Student Leadership Academy

Discover your leadership potential

This entry-level tier is designed for students who are new to leadership and want to build confidence, self-awareness, and essential communication skills. Through interactive workshops, peer connections, and guided reflection, participants explore their values, strengths, and the kind of leader they want to become. 

Foundations of Leadership is open to all students and is a great first step into campus involvement.

Put your leadership into action

This intermediate tier is for students ready to apply their leadership learning in real-world settings. Participants develop collaborative problem-solving skills, deepen their understanding of equity and social responsibility, and work with others to create positive change. Whether through campus initiatives, student organizations, or community partnerships, this tier focuses on leading with impact and integrity.

Applications to Leadership in Practice open in March for the following academic year.

From vision to impact

High-Performance Leadership is the advanced tier of the Student Leadership Academy, designed for exceptional student leaders who are ready to drive systemic change on campus and beyond. This year-long, cohort-based program combines advanced leadership training with mentorship from senior university and community leaders. Participants engage in intensive workshops grounded in the UN’s Inner Development Goals, strategic problem-solving, and reflective leadership practices.

A defining element of this tier is the Capstone Project, where students design and lead a high-impact initiative that addresses a real-world challenge. Through this experience, participants apply their skills in a practical, meaningful way while receiving guidance and feedback from experts in their fields.

Scholarship opportunity

Students selected for High-Performance Leadership are awarded the Dalhousie–McCall MacBain Leadership Academy Scholarship, which includes a tuition award for the academic year, funding to support their Capstone project, and a summer stipend to further their leadership initiatives.

Graduates of this program emerge as skilled, thoughtful, and resilient changemakers—equipped to lead with clarity, integrity, and a global perspective.

Each year, 40 incoming Dalhousie students are awarded a $3,500 Leadership Academy Entrance Scholarship in recognition of their leadership experience and potential.

• 30 scholarships are awarded based on leadership experience and academic merit.

• 10 scholarships, generously supported by the McCall MacBain Foundation, focus solely on leadership experience, acknowledging that leadership potential often shows up outside the classroom.

Recipients of the entrance scholarships are also guaranteed a spot in both the Living Learning Community in Leadership residence option and the Enhanced Foundations of Leadership program.

Apply through Dalhousie’s general entrance scholarship application portal.

Offered to students accepted into the High-Performance Leadership program, this prestigious scholarship supports up to 25 students each year with a comprehensive funding package valued at up to $17,500 per student (varies by program).

What’s included:

• Full tuition and mandatory fees (up to $12,500, depending on program)

• $4,000 summer leadership stipend to support immersive, project-based work 

• Funding for a capstone project

• All program-related costs covered, including leadership retreats, assessments, and enrichment opportunities

This scholarship is designed to give students the freedom to fully engage in their leadership journey—without the financial barriers.