Knights LEAD

Knights LEAD is a co-curricular leadership program designed specifically to connect first-year students to MGA and to enhance their career and leadership preparedness through interactive programs, community service, and mentoring. 

At MGA, we believe that all students have the capacity to learn leadership skills and apply these skills in every situation they encounter.  Leadership isn't just for those elected to executive board positions or those who supervise others at work.  Leadership is for everyone and starts with the relationships you build with others (Kousez & Posner, 2013).

As a member of Knights LEAD, you will receive a faculty/staff mentor, service opportunities, leadership training, immediate access to career advising, guidance on accessing MGA resources, and the opportunity to make life-long friends.

Students who apply for Fall 2023 and plan to live on campus may also select to be a part of the Knights LEAD Living Learning Community (LLC) on the Macon or Cochran campuses where you would receive additional programming opportunities related to leadership. To participate in the Knights LEAD LLC, be sure to complete your housing application by July 22 and indicate your interest in Knights LEAD.  

How to Join Knights LEAD
Applications for Fall 2023/Spring 2024 cohorts (groups) for Knights LEAD Macon and Cochran are now open!  To apply, we do ask that you be admitted to MGA and be committed to attending in Fall 2022. Please click the link below to access the application.  Knights LEAD is a full-year program open to any first-year student at MGA.

KNIGHTS LEAD Fall 2023/spring 2024. 
PRiority deadline: July 22; Regular Deadline: august 11                                                          

Knights LEAD Kick-Off Meeting: Knights LEAD begins in the fall with Kick-Off Meetings in Macon and Cochran where you get to meet your peers, your faculty/staff mentor, and the leadership coordinator. You will also get your Knights LEAD t-shirt, and learn what it means to be an MGA Knight. The Fall 2023 Kick-Off Meetings will be scheduled in August.  If you applied, check your email in August for an invitation. 

Mentors: Students who attend the first Kick-Off Orientation Meeting will be assigned a faculty/staff mentor and an iLEAD Peer Educator mentor. Mentors are there to answer questions, provide advice about college, and be another connection at the university.  

Service Opportunities: Students in Knights LEAD participate in service projects in the fall and spring, including MGA Day of Service in September.   

Residential Learning Community: We have communities in Macon and Cochran so that residential students in Knights LEAD can live and learn with other leadership-minded students.  To participate, apply for housing by July 22, 2023 and indicate an interest in Knights LEAD then be sure to complete the Knights LEAD application.

Knights LEAD Meet-ups: Each semester, we host fun, interactive leadership meet-ups. These meet-ups focus on specific career and leadership competencies we know will be useful to you in your collegiate and personal life but also your professional life. Learning takes place through interactive leadership role playing games and case study sessions, and meetings with guest speakers from the middle Georgia community, MGA faculty, and MGA staff. Yes, we know graduation and your first job seems like years from now, but it's important to begin building those skills early. Plus, these skills will help you if you choose to pursue campus leadership roles. 

To prepare you for your future dream job and other opportunities to lead, we focus on the following career competencies in the program:

  • Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
  • Oral/Written Communications
  • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • Digital Technology
  • Leadership
  • Professionalism/Work Ethic
  • Career Management
  • Global/Intercultural Fluency

Students who complete Knights LEAD are recognized at our annual recognition event and receive priority consideration for Emerging Leaders.