UMass Boston

Center Programs

For over two decades, the Center for Collaborative Leadership has actively developed future leaders of all backgrounds through the following programs.

Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)

In today’s competitive landscape, exceptional leadership is your advantage. The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is more than leadership training—it’s a strategic investment in your ability to lead, innovate, and drive change. Since 2002, we’ve empowered over 900 professionals across corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors with the skills to lead inclusively and effectively.

This 9-month hybrid program blends virtual and in-person learning, combining advanced leadership diagnostics, AI-powered development tools, 1:1 coaching, and expert mentorship to accelerate growth. Participants engage in interactive workshops, high-impact networking, team projects, and fireside chats with industry leaders—all designed to sharpen leadership capabilities and expand professional influence.

Flexible Pricing for Organizations

To ensure accessibility, ELP offers a sliding scale for nonprofit and government participants:

  • Corporate / For-Profit: $7,500 per fellow ($7,000 each for 2+)
  • Nonprofit / Government ($100M+): $7,500 per fellow ($7,000 each for 2+)
  • Nonprofit / Government ($50M–$100M): $5,500 per fellow
  • Nonprofit / Government ($10M–$50M): $4,500 per fellow
  • Nonprofit / Government (<$10M): $3,500 per fellow

Nomination & Application Process

The 2025–2026 nomination process is now open. Candidates must be nominated by a senior leader and submit a resume, leadership essay, brief bio, and high-resolution photo. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until August 1, 2025.

Interested? Email Leaders@umb.edu to register for an upcoming info session.

United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) Scholars Program

The USCGA Scholars Program gives engineering and cyber students an additional year of coursework before entering the academy. This ensures they are prepared to excel in the Coast Guard’s engineering and cyber workforce.  

With a focus on STEM prep and collaborative leadership development, the partnership offers a focus on the foundations necessary to support cadet success in Engineering and Cyber Systems. In addition, the program supports the USCGA’s mission to produce graduates who are technically educated and prepared for success in their Coast Guard careers. As a minority-serving institution, the third most diverse campus in the country, and STEM programs that enroll significant populations of people of color and women, there is perhaps no better institution from which to begin a pipeline.

  • WHO: First-year UMass Boston students
  • WHAT: A seminar-style intensive leadership forum
  • WHEN: October 2023 - May 2024—monthly 90-minute sessions; plus, community engagement and action-based learning
  • WHY: Provide opportunities that will both support and challenge students to succeed academically, grow as leaders, and enter the Coast Guard Academy
  • HOW: In partnership with the William Joiner Institute, COSMIC, and the USCGA

Custom Programs

The Center develops custom in-house leadership development programs in which we provide customized training modules to fit your organization's needs. Programs are designed to engage employees from across the organization to build camaraderie, teamwork, open dialogue, and a collaborative work environment. Recent and current clients include the Boston Public Library, Kraft Group, Boston Public Schools, UMass Boston, and BNY Mellon.