Wichita State University
Leadership Academy Course
The Leadership Academy, part of the original Cohen gift strives to be a curricular program that engages students in contemporary research and scholarship based on an annual theme, question, or issue. For the 2026 theme, “Currents, Waves & Tides: Leadership in Motion” students will participate as a cohort in a summer pre-session course including a Place as Text travel experience and a design thinking focused project culminating in pitches to the faculty thought leaders and our annual community partners.
Honors students have big dreams and ask big questions that don’t fit neatly into disciplinary models and majors. The academy is envisioned to be a transformative leadership experience that brings together collaborative dual intellectual communities.
Leadership Academy Model
First, a team of faculty thought leaders will collectively imagine an interdisciplinary course focused on the annual theme and leadership- exploring tension, challenges/problems, and big ideas. Second, the students will create another layer in the intellectual community and are invited to engage with the faculty thought leaders in a process that is aimed at deepening understanding, integrating collective and individual experiences through course work and travel with the goal of sparking ideas, solutions, policy, and project pitches.
Travel Experience
The 2026 Lead for Tomorrow Cohen Honors Leadership Academy is heading to the coast! This year’s Place as Text location is Charleston, South Carolina exploring “Currents, Waves & Tides: Leadership in Motion.” A more detailed travel itinerary will be provided to Academy students during the Spring 2026 semester. Our Place as Text experience will be a time to build understanding, develop leadership skills, and connection with fellow students and faculty.
Pre-Session Course Dates: Tuesday, June 2- Friday, June 5, 2026 (on-campus, full day classes in Devlin Hall)
Travel Dates: Sunday, June 7 - Friday, June 12, 2026 (in Charleston)
Final Community Partner Presentation Date: Monday, June 15, 2026 (on-campus, 9am-12pm)
**Please note dates and locations subject to change due to logistical needs or changes.
Course Meeting Times
Summer 2026 Pre-Session
Pre-Session Course Dates: Tuesday, June 2 - Friday, June 5, 2026 (on-campus, full day classes 9am-4pm)
BREAK: Saturday, June 6, 2026 (prepare for travel)
Travel Dates: Sunday, June 7 - Friday, June 12, 2026 (in Charleston)
Final Community Partner Presentation Date: Monday, June 12, 2026 (on-campus, 9am-12pm)
Who can participate?
Cohen Honors College students, you must be an admitted student in good standing within the honors college.
Program Costs
Cost associated with travel and the Lead for Tomorrow experience are covered by a gift from Dorothy and Bill Cohen. (Includes flights, housing, ground travel, most meals, and excursions)
Domestic Location Cost (student responsibility)
- Cost of tuition for the course (summer course, 3 credit hours)
- “Gap” Housing- extending time in residence halls during summer presession class time
- Meals on travel days (airport meals on Sunday, June 7 and Friday, June 12)
- Some Ground Transportation as needed (buses, trolleys, etc. that require individual fares
- Discretionary spending (i.e. souvenirs, snacks, admissions during free time) during our Place As Text trip
Flights and Housing
Flights
- Students will be expected to travel to and from Charleston as part of the group with Faculty Thought Leaders.
- Students will not have the option to extend their travel time or take flights other than the group itinerary.
Housing
- Students will stay at College of Charleston campus in Twin En-Suite rooms.
- Class sessions, daily breakfast, and basic needs shopping are all available on property.
- Wifi will be provided on campus in the housing and common areas.
Past Academy Themes and Place as Text Locations
2021- Santa Fe, New Mexico | “The Stories We Weave: Understanding Culture and Community Through Visual and Verbal Stories”
2022- Seattle, Washington | “Building Better Relationships: Connection, Collaboration, Communication, Comprehension”
2023- Portland, Maine | “Connected Leadership: Creating a Community of Leaders”
2024- Memphis, Tennessee | “The Rhythm of Leadership”
2025- Scotland, United Kingdom | “The Lore of Leadership”
Photos from previous Lead for Tomorrow experiences
