LEAD & SEI Alumni Program

Image

All SEI and LEAD alumni are invited to attend our Alumni Program! 

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Are you missing your LEAD and SEI community? Would you like to run some ideas or challenges by a cohort of your peers in a safe environment with guidance from an expert? We’ve got just the place for this!

We are excited to bring back the SEI Alumni Program this year and to extend an invitation to our LEAD Alumni too! Given how challenging the world can feel, now is the ideal moment to return and recharge in the supportive and inspiring LEAD/SEI environment.

Draft topics include: 

• Managing Change (including data best practices)
• Complexity: Creative Problem Solving
• Dealing with Difficult People: Working in Highly Charged Environments
• Resilience and Navigating Authenticity 

For each workshop, we ask that you bring your challenges as we work together with subject matter experts and peers to find solutions.

Key Details, Fees & Cancellation Policy 

December 10th - 12th, 2025

The Alumni Program will enroll 25-35 participants, and all classes take place at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business. The fee is $2,105.00 which includes instruction, lodging for 3 nights, most meals, and materials. Please see the registration page for more pricing options without lodging. A 10% discount is available for Virginia Institute of Government members. Please contact Shirley Hamblet at smh2dr@virginia.edu, with any questions.

Shortly after you get your welcome email, we will send you:

• Materials to help you plan your visit, including hotel and parking information; advice on getting to Charlottesville by plane, train, bus or car; and recommendations for places to visit while you are here.
• Program schedule that includes meeting times and places.
• Additional information about meals, required evening activities, and other details, like meeting etiquette, attire, as well as  recommendations for getting the most out of the experience.
• Pre-work to do in advance to better prepare for your experience. 

Cancellation Policy

From the time that your participation has been confirmed via email by us, if you cancel more than two weeks in advance of the program start date, you will forfeit half of the tuition cost. Transferring to an alternate date does not release you from this obligation. However, to avoid any penalties, acceptable substitutions may be made with our advance approval. No refunds can be made within two weeks of the start date. We greatly appreciate notification ASAP of any need to cancel.

PROGRAM CURRICULUM

Managing Change

Bring your change challenges and engage with instructors and peers to find solutions.

Complexity: Creative Problem Solving

Utilize best practices from instructors and peers, for tools and strategies, simplifying big problems into manageable components.

Collaboration

Share ideas, as well as management and facilitation techniques to get things done across departments and with outside partners.

Dealing with Difficult People:Working in Highly Charged Environments

Bring your biggest challenge for community drama, political hyperbole, internal staff conflict, managing up, and more to learn from peers and instructors to successfully deal with your most difficult people.

Resilience and Navigating Authenticity

Be ready for candid conversation about the struggles of local government leadership. Learn from each other and instructors about ways to be resilient, authentic, and to separate who you are from what you do.