2025-2026 Leadership Development Program (LDP)

A year-long series of programming designed to advance high impact college admission counseling professionals.

Thank you for your interest in the nationally recognized Minnesota Association for College Admission Counseling (MACAC) Leadership Development Program (LDP).  We encourage applications from professionals who assist students in the transition to post-secondary education and who have a desire to deepen their impact in the profession. Program participation is limited to 12 individuals.

Leadership Development Program Objectives and Benefits:

1. Participants gain experiences encouraging greater leadership contributions to their home institution (high school, college or university), supported by mentor guidance and MACAC committee involvement.
2. Through shared texts, cohort learning, and MACAC event participation, participants practice leadership rooted in MACAC’s collaborative culture.
3. Reflection, mentor feedback, and peer dialogue help participants clarify their leadership identity within the profession.
4. Participants build knowledge of MACAC and NACAC through direct committee involvement, exposure to organizational operations and real-world leadership opportunities.
5. Graduates strengthen facilitation and group leadership skills while forming lasting connections via a virtual learning platform and in-person cohort experiences.

Program Expectations:
Participants are expected to attend all program sessions as outlined below and to complete required cohort reflections and leadership development activities.

• August 27th: One day Kickoff Retreat (in person)
• October 7th: National College Fair (During AM/PM Session Break)
• November 7th:  Meeting and session with MACAC’s Fall Forum Event
• February/March (Optional):  Participation in Day on the Hill with MACAC membership
• February/April (Optional): Participate in MACAC Quarterly Board Meeting
• May: Final session during Spring MIDWest Conference, wrap up and recognition
• Ongoing: Connect with Faculty mentor and a MACAC Committee (for more information about Committees, go to https://mn-acac.org/committees).

Developing Leaders will be recognized at a cohort completion celebration and at the spring MIDWest conference.

Program Costs:
All direct program costs including travel and shared text, excluding incidentals, will be covered by MACAC.

Application requirements:
Complete the Online Application, which includes a supervisor support acknowledgement, by no later than August 6th, 2025. Participants will be selected by MACAC LDP program organizers.  Decisions will be e-mailed by August 13th, 2025.

Leadership Development Program Contact Information:
Questions? Contact faculty co-chairs at ldp@mn-acac.org
        Aaron Salasek, Co-Chair, Office of Higher Education
        Bryan Gates, Co-Chair, University of Saint Thomas