Emerging Leader Certificate : University of Dayton, Ohio

Emerging Leader Certificate

Next cohort begins January 2026

How do you develop your organization's executives of the future? Research indicates that top performers can be as much as 400% - 800% more productive than the average employee. Yet, it takes anywhere from 12 - 20 years to develop even a top-performing leader to be successful in an executive role. In order to retain high-potential individuals, organizations must continue to invest in their training and development. The Emerging Leader Program can help you do just that.

The Emerging Leader Program is a year-long leadership and business skill development program for high-potential future executives in corporate, government, and non-profit business organizations. In addition to experiential leadership and development training using local, regional, and national thought leaders and top UD School of Business professors as facilitators, the program includes multiple assessments, networking with other high-potential leaders, executive coaching, and a formal mentoring program. Emerging Leaders graduate with the skills and confidence needed to be successful at the next level and beyond.

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Program Benefits

Build a powerful network of rising leaders across industries—connections you can tap into throughout your career.
Receive broad-based training on essential leadership topics, including executive effectiveness, achieving greater outcomes, coaching for impact, workplace culture, leading change, finance, operations, strategic management, and many more!
Gain valuable insights through assessments, including the Korn Ferry 360, Leadership Practices Inventory 360, Myers-Briggs Global Step II, and the Great Workplace Culture Assessment—all paired with mentoring and coaching to support your leadership growth.
Attend two Executive Development Programs at no additional cost within 12 months of completing the program.
If you’ve completed the Emerging Leader Program in the past five years, you’re eligible for a tuition reduction equal to three (3) credit hours in the UD MBA program. Learn more
Upon successful completion, participants will earn a digital badge to highlight growth and achievements.

Audience

If you're a high-performing leader who plays a critical role in your organization and is ready for greater responsibility or a move into senior leadership, this program is for you. Your participation, and your organization’s support, can help position you for a confident, successful transition into executive leadership.

Upcoming Emerging Leader Programs

January 2025 Emerging Leader Calendar

December 16-17, 2025 - Business Simulation
December 17, 2025 - Graduation

August 2025 Emerging Leader Calendar

December 18, 2025 - Leading Change
January 15, 2025 - Coaching for Performance
February 4, 2025 - Executive Presence: Leading with Authenticity
February 24, 2025 - Marketing Essentials
March 12, 2025 - The Art of Influence & Persuasion for the Effective Leader
March 31-Arpil 1, 2025 - The Leadership Challenge
April 21, 2025 - Leading Community Collaboration
May 13, 2025 - Learn, Lead, and Serve
May 27, 2025 - Accounting Fundamentals
June 11, 2025 - Finance for Non-Financial Managers
July 8, 2025 - Operations Management
July 22-23, 2025 - Business Simulation
July 23, 2025 - Graduation

January 2026 Emerging Leader Calendar

January 13, 2026 - Orientation: Using Personality Types to Enhance Leadership
February 12, 2026 - Leveraging Mentorship for Growth
March 4, 2026 - Achieving Greater Outcomes: Leading with Intention & Purpose
March 24, 2026 - Executive Effectiveness: Functioning at Your Full Capacity
April 9, 2026 - Coaching for Impact: Fostering Engagement, Ownership, & Results
April 23, 2026 - Strategic Management
May 14, 2026 - Marketing Essentials
May 20, 2026 - The Art of Influence & Persuasion for the Effective Leader
June 9, 2026 - Executive Presence: Leading with Authenticity
June 23, 2026 - Creating a Great Workplace Culture
July 14, 2026 - Leading Change
August 4-5, 2026 - The Leadership Challenge
August 25, 2026 - Leading Community Collaboration
September 15, 2026 - Learn, Lead, & Serve
October 6, 2026 - Accounting Fundamentals
October 28, 2026 - Finance for Non-Financial Managers
November 17, 2026 - Operations Management
December 15-16, 2026 - Business Simulation
December 16, 2026 - Graduation

Investment

The Emerging Leader certificate program is open to:

Employees of UDCL partner organizations: $12,600
Public: $13,650

The Emerging Leader program includes 20 days of leadership and business skill development training, leadership assessments, including two 360^o feedback assessments, a formal mentoring program, one-on-one coaching, all materials, and breakfast and lunch each full day. Upon successful completion, participants earn a digital badge that demonstrates their leadership capabilities and can be added to their resume and LinkedIn profile. Graduates are also eligible to attend two additional days of Executive Development programming at no extra cost.

Digital Badge

Successful graduates of the Emerging Leader Certificate program will receive a digital badge that can be added to their resume and LinkedIn profile, showcasing their leadership development and accomplishments.

Emerging Leader Certificate 2025 Schedule

Download the 2025 Emerging Leader Schedule.

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Emerging Leader Certificate 2026 Schedule

Download the 2026 Emerging Leader Schedule.

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"I've learned through the Emerging Leader program a great deal of leadership skill sets that I think will live with me the rest of my life."

Emerging Leader Grad