This is an exclusive experience that puts you in an environment with built-in support and friends from day one of your VCU Experience. Not only will you learn about yourself through fun and engaging leadership courses, but you will gain lifelong friends with your mentor and pod. After 18 years of the Emerging Leaders Program, we can assure you that you will have a great time and this will put you on the trajectory for success at VCU!
First year students in ELP are categorized as ‘mentees'. Mentees are paired with second year mentors who guide and encourage them throughout the year. Mentees and mentors will work in small groups that we call "pods."
No. All residential ELP students live together in the West Grace North Residence Center (WGN) in apartment-style housing. Due to the nature of the program being a living-learning community, all ELP students will be placed with roommates in the program. If you accept the offer to ELP, you will not be able to keep your roommate unless they are also in ELP. **We assure you that you will make lifelong friends in this program and if you're concerned about this requirement please let us know. We have ELP students who can share their experience with you!**
Mentees are required enroll in one class for this program. Students will enroll in REAL301 (3 credit) in the spring semester.
There is no cost to join ELP, in fact we pay students a $750 scholarship (per semester) to be a part of the program! However, there will be costs involved in taking the required course for ELP and living in the residence hall (which is not a requirement for non-residential students). All other program costs including events, access to speakers, meals, leadership trainings, and socials are free to all participants.
We have two hour meetings every week from 5-7pm. These meetings are mandatory for all students to regroup as a program, engage in leadership learning, and connect as a community. All ELP students are expected to schedule their classes around this meeting time and failure to participate may result in dismissal from the program and scholarship.
The 1st year Mentees will receive a $750 scholarship for the first semester and have the opportunity for a renewed scholarship for second semester if the Mentee meets specified goals. In total, a successful mentee will receive $1,500 over their first year for participating in ELP as well as the non-monetary benefits of an established and supportive community, leadership skills, and supportive staff for the remainder of their time at VCU!
Yes! ELP mentees have an opportunity to continue their involvement and impact in ELP by applying to be an ELP Mentor in their second year. Mentors receive a larger scholarship and are required to mentor a group of students in a pod, participate in a leadership course in their fall semester, and engage fully in weekly meetings. To continue in their position, Mentors must maintain a 3.0 GPA and remain in good standing in the program. The Emerging Leaders Program also hires third-year students to be interns, which is another scholarship opportunity for those who just can't get enough of their time in ELP!
Yes! For students who wish to explore leadership after their first year, the VCU Transform Living-Learning Program is a robust experience that connects leadership learning through coursework and experiential learning. Applications for the following year open in October and close in February. For more information, visit www.lead.vcu.edu