2025
Forward Leadership Program
Thank you for your interest in API Forward Foundation’s Forward Leadership Program for college students. The program aims to inspire, motivate and empower undergraduate college students to develop their leadership potential.
Through three and a half months of mentorship, collaboration and leadership training, we hope to instill confidence, integrity, knowledge, experience, connection and a greater understanding of the importance of equity practice. Our program seeks to inspire participants to lead change for Asians, Pacific Islanders and others.
Please submit your application by November 22, 2024, 11:59 p.m. PST.
To be an FLP mentor, please learn more and apply here →
To be an FLP sponsor, please contact us at communications@apiforward.org.
Thank you for your interest in API Forward Foundation’s Forward Leadership Program for college students. The program aims to inspire, motivate and empower undergraduate college students to develop their leadership potential.
Through three and a half months of mentorship, collaboration and leadership training, we hope to instill confidence, integrity, knowledge, experience, connection and a greater understanding of the importance of equity practice. Our program seeks to inspire participants to lead change for Asians, Pacific Islanders and others.
Applications for the Forward Leadership Program 2025 are now closed. Applications for 2026 are coming soon. Sign up for our email notifications to get updates!
Program Overview
This program contains five components:
1. Leadership training
2. Pairing with mentors
3. Research and field work
4. Project presentation
5. “Pay it forward” volunteer work with a nonprofit organization
Participants of the API Forward Foundation’s Forward Leadership Program must participate in all five components.
Learning Outcomes
- Conflict resolution skills
- Negotiation skills
- Leading across cultures
- Planning and delivering effective presentations
- Identifying and mitigating unconscious bias
- Fostering an inclusive climate at work or school
- Becoming a strong and compassionate leader
- Interpersonal communication skills
- Time management skills
Expectations
- Attend the half-day orientation or monthly leadership training (depending on status of the pandemic)
- Agree to participate in a mentorship program
- Dedicate time to research, planning and implementing the assigned project
- Be available for the final presentation in late April
- Attend the API Forward fundraising event in May
- Commit to a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer work at a local nonprofit organization
Ideal Candidate
- Self identifies as an API community member
- Willing and open to learn about diversity, inclusion and equity in API community
- Strong desire to become a leader in the API community
- Currently enrolled at least part-time (with six credits or more) in a higher education institution in Oregon or southwest Washington
- Be at least 18 years old by December 31, 2024
Benefits of this program
- Opportunity to engage in diversity, inclusion and equity work in the Oregon and southwest Washington.
- Opportunity to participate in hands-on leadership training.
- Opportunity to build relationship with local government, private industries, and/or communities that are not offered in regular classes.
- Receive a scholarship award ($1,500-$2,500 per participant) upon completing the program.
Timeline
- November 22, 2024 – Application Due
- December 12-18, 2024: Review Applications
- December 20, 2024: Invite Top Candidates for Interviews
- January 2, 3, or week of 5th, 2025: Interviews
- January 10, 2025: Final Applicants Notified
- January 2025: Virtual FLP Training / FLP Project Kick-Off
- January – April 2025 – Leadership Program
- Late April 2025 – Final Presentation
- May Gala (Date TBD), 2025 – Award Ceremony
*Disclosure: Applicants must disclose any personal relationships with an active board member.
Please submit your application by November 22, 2024, 11:59 p.m. PST.
Applications for the 2025 Forward Leadership Program are now closed.