Leadership Development Program

A year-long series of programming designed to advance high impact college admission counseling professionals.


The Leadership Development Program (LDP) is a rewarding professional and personal growth opportunity sponsored by the Minnesota Association for College Admission Counseling (MACAC). Developed in 2008 by leaders in our profession, this unique program is designed to provide opportunities for individuals to investigate, define and further develop their leadership skills.

Participants will also learn about the professional associations that are highly regarded by veterans in the college counseling and admissions field: MACAC and the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). Participants will be selected from the ranks of high school counselors, career center professionals and college admission professionals, with three or more years of experience assisting students in the transition to post-secondary education.

The goal of this 11-month program is to provide a training forum for emerging leaders who will take new skills back to their own institutions, as well as apply these leadership skills to their work in our professional organizations. Participants in the program will attend specific seminars and events designed to focus on leadership skills and will be paired with mentors to work with throughout the year.


Apply for the Leadership Development Program


Leadership Development Program Objectives:

  1. Provide opportunities for leadership contributions by participants to their home institution (high school, college or university) as a result of participation in this program.

  2. Help participants gain an understanding of the collaborative leadership “culture” that MACAC desires to preserve.

  3. Help participants identify and develop individual leadership styles that are aligned with and complement the organization’s mission and culture.

  4. Help participants gain a working knowledge of both the MACAC and NACAC structure.

  5. Help participants develop skills to participate in and/or lead MACAC committees and associated meetings (facilitation, conflict management, group dynamics).


    Program Expectations:

    All participants are expected to attend all program sessions as outlined below and to complete required readings.

    August 19:  One day Kickoff Meeting (in person)

    November 12:  Meeting and session with MACAC’s Fall Forum PD Event

    January TBD:  Lunch and meeting in conjunction with the MACAC Winter Forum

    Optional - February:  Participation in Day on the Hill with MACAC Leadership/Government Relations Committee

    May 23:  Final session during Spring MACAC Conference, wrap up and recognition

    Ongoing: Connect with a MACAC Committee. (For more information about Committees, go to mn-acac.org)


    Program Costs:

    All direct program costs, excluding incidentals, will be covered by MACAC.

    Application requirements:

    Complete the Online Application, which includes a Supervisor Support Statement no later than July 10, 2021. Participants will be selected by MACAC LDP program organizers.  Decisions will be e-mailed by July 15, 2021.




    LDP Faculty Mentors

    TBD for 2021


    Leadership Development Program Committee Members & Contact Information:

    Questions? Contact committee tri-chairs  at president@mn-acac.org

    Sarah Hogan, Co-Chair, Providence Academy

    Garth Robertson, Co-Chair, GR College Consulting 

    Mai Nhia Xiong-Chan, Co-Chair, Hamline University



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