Brown County LEAP — which stands for leadership, education, adventure and participation — is back with a new cohort for 2024 and 2025.

“Leadership Brown County relies heavily on collaboration and problem solving,” Leadership President Andrea Swift-Hanlon said. “Classes will include learning about Brown County and the services, organizations, and businesses that create our community. Leadership skills through team building, engagement, activities, practice and implementation will also be included throughout the program.”

Brown County Leadership’s partnerships include Brown County schools, Brown County Sheriff’s Department, Hamblen Township Volunteer Fire Department, Habitat for Humanity, Brown County Playhouse, CYO Camp Rancho Framasa, the Career Resource Center and more.

“Through education and service, we can empower others to become leaders in our community,” the Brown County Leadership mission statement says.

The program introduces members of the cohort to organizations and businesses in Brown County that they could potentially be a part of in the future.

“Whether one is joining the cohort as a new or seasoned professional, our goal is to create a space that empowers people to collaborate, share, educate and learn about the community, and use their talents and knowledge to make Brown County a better place to live, work, and grow,” said Swift-Hanlon.

The cohort is capped at 15 members to ensure the group is small and the members can forge strong relationships, Swift-Hanlon said on behalf of the Leadership Board of Directors.

“The Board of Directors are always striving to improve the program and ensure we are providing the best well-rounded education and information to the cohort,” said Swift-Hanlon. “We take our past cohort’s feedback along with our own feedback and analyze last year’s program and make appropriate changes. I think the biggest change from last year is you will see that each board member will be offering a piece of education and expertise from their own professional lives to the curriculum.”

All applicants must be over the age of 18 and either reside or work in Brown County.

They must also attend all classes that do not jeopardize employment, and absences must be communicated prior to the class day or they risk not graduating the program.

Class dates include Oct. 22, Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 18, April 15 and May 6 with graduation and project presentations on May 20.

Applications are due at noon on Sept. 18 and can be filled out online at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-f0hiXOkxMWXDa1G5tvLDAMnac3FpTw4wU896QumKjrR7-w/viewform

Paper versions can be picked up at the Career Resource Center (260 School House Lane).

People are encouraged to send any questions to the LEAP email at [email protected].