The Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) is a highly-competitive leadership development program for emerging and high-potential leaders in non-profit organizations and local government agencies within the City of Chicago and Cook County. Civic Leadership Academy fellows engage in a six-month interdisciplinary leadership development curriculum that includes classes taught by world-renowned University of Chicago faculty, original Chicago-based case studies to uncover core lessons about civic leadership in an applied setting, conversations with civic leaders throughout Chicago, as well as a week-long global practicum in Paris.
Civic Leadership Academy (CLA)
Eligibility– Full-time employee of a Chicago nonprofit organization
– Demonstrate a strong track record of leadership, innovation, and high performance
– Minimum of five years of work experience in the civic sector
– Be nominated by a supervisor and provide one additional letter of recommendation
– Be intellectually curious, reflective, ambitious, innovative, collaborative, and committed to positive change
– CPS Leader (Pay Grade S08 – S16)
– No active discipline issues at CPS (e.g., CAP, PIP, Warning Resolution, etc.).
– At least one year of service with CPS (full-time as of 8/1/2023)
– Have not received a Lead with CPS sponsorship in the last year (i.e., anytime after August 1, 2023).
Competency AlignmentAdapts and Shows Resilience Fosters Trusting Relationships Influences Others Strategizes and Drives for Results
ORGANIZATIONUniversity of Chicago
DURATIONSix months
TIME COMMITMENTBi-weekly, day-long classroom sessions, monthly Civic Practitioner Leadership Series discussions, one-week global practicum. Total of 130 hours of curriculum
APPLICATION WINDOW
Applications for this program are now closed. To receive information when the application opens for the 2025-26 program, please complete this interest form.
CONTACT For questions about the program or the application process contact civicleadershipacademy@uchicago.edu
For questions about CPS funding or other leadership development opportunities, contact leaderdevelopment@cps.edu
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For questions about the program or the application process contact civicleadershipacademy@uchicago.edu
For questions about CPS funding or other leadership development opportunities, contact leaderdevelopment@cps.edu
CONTACT
For questions about the program or the application process contact civicleadershipacademy@uchicago.edu
For questions about CPS funding or other leadership development opportunities, contact leaderdevelopment@cps.edu
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