The Institute™ by Leadershape®

The LeaderShape®  Institute™ is a nationally-recognized leadership development retreat.

The lllinois Leadership® Center coordinates a special session each year for Illinois undergraduate students, which takes place over winter break at the Allerton Park and Retreat Center in Monticello, IL.

The application for the 2024 session will open on September 25, 2023 and will close on October 24, 2023.

 

This retreat provides participants the opportunity for self-discovery, self-reflection and feedback in a community of approximately 60 peers. Not a typical leadership retreat, the Institute is grounded in helping individuals identify the values they hold that lead to making a difference in the communities around them. Through self-assessment, intensive small group discussions, team building challenges, and more, participants will develop a vision for something they care about.

By leading with passion, integrity, and a healthy disregard for the impossible, participants explore who they are and the impact that they want to have on communities working towards a more caring, just and equitable society.

Learn more about the LeaderShape®  Institute™ at https://www.leadershape.org/institute

Read testimonies from previous participants at https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/MZjWejPi

group photo of the 2020 participants

 

How to Participate

Current Students

Students must apply to participate in The Institute - see above.

About 60 Illinois students are selected each year to participate in our session of The Institute. Students are selected and sponsored financially by their respective colleges, departments, or units. This sponsorship includes transportation to and from the Allerton Park and Retreat Center and the Urbana-Champaign campus as well as room and board.

For the retreat, participants are placed into small groups or “Family Clusters.”

 

Information Sessions

Information sessions for current students will be offered in September and October. Students who are interested in attending an information session can register by logging into the ILC website. 

Wednesday, September 20, 6pm Zoom
Monday, September 25 , 4pm ILC Conference Room
Thursday, September 28, 5pm Zoom
Wednesday, October 4, 4pm Zoom
Tuesday, October 10, 4pm ILC Conference Room
Thursday, October 19, 3pm ILC Conference Room

 

click here to register

 

To register for an information session, students will need to follow these steps:

Step #1: Go to https://leadership.illinois.edu/login

Step #2: Login using your Illinois Net ID

Step #3: Click on the Registration tab to select and register. If the session is being held via Zoom, you will receive an email with the link.

 

 

University of Illinois Faculty, Staff, Alumni, or Local Community Members

Cluster Facilitators, who are typically University of Illinois faculty, staff, alumni, or local community members, serve as each group’s resource, catalyst, and coach. 

click here if you are interested in being a cluster facilitator

 

 

     

 

   

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a typical day look like?

Most days begin with breakfast at 7:45 AM and end around 9:00 or 10:00 PM. Participants can expect to engage in team building activities, group discussions and exercises, and individual reflections each day of the program. Daily meals, snacks and other refreshments are also provided to participants throughout each day.

 

Where is the program held?

It is held at the Allerton Park Retreat Center in Monticello, Illinois. Round-trip transportation, housing, and three daily meals will be provided for all participants. Learn more about Allerton Park here at https://allerton.illinois.edu/

 

How much does the program cost?

Participants will be selected and sponsored financially by their respective colleges, departments, or units, so participants do not pay to attend.

 

Can I arrive later or leave early from The Institute?

No, participants must be able to attend the entirety of the program. Applicants must agree to this expectation when completing the application form in order to be considered eligible.

 

Can graduate students attend The Institute?

No, this program is only open to Illinois undergraduate students.

 

For more information about applying to The Institute, contact the Illinois Leadership Center at 217-333-0604 or leadership@illinois.edu.