HOPE College Leadership Program
HOPE College Leadership Program
The HOPE College Leadership Program (HCLP) is a nationwide hybrid leadership development program that fosters a network of support for first-generation college-age students, ensuring they have the resources necessary to complete college, enter the workforce, and contribute to their communities. The program has trained over 700 student college students and young professionals.
HCLP graduates have a college completion rate of 63% within five years, compared to the national average of 58% within six years.
Applications for the 2025 HOPE College Leadership Program are now closed. Stay tuned as our next application cycle opens in January 2026!
Objectives
- Create a supportive space where students can access resources to complete their degrees successfully.
- Develop core professional and leadership skills including time management, communication, consensus-building, financial management, and problem-solving.
- Build civic awareness and participation through engagement opportunities.
- Support career development and workforce readiness, including STEM and policy-related career pathways, and help participants create career roadmaps.
Program Components
Online Training Sessions: HOPE carefully designed online training sessions that build the soft skills most desired by today’s workforce, including time management, problem-solving, effective communications, teamwork, leadership, among others.
Experiential learning: Participants complete group projects focused on enhancing the civic participation of college students while building their critical thinking skills.
Participant Profile
- Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student, or a recent graduate (within 1 year).
- The curriculum emphasizes education and leadership development through a Latina leadership lens, creating a culturally grounded experience that benefits all participants.
- Students from underserved low-income or first-generation college-going backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.
Competencies
After completion of the program participants are expected to have developed the following competencies:
- Skills: Time management; prioritization; effective communication; creating presentations.
- Leadership: Leadership styles; leadership traits; professional networking; team collaboration.
- Civic Knowledge & Engagement: Civic participation; understanding political processes at the local, state, and national levels.
- Advocacy: Policy analysis; message development; coalition engagement.
- Career & Personal Development: Career exploration and management; developing career roadmaps (including STEM fields); coping with imposter syndrome; strengths-based leadership
Ongoing Involvement Through the HOPE Regional Hubs
Upon graduation from the HOPE College Leadership Program, participants are welcomed into a HOPE Regional Hub. These hubs bring together local alumnae from across all of HOPE’s leadership programs, creating a space for continued learning, fellowship, and mobilization around the priorities of their region. Each hub strengthens local HOPE networks and supports efforts to increase inclusive representation in government, nonprofit leadership, and business, ensuring leaders are connected, informed, and equipped to drive change in their communities.
Stay Connected, Supported, and Part of the HOPE Community
Pop-Up Coach
A web-based program that brings first-generation student college students together with student professionals. This coaching program will provide students with the opportunity to learn about various careers, get advice and refine job search skills. The program intends to build the social capital of first-gen students while facilitating integration into the workforce.
Young Professionals Summit
Young Professionals Summit (YPS) gathers college students from across the country for an in-person professional development conference specifically designed for them.
Support the HCLP Today!
By engaging in opportunities such as the HCLP, students strengthen their leadership development and enter the workforce prepared to succeed.
HOPE College Leadership Program: Alexia Burquez
HCLP Sponsors
Program Sponsors
Contact
To learn more about the HOPE College Leadership Program, please contact Kimberly Salinas, Manager.