Lead by Design is a springboard for first-generation first- and second-year students to build a meaningful college experience and begin shaping a purposeful life path.
Your life. Your design. Your terms.
Blending the Life Design framework with leadership development, Lead by Design is a two-year journey connecting academics, personal growth and life planning to help students shape a meaningful college experience — and a future — that’s genuinely their own.
Lead by Design is a 4-quarter learning experience starting in your first year by exploring how to take charge of your college experience and in the second year, expanding to shape a fulfilling career and life vision. Students who complete all four quarters are awarded a certificate.
Applications now open for 2027 first-year students
Registration closes Nov. 22
Schedule
Wednesdays
4:10 to 6 p.m.
Dates
Winter 2027: Jan. 4 to March 10
Spring 2027: March 31 to June 2
Academic credit
Units: 2 per quarter
Grading: Pass or no pass
Recognition: Certificate awarded at the end of two-year program
Format
All first- and second-year students are welcome to apply. Lead by Design is a 4-quarter experiential program designed to help students, including first-generation and low-income students, thrive at a research university. Participant commitment is 2-quarters in the first year and 2-quarters in the second year. All courses are pass or no pass.
Experiential learning space
Lead by Design aims to help you to explore new ways of thinking and challenges you to step outside your comfort zone through
- Interactive seminars: Hands-on exercises, skill-building, design thinking, dialogue, peer feedback and guided critical reflection.
- Comprehensive support system: Personalized guidance from staff, faculty and peer mentors. Community and connection are built among participant cohorts and academic advisors to help align academic choices with personal and professional goals.
- Off-site field trips: Immersive on- and off campus learning experiences.
Intentional structure
The program is designed to unfold across four quarters (two in the first year and two in the second year) to support meaningful progress, personal transformation and real-time application of what you learn. With time to reflect, experiment and grow— while being supported by instructors and peer mentors—you can
- Cultivate a clearer sense of direction and purpose to lead your college experience and begin shaping a purposeful life path.
- Build a deeper awareness of your personal values and goals while defining areas for personal growth.
- Identify how your lived experience influences your leadership skills
- Develop skills to navigate change and transitions by applying design thinking principles.
- Explore elements of college experiences and potential career pathways that interest you.
- Implement small steps to test, reflect and refine your college and life goals
- Practice making confident decisions about your future.
- Emerge with personalized roadmaps that weaves your values, academic interests, career goals, and aspirations.
For more information
Email [email protected]