VCU welcomes the 18th cohort of the Emerging Leaders Program

October 10, 2023

On a sunny August morning, the Emerging Leaders Program staff, mentors and interns welcomed 50 first-year students to VCU and the ELP community. The celebration of ELP’s 18th cohort brings new and exciting changes to the program, staff and student enrollment. Some notable changes include accepting out-of-state students; increasing scholarships to allow for 50 mentees, 11 mentors, two interns and three teaching assistants, and new experiential learning courses; and aligning biweekly meetings with specific outcomes to best meet the needs of first-year VCU students.

The members of the 18th experienced ELP orientation, their first event. Amid programmatic expectations and staff introductions, they spent time within their pods and participated in icebreakers. After lunch, mentees participated in the annual VCU Scavenger Hunt through Ravenchase Adventures, working within their pods to solve puzzles related to the VCU campus for a chance to win the coveted golden Elvis gnome. Concepts of leadership, working in groups and teams, and program expectations were woven into the conversations and reflection. Mentees left with a sense of belonging and curiosity for what’s next.

As new ELP students, the mentees will be taking a Principles of Leadership course, engaging in leadership and service hours in the VCU and surrounding communities, and participate in biweekly meetings. They will also be expected to engage with their pods and mentor on a regular basis, a cornerstone of the program. While there are new changes and program growth, the foundations of the program remain the primary driver, as students begin a program that prioritizes community and leadership learning.