LEAD Application 2025

Thank you for your interest in joining LEAD Cohort 6! This application will take approximately 1 hour to complete. Please read all of the information below before submitting your application.

LEAD Overview

LEAD is a year-long leader formation program that aims to amplify Latino voices in the classroom, at the school level, and beyond. The program is designed to form, advance, and retain Latino educators in Catholic schools.

Participants in LEAD 6 will begin with a virtual orientation in July 2025. Starting in August 2025 and continuing through May 2026, participants will meet monthly with a professional learning community led by a LEAD mentor. Ahead of each month's meeting, participants will complete an online module that includes readings, reflection questions, and supplemental resources. Meetings are held virtually and participants are grouped by time zone to facilitate ease of meeting scheduling.

All participants will gather for a retreat on October 3-5, 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The fellowship will culminate in a three-day conference on campus at the University of Notre Dame in July 2026.

Participants are expected to attend all monthly meetings, the mid-year retreat, and the closing conference. At the closing conference, participants will receive a certificate of professional growth points for their participation in LEAD.

Visit the LEAD website for additional information.

Cost

LEAD participants pay a one-time $700 program fee.

Thanks to philanthropic support, this fee covers the cost of all books and materials, ongoing support from a LEAD mentor via monthly virtual meetings, lodging and meals for the mid-year retreat and closing conference, and a $200 stipend towards travel to and from the mid-year retreat. Participants are expected to cover their own travel expenses for the closing conference at the University of Notre Dame in July 2026.

Application Timeline

Applications must be submitted by April 11, 2025. Participants will be notified of acceptance by April 30, 2025.

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding the program or application process, contact LEAD Coordinator Jocelyn Smith (jsmith89@nd.edu).

Personal Background

First Name

Last Name

Preferred Name

If your first name is different than the name that you prefer to be called, let us know.
(Example: My name is Mariana but I prefer to be called Mari.)

Birthdate

Contact Information

Mobile Phone Number

Work Phone Number

Email Address

Permanent Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

Professional Information

School Name

Job Title

(Arch)diocese

How many years have you worked at your current school (including the current year)?

How many years have you worked in education (including the current year)?

School Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

What grade levels does your school serve?

K-8

6-8

9-12

K-12

In what type of setting is your school located?

Rural

Suburban

Urban

Principal First and Last Name

Principal Email

Superintendent First and Last Name

Superintendent Email

Do you plan to pay the LEAD program fee ($700) with federal or state funds?

Yes

No

If you selected "No", how will you plan to pay?

My school will pay

Personal funds

Recommendation

As part of your application to LEAD, we ask that you provide one professional reference.

Upon submitting your application, the person whose contact information you provide below will receive an email from Jocelyn Smith (jsmith@nd.edu) with an electronic recommendation form to complete.

Reference First Name

Reference Last Name

Title

Phone Number

Reference Email

Resume and Essay Questions

Please upload a copy of your resume.

Please upload a headshot or other professional photo

How did you learn about LEAD?

What are your motivations and interests in applying to be a member of LEAD?
(Press ⌘ (Mac) or Control (PC) to select more than one option)

Please share any additional reasons not listed above.

What does your identity as a Latino educator mean to you?
Your response should be approximately 100–200 words in length.

How do you promote Latino representation in your Catholic school community?
Your response should be approximately 100–200 words in length.

What aspirations do you have for growing as a Catholic school leader in the next 3–5 years? How do you think that participating in LEAD will help you achieve these goals?
Your response should be approximately 100–200 words in length.