The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) identifies, cultivates and mentors young leaders in three areas of leadership: the firm, the profession and our community. Going into its 12th year, the Emerging Leaders Program boasts more than 250 graduates and draws rave reviews through its curriculum that combines leadership discussions, class-developed panels, and class projects benefiting the greater community. Past community projects undertaken by the Emerging Leaders include the design of a playground for CityWalk@Akard, the design of the Promise House Street Outreach shelter, the site plan of Bonton Farms and design of its Community Center, a children’s playground at Fair Park, a columbarium at CitySquare, and a facilities and site plan for Dallas Pets Alive. The reformatted program began in 2023 with Suzanne Smith, MBA, facilitating the discussions. Through engagement in the program, participants will develop a personal leadership development plan to directly address individual needs and substantially impact their organization.
Applications for the 2027 Emerging Leaders Program are open!
The following are imperative for an applicant’s acceptance:
- The online application form must be completed in its entirety. All information is mandatory.
- At least one, but no more than three references must be provided using this online reference form.
- The application and reference forms must be completed by Friday, October 30, 2026.
When the application period closes, the selection committee will promptly begin the review and selection process. Late submissions will not be considered. All applicants will be notified of the decision by December 1, 2026. Upon notification, invoices for program fees will be sent to all selected applicants and the corresponding sponsoring firms upon notification.
Admission to the program is based on the applicant meeting all criteria. Preference will be given to current AIA Dallas members, but AIA membership is not required. We strongly urge that applicants hold meeting dates for 2027 and do not apply if more than one date conflicts with their professional and personal schedule.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for this program, an applicant must be:
- employed full-time by an architectural firm in the immediate chapter area,
- on the path to architectural licensure or have recently become licensed,
- have at least 5 years of experience in the architecture or design fields,
- able to commit the time and effort necessary to fully participate in this program—homework, project, and networking assignments require several hours each month in addition to monthly, in-person classroom instruction,
- able to participate in at least one AIA Dallas chapter network and/or committee, an estimated one-hour additional time commitment each month.
PROGRAM DATES
- Orientation: February 4, 2027, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Session 1: February 19, 2027, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM*
- Session 2: March 19, 2027, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM*
- Session 3: April 16, 2027, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM*
- Session 4: May 14, 2027, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM*
- Session 5: June 11, 2027, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM*
- Session 6: July 09, 2027, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM*
- Session 7 & Graduation Event: August 13, 2027, 12:00 PM – 7:30 PM
*Following each session, participants are encouraged to join an informal networking happy hour with their cohort.
TUITION
For AIA Members, a tuition fee of $2,000 shall be paid on or before January 22, 2027. Tuition is nonrefundable on the date of the program orientation, February 4, 2027. Late payment of the tuition forfeits your candidacy which will be offered to the first qualified alternate. The employer/sponsor pays $1,700 of the fee, with the remaining $300 to be paid by the participant as a personal commitment to the program.
Tuition for a non-AIA member is $2,500. The employer/sponsor will be responsible for $2,000, with the remaining $500 to be paid by the participant as a personal commitment to the program.
Scholarship Consideration: A limited number of scholarships may be available for applicants for whom program tuition would present a barrier to participation. Individuals interested in being considered are invited to contact Conleigh Bauer at cbauer@aiadallas.org confidentially for additional information. Scholarship availability is dependent on funding and is not guaranteed.
PROJECTS
Each year, the ELP class is asked to contribute to community-driven design-based projects that provide meaningful opportunities for participants to develop leadership skills through real-world, team-based projects that address civic or community needs.
Do you have a class project to recommend? If so, please complete this form.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
Assuming 100% attendance, participants who are AIA members will receive approximately 18 learning units upon completion of the program.