COBALT

COBALT is a living learning community designed to help JMHC students transform themselves into confident, adaptable, challenge-ready leaders. Through innovative coursework, a peer-led residential community, and expert coaching, the program provides an immersive yet flexible experience that allows students to take charge of their own leadership journey and communicate their growth to future employers.

The COBALT co-curriculum is designed around seven leadership areas, which allows students to explore diverse styles and strategies for leadership while discovering their own leadership identity. By investigating these different leadership areas, COBALT students prepare themselves to thrive in various leadership contexts and overcome various challenges.

Importantly, COBALT students embark on their leadership journey with a team of peers and coaches. Transformational relationships drive our community and our growth toward excellence. Students do not simply benefit from the COBALT experience but become meaningful parts of it, helping to empower their peers and learning the art transformational leadership along the way.

Our application is now open and closes Monday, Sept. 22. Please review full guidelines in the PDF linked at the bottom of the page.

Community & Coaching

COBALT provides a supportive residential space for continuing JMHC students who are passionate about leadership. Here, students from different leadership backgrounds can connect, share new ideas, and create a community dedicated to transformation.

Core to the COBALT experience is the meaningful coaching students receive as soon as they are accepted. COBALT students:

• Gain insight into their own leadership and practical tips on how to turn insight into action
• Set personal growth plans with leadership educators
• Meet regularly in peer coaching pods to share perspectives, gain feedback, and build bonds
• Learn from the world-tested leadership of proven professionals.

COBALT is co-created by leadership educators and a board comprised of top student leaders in the JMHC. This student board helps shape the vision and values of the COBALT community and is responsible for organizing peer coaching pods, community building events, and other leadership learning opportunities. Joining the student board or one of its committees is a great way to put leadership learning into action and create a powerful legacy.

Curriculum & Badges

COBALT badges provide a flexible way for students to plan and celebrate their unique leadership development journey. By adding tangible micro-credentials to their resume and LinkedIn profile, COBALT students also ensure that future employers recognize their evolving skillset. Badges are completed through a combination of leadership coursework and extracurricular experiences.

64% of employers say a job candidate who has a micro-credential in a broad skill like leadership is stronger than one who does not (AAC&U).

Students begin with the Leadership Foundations badge, which enhances leadership identity, forges foundational skills, and introduces new perspectives. From there, students can earn specialization and mastery badges from across the seven leadership areas, paving a clear path to the kind of leader they want to be.

To learn more about this transformational leadership accelerator, review this guidelines document (PDF_9.08)