Applications for Semester 2, 2025 are now open!
What is the LEAD program?
LEAD stands for Leadership Exploration and Development and being a LEAD participant, you will embark on a journey of self-discovery. It’s a challenging and high-impact program that will take you beyond your studies and rapidly develop your leadership skills.
At GSA, we believe that leadership takes many forms and that everyone has the potential to lead. LEAD will challenge you to rethink your perceptions of leadership and find your unique leadership voice.
Across a series of structured workshops, peer connect conversations and coaching-style peer circles, you’ll reflect on your values, clarify your leadership identity, and learn how to navigate challenges with more confidence. LEAD is a practical and hands on, designed to support you to build greater self-awareness, strengthen your communication skills, and lead with purpose in the contexts that matter most to you.
Applications close 15th July, 5:00 PM
Key dates
The LEAD program for Semester 2 2025 will begin with a 1-hour introductory Zoom. The program will then run weekly from week 1 (1 August) to week 10 (10 October) over 10 sessions consisting of 5 in-person facilitator led sessions, plus online sessions and self directed activities.
LEAD participants must be able to attend ALL sessions and will need to state their commitment before the program commences. Please ensure you are available 9am-2pm every Friday (excepting mid-semester break and 3 October) .
Please note that Welcome, Workshops, and Closing session will be held at Kathleen Syme Library and Community Center on Faraday St (approx 5-minute walk from 1888 Building)
Semester 2, 2025 dates are:
· Introductory Session (Zoom) – 10am-11am, Friday 25th July
· Welcome – 9am-2pm, Friday 1 August
· Workshop 1 – 9am-2pm, Friday 8 August
· Self Directed Activity – Friday 15th August
· Peer Circle 1 (Zoom) – 90 minutes between 9am-2pm, Friday 22 August (time tbc)
· Workshop 2 – 9am-2pm, Friday 29th August
· Self Directed Activity (small group) – Friday 5th September
· Peer Circle 2 (Zoom) – 90 minutes between 9am-2pm, Friday 12th September (time tbc)
· Workshop 3 – 9am-2pm, Friday 19th September
· Self Directed Activity (small group) – Friday 26th September (or alternate day due to Public Holiday)
· Closing Celebration – 9am-2pm, Friday 10th October
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the intensive nature of the sessions, any participant who cannot attend a session, for any reason, will unfortunately not be able to continue the program.
I feel more confident and self-aware as a result – and I feel more capable of researching and learning more on my own.
- LEAD participant, 2022
Grow your confidence. Expand your impact.
At GSA, we believe that leadership takes many forms and that everyone has the potential to lead. LEAD will challenge you to rethink your perceptions of leadership and find your unique leadership voice.
Across a series of structured workshops, peer connect conversations and coaching-style peer circles, you’ll reflect on your values, clarify your leadership identity, and learn how to navigate challenges with more confidence. LEAD is a practical and hands on, designed to support you to build greater self-awareness, strengthen your communication skills, and lead with purpose in the contexts that matter most to you.
LEAD represents commitment and effort!
The program involves weekly contact, and we run in three-week cycles. Each cycle includes:
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- a half-day, in-person workshop
- a self-directed peer connect session
- a 90min facilitated online peer circle
To ensure you get off to a great start, we kick off with a Welcome in August and celebrate with a Closing session at the end of the program.
LEAD will help you:
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- Hone your confidence in your own unique leadership style.
- Understand your strengths and learn how to articulate your value professionally and interpersonally.
- Channel your existing passion and purpose and commit to the next steps toward your goals.
LEAD asks for your focus and dedication and the reward for your effort is a strong network of peers, sharper self-insight, and real-world tools you can apply straight away.
If you’re ready to show up, be curious, and grow your leadership, we’d love to see you in LEAD.
Over the course of the program, you will:
- Understand the value of a growth mindset, and how you can use your growth mindset to achieve your personal and professional goals.
- Gain clarity around the values that drive you and master how to be authentically ‘you’ in a professional setting.
- Develop effective professional and interpersonal communication skills.
- Learn how to support your own health and wellbeing in service of energised leadership for complex times.
- Understand how to use all of these skills in a socially responsible manner.
GSA welcomes applications from any graduate student at the University of Melbourne, regardless of field of study, mode of study, or any other personal qualities or background. However, for this program you must be able to attend in person at the Parkville Campus.
The main selection criteria is about knowing what your goals are and being absolutely dedicated to them.
Applications will be selected on the basis of:
- Commitment to developing strong leadership skills and practices.
- Capacity to attend all programmed sessions (please see key dates section above).
- Potential and desire to develop as a socially responsible leader.
- Prior public or community service or leadership experience.
- Need and fit for the program.
Application is via completion of the online application form below.
Applications close 5.00pm Wednesday 26 February.
If you have questions about the program or application process, please contact lead@gsa.unimelb.edu.au
Applications for Semester 2, 2025 are now open.
Applications close 15th July, 5:00 PM