About Leadership Skagit

Our Dynamic Curriculum: What you'll learn and achieve

Embark on a nine-month journey with Leadership Skagit, designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and connections to become an even more impactful leader in our community. The curriculum is routinely evaluated and updated to keep the content relevant to the times and community needs.

Throughout the program, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of Skagit County's key strengths and pressing needs, and how these vital elements are interconnected. We'll provide you with practical strategies and tools to hone your leadership effectiveness. Furthermore, you'll delve into the crucial principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI), building the skills necessary to address systemic inequities and foster a more equitable Skagit. All the while, you'll be actively expanding your invaluable professional and personal networks through more than 600 Leadership Skagit alumni as well as community members from around the county.

Since 2004, Leadership Skagit has been bringing leadership development in Skagit County. A collaborative effort between EDASC and Skagit Valley College, the program has graduated more than 600 individuals. Our alumni include elected officials, business owners, executives, and dedicated community members – all committed to making a real difference right here in Skagit County.

Building skills for a better future

Participants in Leadership Skagit will acquire essential skills to tackle pressing community issues. Our program emphasizes:

  • Reflective leadership practice
  • Active listening
  • Design thinking
  • Collaborative problem-solving
  • Effective communication
  • Hands-on project management

Driving community impact

Leadership Skagit creates a tangible impact in our community by fostering:

  • Improved community leadership that is informed, engaged, and skillful.
  • Greater respect and understanding of all populations within Skagit County.
  • Enhanced community dialogue with meaningful inclusion of diverse voices.

The Leadership Skagit curriculum extends beyond foundational learning. You'll participate in insightful leadership and communications skills assessments to pinpoint areas of growth. A cornerstone of the program is the team project, where you and your peers will collaborate to address a real and pressing need within the community. This hands-on experience provides invaluable practical application of your developing leadership skills. 

And you’ll gain academic recognition: Graduates of the Leadership Skagit program can choose to receive 17 academic credits in leadership from Skagit Valley College.

For Employers: Why sponsor an employee to attend Leadership Skagit

Employers can realize the benefits of investing in their employees as they develop important workplace skills. Participants:

  • gain transferrable skills, such as improved communication, listening and team building, that they can take back to work and start applying immediately;
  • develop and hone their project management skills over the course of nine months working on a team project that benefits the community;
  • sharpen their critical thinking skills to become a better organizational decision maker.

In addition, your employees will make valuable connections to people and organizations throughout Skagit County while gaining an understanding of how to work in and among industry sectors.

Program Investment: Tuition & Time Commitment

Tuition

Investing in your leadership journey with Leadership Skagit is a significant step, and we want to ensure you have all the information about program costs and time commitments.

For the Leadership Skagit Class of 2026, tuition is structured as follows:
•    $3,250 for participants from for-profit companies.
•    $2,650 for participants from small non-profit organizations, individuals, and companies with 10 or fewer employees.

Often, employers pay the tuition of the student they nominate for the program. It is encouraged that participants pay a portion of their tuition, as decided between them and their employer. Independent business owners and community members need to fund their own tuition, but are also encouraged to seek support through civic, business or community groups they are affiliated with.

An individual's financial situation should never be a barrier to participation. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, scholarship funds are available, and we also offer flexible payment plans.

What is the time commitment?

The Leadership Skagit program runs from September to June. The nine-month program includes:

  • Two mandatory two-day retreats: one in September and one in May.
  • Eight day-long "Challenge Days," held monthly.
  • Each program day runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Beyond the core sessions, you'll have about four hours of monthly pre-work, including individual or small group activities. You'll also need to set aside time for team meetings to plan and execute your leadership development project. The time required for teamwork can vary significantly but often involves a substantial commitment.

Gaining your employer's support for this time commitment is crucial, as you're expected to attend all program and team sessions. In total, anticipate dedicating approximately 150 hours to the program.

You are permitted up to eight hours of excused absence over the course of the program. Missing more than eight hours will require a check-in with the EDASC program manager and may impact your eligibility for graduation or college credit.