Everything You Need to Know About ILA (Cohorts 8 & 9, Fall 2025)

The application for the Fall 2025 cohort of the Indigenous Leadership Academy (ILA) will open on May 1, 2025, and will close on June 8, 2025. Follow along for upcoming blogs, posts, and a webinar with information about the ILA.

This Fall, we are excited to announce two distinct ILA programs dedicated to Indigenous education (IELA) and Indigenous health (IHLA). 

This blog is dedicated to answering questions you may have about applying to the ILA. If you are an Indigenous person who wants to contribute to your community, you should apply to this academy!

When does the application open?

The application will open on Thursday, May 1, 2025. There is one application for IHLA and IELA. Based on your preliminary answers, you will be directed to the specific application you are applying for.

When does the application close?

The application will close on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Please submit it as soon as possible.

Who Can Apply?

Anyone who lives in the United States and meets the eligibility criteria listed on the application is welcome to apply. Fifty percent of the allotted spaces will be awarded to Arizona residents.

Can I apply to both cohorts?

No, you must choose between education and healthcare. 

How much does it cost?

The cost for the 10-module program is $2650. Scholarships are available; applicants are automatically considered for a scholarship upon application to ILA. It is highly recommended that the cost not be a deterrent. 

What do I need to complete the application?

If you’re thinking about applying for the ILA, please note that we will require your recent work history. You will be creating a project that benefits your Indigenous community. Please have a project title and explain your project idea as well as you can. The project will lay the foundation for all the lessons during the 10-module course. We're looking to assess your strengths as a leader, so please reflect on any other leadership programs you may have been involved in. 

How are the cohorts chosen?

There are only 25 spots available for each cohort. An alumni review panel evaluates the applications with all personal information redacted. The ILA staff and facilitators also review the applications, taking into account the findings from the panel, as well as their own notes and comments, to select the participants. 

Why do I need to have a LinkedIn profile?

You gain a network of over 157 ILA alumni! A LinkedIn profile helps us to see who you are and the work you do in your community; it also creates a wonderful space for you to grow your network. It should be noted that signing up and using LinkedIn is free of charge. If you would like to use LinkedIn Premium, there is a fee. Don’t have a LinkedIn account? Sign up here.

How is the cohort run?

• The cohort will be taught on Zoom and in person (module ten only) with class materials and participation on Canvas.
• Module one is on a Saturday and is about six hours in length. For IHLA, the tentative start date is July 12, 2025. For IELA, the tentative start date is August 9, 2025. 
• Modules two through nine modules are held on weekday evenings for three hours. We utilize Canvas, and there is about 1.5 hours worth of reading each week. Tentatively, the IHLA will be held on Thursdays from 3 pm to 7 pm AZ time, and the IELA will be held on Wednesdays from 3 pm to 7 pm AZ time. 
• Module ten for IHLA will be held September 7-12, 2025, at the National Tribal Health Conference at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, AZ. Module ten for IELA will be held October 8-11, 2025, at the National Indian Education Association Conference in Spokane, WA. 
• During the modules, we have guest speakers and professionals on each module's topic. The guest speakers are invaluable in providing real-life context and depth to each module.
• To gain certification, you will plan a project that should benefit your community in some way and create a 5-minute video presentation on it. You will also present your project in person at the final module. 
• You will be responsible for your travel and room costs. More information will be released during the first weeks of the cohort.
• Cohort Partners for IHLA: ASU College of Health Solutions, National Indian Health Board, Tufts University
• Cohort Partners for IELA: ASU Center for Indian Education, ASU American Indian Studies, National Indian Education Association, Tufts University

What will I learn about?

You will learn about the following leadership practices within an Indigenous framework.

• Civic Engagement
• Responsibility
• Indigenous Knowledge
• Communicating
• Tribal Sovereignty
• Fostering Consensus 

How can I use the tools learned to use in my everyday life? 

The ILA course provides you with practical professional tips that you can incorporate into your daily life. The lessons from ILA can be sparingly used in your professional life and personally when making decisions or setting goals. It's crucial to understand that leaders in a community are not just elected officials. Leadership takes various forms and capacities in every group, and these roles are deeply intertwined with both community and professional relationships. The ILA course, designed for Indigenous communities, bridges the gap between these two perspectives, emphasizing their mutual importance.

What kind of people am I going to be meeting?

There are people from all walks of life in the cohort. They all share the common goal of wanting to create something meaningful for their community. I enjoy seeing how close they all become throughout the cohort and how much they continue to grow as leaders since completing the academy. 

What is the expected outcome of being a part of ILA?

Introducing a new community of individuals who share similar ambitions and goals for their community. These individuals offer opportunities or act as a valuable sounding board for your project, providing insightful feedback. Upon completion, you will be awarded a digital badge and certificate from Arizona State University.

Learn more about ILA