Shaping the
next generation
of trailblazing leaders.
An 8-week virtual STEM leadership and career readiness program for underrepresented college students in the Houston metro area. Graduate with a verified credential, a sharper professional voice, and the network to back it up.
Applications close June 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST
"Equipping the next class of leaders to lead from day one."
Four pillars. One trajectory.
Every week builds on the last. Students move from leadership identity through professional development and into a capstone they pitch to industry leaders.
Leadership Foundations
Personal branding, career vision, and discovering your leadership style.
Professional Development
Executive presence, technical communication, and strategic thinking.
Networking & Resilience
Social capital, fireside chats, and sustainable leadership practices.
Capstone & Pitch
Build an innovation proposal and present it to an industry panel.
The full curriculum.
Each week is one live virtual session plus pre-work, triad meetings, and applied "leader challenges," about 4–6 hours total per week.
Leadership Identity & Personal Branding
Self-assessment, brand statement, and triad formation.
STEM Career Pathways & Leadership Styles
Career vision mapping and identifying your dominant leadership style.
Technical Communication & Executive Presence
Storytelling, public speaking, and the polished professional intro.
Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving
Systems thinking, design thinking, and capstone topic selection.
STEM Networking & Social Capital
Outreach scripts, mentor identification, and live networking practice.
Leadership Resilience & Wellness
Burnout, boundaries, and building your sustainable leadership toolkit.
Capstone Development & Refinement
Draft your innovation proposal and workshop it with peers and facilitators.
Capstone Presentations to Industry Panel
Present your solution. Top 3 advance to AfroTech and Production Day.
The faces of LeadershipU.
From mentorship to milestones. Moments from our community across the country.
Built for future trailblazers.
LeadershipU is designed for underrepresented college students pursuing STEM degrees in the Houston metro area. Here's what we look for.
Houston-Based
You live in the Houston metro area OR attend a college/university in the Houston metro area.
Pursuing STEM
Declared or intended major in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Any discipline qualifies.
Leading Already
You don't need a title. You need a story. Moments where you've shown initiative, vision, or care for community.
Every graduate walks away with more.
All 33 graduates earn a verified digital credential. The top 3 performers earn an experience that can shift the trajectory of their career.
All Graduates
Upon completing the 8-week program
- Accredible digital credential: verified, shareable, and employer-recognized
- LinkedIn badge: permanently live on your profile
- Capstone portfolio: featured in the LeadershipU LookBook
- Industry panel exposure: your work in front of leaders
Top 3 Performers
Selected at capstone presentations
- Professional Production Day: a filmed leadership journey video
- Paid AfroTech all-access pass: Houston, Nov 2–6, 2026
- Industry networking experience: local event in Houston before the conference
Mark your calendar.
The application window is open for six weeks. Decisions are sent the second week of June. Plan ahead, since submitted applications cannot be edited.
Applications Open
Five-week application window begins.
Applications Close
Final deadline. 11:59 PM EST. No late submissions.
Decisions Sent
Accepted, waitlisted, and declined notifications.
Cohort Confirmed
Final roster of 33 students locked in.
Virtual Orientation
Onboarding session and welcome kits arrive.
Program Begins
Week 1: Leadership Identity & Personal Branding.
Capstone Presentations
Final pitches to the industry panel and graduation.
AfroTech Conference
Top 3 performers travel to Houston for the national conference and Production Day.
Powered by partners who believe.
LeadershipU is made possible through the generosity of corporate sponsors, foundation grants, and community partners who share our vision for equitable access to STEM leadership development. Every dollar fuels a student's trajectory.
Your investment creates measurable impact
Each cohort produces 33 credentialed STEM leaders, 33 capstone innovation projects, and a verifiable footprint of career-ready talent, at an average cost of $1,000 per student.
Interested in partnering with us?
Corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, in-kind partnerships, and mentor connections all move this work forward. Let's talk about what your organization can contribute and what you'll get in return.
Become a Partner →Questions, answered.
How much time does the program require each week?
Do I need previous leadership experience to apply?
What counts as a STEM major?
Is the program really free?
How are the Top 3 performers selected?
What if I'm graduating before December 2026?
Can I edit my application after I submit?
How long does the application take?
Your leadership journey starts here.
Join 33 STEM students from across the Houston metro area for an experience designed to shift how you see yourself, and how the world sees you.
Start Your Application →Applications close June 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST