LEAD Community Requirements and Events Form

Hello and welcome to the LEAD Scholar community for the 2024-25 academic year. Read the program requirements below carefully, sign, and return by September 8, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. as part of your continuation/acceptance into the program. 
The LEAD Scholars program is designed to provide Scholars with a community of professional and personal support throughout their time at U-M and beyond. LEAD Scholars are represented on all three U-M campuses — Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint — with Ann Arbor enrolling the majority of Scholars. For 2024-25, there are 313 LEAD Scholars in the community. Scholars will have access to and opportunities to attend events and programs that build skills, provide networking experiences, and offer social connections. 

The LEAD Scholarship Details:
  • Covers eight semesters — fall and winter continuous semesters for undergraduate degree
    • Does not cover graduate or professional degree programs even if the Scholar graduated early from undergraduate or had undergraduate funding still available
  • Scholars must be full-time enrolled status for both fall and winter semesters 
  • Scholars must maintain a 2.0 GPA and be making satisfactory academic progress toward their degree, as defined by their unit or department or the Office of Financial Aid (on their respective campus)
  • Scholarship Hold: If a Scholar decides not to enroll for an upcoming fall or winter semester, notification must be made to the LEAD team before the end of the semester. Scholars can ask for a hold on their scholarship, one semester at a time, for up to two semesters, after which the scholarship is forfeited/withdrawn, regardless of their enrollment status. Approved holds may include but are not limited to:
  • mental or health related break (appropriate documentation required)
  • career exploration/experiential opportunity/internship/co-op
  • casting call, audition, or acting/singing tour 
  • Deferred Status: If a Scholar decides to defer their enrollment of their first year at U-M, they will have to re-apply for the LEAD Scholars program the following year. Note: the student can notify the LEAD program directly that they are re-applying and the LEAD program will take that into consideration when reviewing their application again. 
  • Academic Performance: If a Scholar is placed on “suspension,” “enrollment withheld,” “mandatory leave,” or any such designation that requires the Scholar to petition to return to U-M or apply for reinstatement to U-M, the LEAD scholarship will be withheld until the student is back in good standing or for two (2) semesters, whichever comes first before it is forfeited/withdrawn. The scholarship will be forfeited/withdrawn if the Scholar is dismissed from the university at any time. 

Overall Scholar Responsibilities:
  • Submit the bi-annual LEAD Scholar Update Form prior to the beginning of the fall and winter semesters — Scholarship funds will not be transferred if the form is not completed on time.
  • Stay up-to-date on email inbox and the LEAD Slack channels to review and respond appropriately and timely to communications from LEAD team members.
  • Take the initiative and personal responsibility to build your experience with the LEAD program.
  • Attend all required signature events (see LEAD calendar).
  • RSVP for events and attend as planned — to be excused from required/mandatory events, all cancellations must have prior approval from a member of the LEAD program team.

Scholar Event Participation and Expectations

LEAD offers so much more than just financial assistance. Through programming and events, the LEAD community provides LEAD Scholars an automatic place of belonging on campus, uniting fellow University of Michigan students dedicated to leadership, excellence, achievement, and diversity as they navigate their higher education journeys. Surrounded by like-minded peers and connected to a network of resources, LEAD Scholars have perpetual support throughout their time at U-M.
  • Show up and participate. Your presence and unique experiences contribute to our community and collective learning.
  • Always communicate if you will attend or be unable to attend an event or program. If you must cancel your plans to attend, consider the costs (see below) and do it early enough to give us time to adjust our plans. 48 hours notice is required.
    • Send email to: aaumleadscholar@umich.edu
  • Excused absences may include but are not limited to:
    • Sick/Medical Emergency: please submit a doctor’s note, ER intake form, positive covid test, appropriate documentation, etc.
    • Scheduled class or class test/exam
    • Work/employment that was scheduled more than two weeks in advance of event
  • If you plan to arrive late or leave early, communicate that in writing to the LEAD program team, prior to the event. If you have to arrive late and leave early, think through if you will truly be present and if this disruption will detract value from the other participant's experience.
    • If you leave early without advance notice, we will mark you as absent
  • If you find yourself unable to make several commitments to this program, we ask that you contact the LEAD program team so we are aware and can further assist you. 
  • The LEAD program team tracks all attendance, and if you are not meeting the requirements, the following actions will occur:
    • 1st instance: Check-in and meeting with the LEAD team
    • 2nd instance: Formal documentation and plan for improvement, which may include an apology to program/presenters/speakers at missed event 
    • 3rd instance: Termination of scholarship 

Before You Cancel, Consider the Costs

  1. A smaller attendee list means a narrower group of ideas, conversations, and experiences to draw from. Ultimately, this reduces student engagement and participation in breakout groups and discussions.
  2. If you cancel less than 12 hours before an event or coaching session, a speaker/coach often must reduce or alter their planned activities. 
  3. Late cancellation can result in wasted food or resources.
  4. Low student turnout reflects poorly on the LEAD Scholar program and impacts a speaker's willingness to return.
  5. Arriving late AND leaving early sends a powerful message to your fellow scholars and the presenter about the value you place on the experience. Intention does not equal impact.
  6. Failure to communicate your absence in a timely manner creates worry and concern on your behalf. Again, you are a unique and valued member of our community. Your absence does not go unnoticed, and we will always follow up.
  7. Life happens, and we understand not all absences can be planned in advance, but you have a responsibility to communicate this as soon as you can.

Required Dates

  • LEAD Scholar Welcome Summit (all Scholars): September 8, 2024
  • LEAD Symposium (all scholars): February 15th, 2025
  • House of LEAD (all scholars): April 4, 2025
Attendance at monthly meetings is mandatory
  • Monthly Meeting #1: October
  • Monthly Meeting #2: November
  • Monthly Meeting #3: December
  • Monthly Meeting #4: February
  • Monthly Meeting #5: March

Achknowledgement of LEAD Community Requirements and Events

Signature Notice