The LeaderShape® Institute held its pilot program in 1986 at the Allerton Conference Center near Champaign, Illinois. Originally developed by Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity as a means of improving campus leadership, The LeaderShape® Institute now serves young adults representing a wide variety of organizations throughout the United States.

In 1988, LeaderShape®, Inc. was formed as a separate non-profit corporation to take charge of The LeaderShape® Institute and further its mission of developing young adults to “lead with integrity.” The creation of an independent non-profit corporation has expanded the base of financial support and encouraged a more diverse mix of participants at The LeaderShape® Institute.

In 1992, the University of Michigan College of Engineering invited LeaderShape® to create a partnership to bring The LeaderShape® Institute to its campus and run a session of the program exclusively for Michigan students. This project was very successful and created the opportunity for more schools to operate “campus-based” sessions of The Institute.

To date, more than 18,000 participants from colleges, universities, and corporations from across the country have attended The LeaderShape® Institute. In addition, more than 2,500 volunteer faculty have contributed their time and talents since the program began in 1986. The number of sessions of The LeaderShape® Institute will expand throughout the next several years to accommodate increasing numbers of participants, organizations, and campus sites.

LeaderShape®, Inc. is governed by a Board of Trustees, staffed by a team of employees, and supported by numerous committed volunteers.

Participant Information

Each session of The LeaderShape® Institute is comprised of approximately 50-60 men and women - ages 17 to 25 - sponsored by various organizations from diverse ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds. Since 1986, more than 18,000 participants from over 500 universities, colleges and organizations across America have been part of The LeaderShape® Institute.

After completing the experience, participants and sponsoring organizations notice numerous changes in themselves and their interactions with others. And its little wonder - The Institute does something no other experience can match. That's because it prepares young people to change their worlds by providing the tools needed to achieve new insights, improve relationships, build more effective teams and, ultimately, enhance society.

At The LeaderShape® Institute, participants create a LeaderShape® project to undertake when they leave. The objective of each participant's project is to produce extraordinary results in their organization during the next nine to twelve months. The Institute guides participants in developing the necessary skills to effectively implement their projects.


For more information contact:
Lauren Cove
Undergraduate Programs Office, CBA 2.400
McCombs School of Business