Leadership Lafayette: Frequently Asked Questions

I’m interested in participating, but I don’t know if my employer will support me. What should I do?

Organizations and businesses benefit from your participation in many ways. Leadership Lafayette increases your visibility among diverse groups of people and companies and engages you in our local community, providing new opportunities for both yourself and your employer.

Additionally, full employer support is a requirement of participating in Leadership Lafayette. If needed, you can contact us for a customizable letter to share with your employer about the benefits of participation.

I’m not sure I can afford tuition. Should I still apply?

Yes! Selection to Leadership Lafayette is made without regard to your financial circumstances. If you’re employed, we encourage you to check with your employer to see if they will cover the $2,500 tuition, either in part or full, as an investment in your professional development.

To ensure qualified and diverse representation in the Leadership Lafayette program, financial assistance may be available for those with demonstrated financial need. At this time, LIA offers limited tuition assistance for up to $1,000 of the tuition cost. Tuition assistance requests are to be submitted at the time of application. Tuition assistance requests are considered only after the class selection process is complete and will in no way impact consideration of your Leadership Lafayette application.

How many applications are received for Leadership Lafayette each year?

LIA does not disclose the exact number of applications for any of our programs. Acceptance into Leadership Lafayette is a competitive process as we receive significantly more applications than the allotted spaces. Each year, the number of applications increases, yet the number we can accommodate in the class remains between 32-36 participants. Many Leadership Lafayette participants have applied multiple times before being accepted into their class.

What can I do to strengthen my application?

The most overlooked recommendation to strengthen your application is to have a peer or co-worker review your responses to ensure you’re putting your best foot forward. If you would like to have an alumnus review your application prior to submission, please contact us at info@leadacadiana. We will also offer several application coaching sessions between September and November.

Participating in Intro Lafayette can also strengthen your application. Intro Lafayette is a two-day program designed to jumpstart your involvement in our community.

What happens after my application is submitted?

After the submission deadline, our Selection Committee reviews all completed applications. The timeline of this process depends on the size of the applicant pool. If you are selected, you can expect a phone call and/or email from one of our program coordinators. Applicants that are not selected for the program will be notified via email.

How long is each session / how long should I expect to be away from work?

Typically, Leadership Lafayette sessions are from 8 am to 5 pm. Occasionally, there are sessions that begin earlier or end later. We communicate any changes to the class ahead of the session.

Am I required to attend every session?

Yes, participants accepted into Leadership Lafayette are expected to attend every session. If, after looking at the full program calendar, you have conflicts with the dates, we recommend waiting to apply next year.

How many people are selected to participate?

We typically accept 32-36 participants per yearly class.

How much time is required outside of the scheduled sessions?

Between scheduled sessions, we will coordinate optional tours and meetings and curate readings, videos, etc. for the class. While these are optional, we highly encourage participants to attend in what they can to supplement their program experience.

How should I dress?

Dress for most sessions is business casual. We will communicate if there are exceptions for a certain session (e.g. sometimes closed-toe shoes are required in some facilities; more casual dress is required because of an activity; etc.).

How can I stay involved after graduation?

The best way to stay involved is by investing in community leadership through an LIA alumni membership. We host various networking and educational events throughout the year for members to attend and stay connected with other community leaders.

Questions?

If you have another question, please contact us directly for more information.