LARES Leaders Academy
Shaping the Future, One Latino Leader at a Time—Since 2013
The LARES Leaders Academy is a yearlong program designed to provide leadership training and opportunities to executive board members of UIC Latino student organizations and incoming freshmen who participated in the LARES Summer Institute. This program offers students an opportunity to enhance their leadership potential, participate in civic engagement initiatives, develop their professional skills, and network with fellow Latino leaders.
LLA Content
MISSION
To promote leadership development, encourage awareness of major Latino policy concerns, and educate students on the importance of becoming change agents for the Latino community.
COMMITMENT
- Remain committed to the program throughout the current academic semester.
- Attend all Saturday sessions (held once a month).
- Meet with a LARES Academic Advisor once per semester.
- Join a student organization or club (if you have not already).
- Consider running for an E-Board position.
ELIGIBILITY
Undergraduate and graduate Latino students must meet 5 out of the 6 following criteria:
- I am interested in learning about policy issues impacting the Latino community.
- I am open to embracing civic engagement activities in order to help foster change for the Latino community.
- I am committed to serving as a change agent for the Latino community.
- I am an Executive Board member of a UIC student organization and/or a member-at-large of a UIC student organization.
- I participated in the LARES Summer Institute.
- I am registered as a LARES student. (If you have not registered with the LARES program, you can sign-up by visiting the “LARES Sign-Up” link on our webpage.)
- I do not meet all the requirements, but I am committed to attending all sessions and immersing myself in the Academy.
MEETING DATES
The LARES Leaders Academy meets from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided free of charge.
Below are the mandatory meeting dates for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027:
- Saturday, September 12
- Saturday, October 10
- Saturday, November 14
- Saturday, December 5
- Saturday, January 16
- Saturday, February 13
- Saturday, March 13
- Saturday, April 24
© 2026 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. All rights reserved. Content on this site is developed by the Latin American Recruitment and Educational Service program and may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted without prior written permission.
Register Today!
The LARES Leaders Academy applications will remain open from July 31, 2026 to August 16, 2026.
LARES Leaders
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