The Carlson Leadership Academy provides interactive leadership training to over 2,000 undergraduates and volunteers annually. Many undergraduates run for executive board positions because they have great goals and visions for their chapter. Attending an Academy ensures an officer will have the skills to manage a committee and follow through on those goals. This program also helps executive boards work together to ensure they all have goals consistent with a unified vision for the chapter.

The Academies are held in the spring, soon after most officer elections, and chapters are encouraged to bring all new officers, rising chapter leaders and engaged volunteers to the Academy closest to their university.  

Carlson is also a celebration of all that SigEp chapters have accomplished over the previous year. It provides a venue for the presentation of awards, recognizing chapters and individual undergraduates and volunteers for notable achievements in recruitment, development and scholarship. View information on Carlson awards here.

Who should attend, and what does programming include?

Undergraduates and volunteers:

Carlson provides education for each specific executive officer position, as well as strategic planning and goal-setting for effective chapter leadership. The programming emphasizes the use of each officer’s individual strengths to build a complete team. Participants spend time on chapter analysis, large and small group sessions, and informal interactions with other chapters. Participants will enhance their skill sets and leadership abilities to help them as chapter officers, in other leadership roles, in group projects and, eventually, in the workforce for the rest of their lives.

For undergraduates who have recently been elected to their chapter's executive board, officer training tracks are available for each of those positions: 

• President
• Vice president of member development
• Vice president of recruitment
• Vice president of programming
• Vice president of finance
• Vice president of communications
• Chaplain

In addition, three tracks are also available to undergraduates that do not currently hold an executive board position, that provide additional skills that will help them throughout their college career and beyond:

• Balanced Man Program (BMP) for BMP challenge coordinators and member development committee members
• Recruitment skills for BMS chairmen and recruitment committee members 
• Rising leaders for all other chairmen and up-and-coming leaders who want to further develop their skills before holding an executive board office

Designed for talented young brothers with the desire to step into chapter officer positions, SigEp’s Rising Leaders program at the Carlson Leadership Academy prepares members to take ownership of the future, for themselves and for their Fraternity. Thanks to the generosity of Kent B. Hickman, Colorado ’61, a select group of brothers receive complimentary registration and lodging as well as an elevated travel stipend. Hickman Scholar applications open in September, close in early November, and are announced later in November. 

Volunteers:

Any volunteer who has been serving from 1 week to two years in an undergraduate-facing role is encouraged to attend the Philip A. Cox Volunteer Institute that takes place at each Carlson Leadership Academy. The Cox Institute has programming that is specific for volunteers in mentor roles, including chapter counselors and balanced man stewards

There is also specific Carlson programming for our more veteran volunteers that includes relevant and dynamic education to guide volunteers to support their local chapters and AVCs. This programming is open to all alumni and volunteers who attend Carlson Leadership Academy. 

Each chapter is eligible for one free designated volunteer registration for either the Cox Institute or general volunteer programming. This registration has been pre-paid in the undergraduate chapter’s fall bill.