APIDA Student Leadership Institute

The APIDA Student Leadership Institute is a structured leadership development experience designed to support entire APIDA student organization executive boards, not just individual officers.

What Is the APIDA Student Leadership Institute?

The APIDA Student Leadership Institute is a structured leadership development experience designed to support entire APIDA student organization executive boards, not just individual officers.

The Institute brings together student leaders from across the Midwest to build the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to lead sustainable, inclusive, and impactful organizations. Through a series of workshops, community dialogue, and applied learning, participants engage in leadership development that reflects the collective nature of student organization leadership.

This program represents an evolution of MAASU’s leadership councils—expanding beyond role-specific tracks to provide a holistic executive board experience.

Why the Leadership Institute Exists

Historically, leadership development spaces often focused on individual roles (such as president or treasurer), which can unintentionally silo knowledge and place responsibility on a single leader.

The APIDA Student Leadership Institute was created to:

  • Support shared leadership across executive boards

  • Strengthen organizational sustainability and continuity

  • Reduce burnout by distributing leadership knowledge and responsibility

  • Ensure all officers understand how their roles work together

  • Create common language and expectations across leadership teams

By engaging entire executive boards, the Institute helps organizations function more collaboratively and effectively.

APIDA Student Leadership Institute FAQ

  • The APIDA Student Leadership Institute is designed for:

    • Full executive boards of APIDA student organizations

    • Incoming and returning executive board members

    • Student leaders at any stage of organizational development

    • Member and non-member schools across the Midwest

    Organizations are encouraged to send multiple officers or their full board to maximize learning and impact.

  • The Institute focuses on leadership competencies that apply across roles, including:

    • Collaborative leadership and team dynamics

    • Organizational sustainability and leadership transitions

    • Communication, accountability, and decision-making

    • Programming, advocacy, and community engagement

    • Navigating campus systems and institutional support

    • Identity, values, and leadership within APIDA communities

    Workshops are interactive, discussion-based, and grounded in real student organization experiences.

  • The APIDA Student Leadership Institute may include:

    • Facilitated workshops led by MAASU leadership and alumni

    • Executive board–focused learning blocks

    • Small-group dialogue and peer learning

    • Reflection activities connecting leadership to identity and purpose

    • Resource sharing and applied planning for campus implementation

    Programming is intentionally designed to be accessible, student-centered, and adaptable to different campus contexts.

  • Previously, MAASU offered role-specific councils (e.g., Presidents Council, Vice Presidents Council). These have now been integrated into the APIDA Student Leadership Institute to provide a more comprehensive experience.

    Instead of separating leaders by title, the Institute:

    • Brings executive boards together

    • Centers collaboration and shared responsibility

    • Reflects how student organizations operate in practice

    This shift ensures that leadership development is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.

  • The APIDA Student Leadership Institute complements MAASU’s broader leadership and community-building efforts, including:

    • MAASUx regional programs

    • The MAASU Leadership Summit

    • The MAASU Spring Conference

    • Membership School resources and engagement

    Together, these programs support APIDA students throughout their leadership journeys—from emerging leaders to alumni.We offer flexible pricing based on project type and complexity. After an initial conversation, we’ll provide a transparent quote with no hidden costs.

  • Participate in the Leadership Institute

    Details about application, participation, and upcoming sessions are shared annually through MAASU communications and social media. Applications for the Leadership Institute take place during registration for the Leadership Summit and Spring Conference.