UW Seeks Applications, Nominations for Student Leadership Academy

The University of Wyoming is accepting student applications and nominations for the UW Leadership Academy’s class of 2026, an experiential leadership development program designed to strengthen students’ economic and civic leadership capabilities through real-world engagement across Wyoming.

The Leadership Academy provides students with an immersive opportunity to explore major industries; meet leaders across the state; and develop practical leadership skills through a cohort-based learning experience. The 2026 program will include visits to communities across Wyoming, including Buffalo, Casper, Cheyenne, Jackson, Lander and Sheridan.

New this year, the Leadership Academy will expand its industry focus to include agriculture and health care, reflecting two sectors that are vital to Wyoming’s future workforce, community well-being and long-term economic resilience. Key industries such as education, tourism, manufacturing and energy also will be explored throughout the semester. 

Meeting dates and locations for the class of 2026 are:

Friday, May 1 -- Orientation in Laramie.

Thursday-Friday, Aug. 27-28 -- Education and health care focus, Cheyenne and Laramie.

Wednesday-Friday, Sept. 16-18 -- Tourism focus, Jackson and Lander.

Wednesday-Friday, Oct. 7-9 -- Agriculture and manufacturing focus, Buffalo and Sheridan.

Thursday-Friday, Oct. 29-30 -- Energy focus, Casper.

Friday, Nov. 20 -- Mock presentations, Laramie.

Friday, Dec. 4 -- Final presentations, Laramie.

“The Leadership Academy equips students to navigate Wyoming’s most pressing economic and civic challenges while refining their personal leadership abilities,” says Chris Haller, director of UW’s Center for Principle-Based Leadership and Ethics. “As Wyoming looks ahead, it’s more important than ever to develop leaders who can think systemically, collaborate across differences and act with integrity.”

The Leadership Academy is a collaboration between the Center for Principle-Based Leadership and Ethics and Leadership Wyoming, an organization with more than two decades of expertise in leadership development across the state. This partnership ensures that students benefit from high-quality leadership training and unique networking opportunities with leaders from across Wyoming.

Participants will travel to multiple Wyoming communities, engage with local businesses and organizations, and learn directly from leaders working in the industries that drive the state’s economy. The Leadership Academy is a three-credit, upper-division course and is open to all undergraduate students enrolled at UW’s Laramie campus during the fall 2026 semester.

Students interested in participating can apply here. Faculty, staff and community members also may nominate outstanding student leaders for the program here. The application deadline is Wednesday, April 1.

For more information about the Leadership Academy, prospective applicants can visit the website, call Haller at (307) 766-6271 or email chris.haller@uwyo.edu.

About UW’s Center for Principle-Based Leadership and Ethics

The Center for Principle-Based Leadership and Ethics is committed to developing the next generation of ethical leaders and organizations in Wyoming and beyond. The center’s higher purpose is to build principled leaders for a better tomorrow.

About Leadership Wyoming

Leadership Wyoming is a nine-month program for leaders across the state to learn about the industries, communities, challenges and opportunities facing Wyoming. Graduates of the program become part of an alumni network of about 1,000 leaders in the state, with continued leadership and networking opportunities.