their current class. The hours missed must be made up the following year to graduate. Leadership Tuscarawas reserves the right to notify a class participant's employer/sponsor should they not meet the attendance requirements.

Attendance for the entire two-day August program retreat is mandatory and non-negotiable. Class participants who are accepted into the program and are unable to attend the retreat will be asked to wait until the following year to enter the program.

Participants are expected to participate in the Leadership Tuscarawas Signature Class evening graduation ceremony at Kent State University at Tuscarawas.

Participants are required to take part in a community project that may require additional time commitments outside of class.

2025-2026 Leadership Tuscarawas Programming Schedule (may be subject to change)

Important Dates

Applications are due July 11, 2025

Applicants will be notified of acceptance by July 25, 2025

Tuition in full is due by Aug. 4, 2025

For more information

Please contact Dr. William (Bill) Beisel at 330-308-7437 or wbeisel@kent.edu