This course is intended for the senior leaders in Pennsylvania state government, including agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction as well as independent executive agencies.  Ideally, applicants should be direct reports to the agency/organization head, dual reports to the agency and the Governor’s Office or those aspiring agency to those positions.

The program curriculum is based around case studies, team projects, role playing and scenario planning. Classes offer a “safe space” for senior leaders to discuss issues they may face in their positions while promoting inter-organizational collaboration.

To prepare for the Leadership Development Program, each participant will:

• Take a Personality Inventory
• Take a Leadership Skills Assessment
• Provide a short Personal Biography
• Identify one cross-organizational issue with which they have been involved.

Program participants are divided in teams. Each team is assigned a mentor/coach. The mentor/coach meets (in-person and/or virtually) with the team at least once collectively and at least once with each program participant individually.  Coaching session dates, times, and locations will be determined between the assigned mentees and coach.

Attendance at a minimum of 90% of the sessions is required in order to receive a certificate of completion of the program.

Awarding of a certificate of completion will be based on a pass-fail assessment of the program’s curriculum, attendance, and class requirements.

The following materials are included in the cost of the course:

• PDF versions of slides presented (when available)
• Speaker bios (when available)
• Access to the session recording links

2023-2024 Program Tuition Fee* per person:

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: $2,500

*Tuition fee is not required at time of application; applicants that are accepted into the program will be provided with an invoice shortly after notification of acceptance.

Application Deadline: Friday, September 29, 2023

Candidate Application

Candidates will complete an application form to present their learning goals, past experiences, expertise, and knowledge they will bring to the cohort for consideration.  [CLICK ON “APPLY NOW” AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE]

Required: Letter of Support/Recommendation
A letter of support/recommendation is also required from the candidate’s agency/organization head or senior leader.

Candidates should provide the following information to their agency/organization head or senior leader for letter submission:

The letter should include current position and responsibilities of the applicant, along with skills, knowledge, and any special projects for which the applicant is responsible.

The letter should be addressed to “LDP Directors” and emailed to ProfessionalEd@HarrisburgU.edu with the subject line as, “LDP Nomination Letter for [YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME]”

Note: Your application will not be considered complete until your letter of support/recommendation has been received. 

Acceptance Notification

Applicants will be notified whether they have or have not been accepted into the program. At that time, accepted applicants will receive full course details and information on Orientation.

See the specific deadlines under “Next Cohort” at the bottom of the page.

LDP Summer 2023 Cohort Graduation Recording