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Adult Program

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Program Overview

Leadership Geauga’s Signature Adult Program provides participants with access to community leaders, hot-topic discussions, behind-the-scenes site tours, and interactive panel interviews across all community sectors. This annual 10-month signature adult program emphasizes leadership development, and learning through experience and provides in-depth knowledge, tools, and the network to lead stronger organizations and better serve the community.

Application deadline: July 20, 2026

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The application for the Class of 2026-27 is now open!
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Become a Program Day Sponsor
Organizations and individuals are invited to be a program day sponsor for any of the themed program days.

how it works

Class members in the Signature Adult Program will attend orientation, overnight retreat, mid-year retreat, and graduation, where leadership training and discussions take place.
Additionally, the program includes eight days traveling throughout the county, experiencing Geauga’s major community economic influencers.
Participants examine the history of Geauga County, educational systems, human service offerings, health and safety systems, government interactions, business models, agriculture diversities and arts and leisure activities.
To support the leadership development of our participants, small groups plan each program day which allows for newly-formed collaborations and expanded learning beyond the sector of personal study.

PARTICIPANTS ENJOY...

  • 13 interactive sessions, spread over 10 months (including an overnight retreat and full-day graduation class day and ceremony)
  • Cultivating relationships with leaders across a wide range of sectors, industries, and backgrounds
  • Unparalleled networking with access to a network of over 1,300 alumni
  • Gaining unique and diverse perspectives on critical community and business issues
  • Behind the scenes tours of some of the County’s most unique and cutting-edge organizations
  • A graduation certificate awarded by Leadership Geauga County

2026-27 PROGRAM CALENDAR

Each class day runs from approximately 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and includes breakfast and lunch. Human Services, Business, and Arts & Leisure Day will offer a reception after 5:00 p.m. for the class only.

  • Orientation
Friday, September 11, 2026
  • Retreat
Thurs., Sept. 24 & Fri., Sept 25, 2026
  • History
Friday, October 16, 2026
  • Education
Friday, November 13, 2026
  • Human Services*
Friday, December 11, 2026
  • Health & Safety
Friday, January 8, 2027
  • Government
Friday, January 22, 2027
  • Mid-year Retreat
Friday, February 12, 2027
  • Emerald Ball**
Saturday, March 6, 2027
  • Business
Friday, March 19, 2027
  • Agriculture
Friday, April 16, 2027
  • Arts & Leisure
Friday, May 14, 2027
  • Graduation***
Friday, June 4, 2027

Also, there are six planning meetings in addition to the program days. These meetings are scheduled at a mutually agreeable time to plan your program day.

*Human Services Day will end with the annual Leadership Geauga Holiday Party. Class members attend for free (5:30 - 7:30 p.m.)
**The Emerald Ball is Leadership Geauga’s annual fundraising event. Class members are required to attend the evening event.
***Graduation consists of a daytime meeting, with a couple-hour break, then the class reconvenes for an evening dinner and ceremony.

CRITERIA

Class participants come from every sector and neighborhood our community and must either live or work in Geauga County. The Leadership Geauga Board of Trustees looks for the following criteria and then approves the slate of candidates:

  • Quality and completeness of application
  • Leadership quality and potential
  • Community involvement
  • Diversity in industry, race, and experiences
This process results in a membership class that is representative of a cross-section of the population.

TUITION & APPLICATION PROCESS

  • Applications are due by July 20.
  • A committee reviews all applications and selects the candidates for the class.
  • All applicants will be notified of their status by mid-August.
  • Tuition is $2,750 per class member.
  • Payments can be made in full, or a payment plan can be set.
  • LG has a limited number of partial scholarships to award to those candidates who have a demonstrated need.

A note on scholarships:
We encourage all applicants to seek tuition payment/reimbursement from their employers. In cases where the full cost of tuition is a burden for either the organization or the individual, a limited number of scholarships are available. To be considered for a scholarship, complete the scholarship request in as much detail as possible in the application.

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