The National Humanities Leadership Council offers professional development and mentorship for outstanding undergraduate students from NHC-sponsoring institutions of higher education in the United States, including Washington University in St. Louis. Student participants are empowered to take on leadership roles and supported as they develop strategies to address contemporary challenges on their home campuses and in their communities.

Council members will take part in a unique series of discussion sessions with thought leaders which explore the essential importance of humanistic perspectives in addressing the concerns of contemporary society. Students will have the opportunity to pursue specific individual or collective humanities projects and will network with professionals who represent a range of fields including academia, nonprofit work, the arts, science communication, museum studies and curation, and activism and advocacy. 

If you would like to learn more about what Council participation entails, WashU 2025 graduate Cecilia O'Gorman served on the Council during the 2024-2025 academic year and would be happy to field questions.

To apply for a place on the 2025-26 Leadership Council, fill out the online application by 11:59 PM ET on October 18, 2025. Successful applicants will be notified by email in November. Please email NHC Director of Public Engagement Jacqueline Kellish with any questions.

_{Header photo by Will van Wingerden on Unsplash.}