LEADERSHIP
STARTS
HERE.
The APNC Emerging Leaders Institute is a 10-week leadership development experience for emerging prevention and public health professionals across North Carolina.
Build your leadership identity. Complete a real Applied Learning Project. Join a statewide cohort of emerging leaders. Fully funded.
Program Snapshot
Built for the next generation
of prevention leaders.
ELI is APNC's flagship leadership development initiative for graduate students and early-career professionals ready to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose in prevention and public health settings. This is not a workshop. This is a structured, supported, relationship-centered leadership experience.
Leadership Development
Strengthen your leadership identity, communication skills, systems thinking, and ability to lead from where you stand — now and in your next role.
Individualized Coaching
Receive structured coaching using the PRSA framework (Pause, Reflect, Strategize, Act) — connecting what you learn to your real work and career trajectory.
Applied Learning Project
Complete a real-world leadership project connected to a prevention or public health challenge in your community, organization, or field.
Peer Community
Build lasting relationships with a cohort of 16 emerging leaders from across North Carolina's prevention and public health workforce.
Systems Thinking
Develop the policy literacy and systems awareness that prevention leaders need to create meaningful, lasting change in communities.
Leadership Portfolio
Leave ELI with a completed Applied Learning Project, leadership reflection portfolio, and a professional credential you'll use throughout your career.
More than a training.
A complete leadership experience.
Fully Funded Participation
No cost to participants. APNC covers all program costs. Participation is fully supported for selected cohort members.
Stipend
Selected participants receive a stipend disbursed at three milestones — kickoff, midpoint, and program completion.
Travel & Lodging Covered
Travel and lodging for the required in-person Capstone Showcase and Graduation experience in North Carolina are fully covered by APNC.
Continuing Education Credits
CE credits applicable toward NCASPPB, ASWB, and other professional certifications — honoring your investment in this program.
1:1 Coaching + Group Sessions
Six individual coaching sessions plus two group coaching sessions using the PRSA coaching framework throughout the program.
Statewide Professional Network
Build peer relationships and professional connections with APNC leaders, facilitators, and prevention workforce partners across North Carolina.
Designed for where you are now —
and where you are going next.
ELI brings graduate students and early-career professionals into one learning community while recognizing that each group brings different experiences, questions, and leadership goals. Cohort 1 will include 16 participants total: 8 Graduate Student Track participants and 8 Early-Career Professional Track participants. Both tracks participate together and learn from each other.
Graduate Student Track
For students currently enrolled in public health, social work, counseling, psychology, prevention science, or related graduate programs preparing to enter North Carolina's prevention workforce.
- Connect academic learning to real prevention leadership contexts
- Build a policy-oriented Applied Learning Project for your portfolio
- Strengthen your professional presence and leadership voice
- Expand your statewide professional network before graduation
- Receive CE credits applicable toward future licensure pathways
Download the Word version of the Graduate Student Application to draft your answers offline, then complete the official form when you're ready.
Apply for Track 1
Early-Career Professional Track
For professionals with 1–5 years of experience in prevention, public health, community health, youth development, coalition work, or related roles who are ready to develop their leadership practice.
- Apply leadership tools directly to challenges in your current role
- Develop an action plan and communication product for real impact
- Receive individualized coaching grounded in your actual work context
- Grow alongside peers from organizations across North Carolina
- Earn CE credits toward professional certification renewal
Download the Word version of the Professional Application to draft your answers offline, then complete the official form when you're ready.
Apply for Track 2
Ten weeks of leadership,
strategy, coaching, and
applied learning.
The curriculum moves participants from leadership identity to systems analysis, policy understanding, strategy, messaging, and capstone presentation — grounded in prevention and public health practice at every step.
Community, expectations, Canvas setup, and program readiness. Meet your cohort and coaches.
Leadership as values-driven action. Where you are, where you're going.
Voice, influence, professional presence, and authentic leadership framing.
People-centered problem statements, root cause analysis, and systems thinking in the field.
Adaptive leadership, resilience under pressure, and leading through uncertainty.
Where policy fits in prevention, what policy change actually looks like, and systems change strategy.
Stakeholder analysis, implementation realities, and turning policy knowledge into advocacy action.
Collaboration, trust-building, negotiation frameworks, and community-centered leadership practice.
Communication strategies that move people and systems. Narrative development and audience framing.
Present your Applied Learning Project. Leadership portfolio completion. Cohort celebration.
Pause · Reflect · Strategize · Act — 6 individual sessions + 2 group sessions. Your coach connects each module to your actual work and leadership growth in real time.
Important dates for Cohort 1.
Applications Open
Recruitment now underway through APNC channels, Handshake, partner networks, and university outreach.
Applications Close
All applications and supporting materials must be submitted by midnight on June 20. 16 seats total.
Review + Interviews
Applications are reviewed. Selected finalists are invited to a brief 15–20 minute virtual interview. Notifications by June 24.
Notifications
Acceptance and waitlist emails sent. Onboarding sequence begins for selected participants.
Virtual Kickoff
Cohort 1 begins with a live virtual kickoff, cohort welcome, and leadership orientation.
Virtual Midpoint
Participants reconnect for the midpoint experience, Applied Learning Project progress check, and leadership reflection.
Capstone + Graduation
Participants gather in North Carolina for the in-person Capstone Showcase and Graduation experience. Travel covered.
Frequently asked questions.
Ready to lead?
Apply to ELI 2026.
Select the application track that best matches your current stage of leadership development. Complete both the application and the supporting materials submission to be considered. Applications close June 20, 2026 at midnight. Need to prep first? Download the Word version of your application below.
Graduate Student Application
For graduate students currently enrolled in MPH, MSW, counseling, psychology, prevention science, or related programs at any North Carolina institution or HBCU.
Early-Career Professional Application
For professionals with 1–5 years of experience in prevention, public health, community health, youth development, coalition work, or related roles in North Carolina.
PREVENTION
NEEDS LEADERS.
Applications for ELI Cohort 1 close June 20, 2026 at midnight. 16 seats total. Fully funded.
Funding Acknowledgment & Disclaimer
The project described was supported by Grant Number 00049660 from the North Carolina Department of Mental Health, Division of Health and Human Services, Substance Use Services Treatment, Recovery, Prevention Services. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of the North Carolina DHHS or any federal funding agency.
Funding for this meeting was made possible (in part) by DMH/DD/SUS. The views expressed in written meeting materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the North Carolina DHHS and the federal funding agency (if applicable), nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
