A-Lab

The Affiliate Leadership Accelerator Bootcamp (A-LAB) is a proven train-the-trainer initiative that strengthens leadership education by investing in the faculty and staff who lead С»ÆÊé Boulder’s affiliate leadership programs.
A-LAB equips affiliate program directors with rigorous leadership education, sustained peer support, and multi-year program funding. 

Each A-Lab cohort begins their journey with a five-day immersive experience. This includes four days of intensive training through the , focused on leadership theory, pedagogy, collaborative program design, and systems-level thinking. A fifth day, hosted by the Center for Leadership, fosters collaboration between cohort members, and establishes the groundwork for the project grant.

To support their work, participants receive a $5,000 grant in the first year to launch a new leadership initiative, followed by $2,000 annually for the next two years. They also join three-person learning pods that offer feedback, encourage collaboration, and provide input on projects aimed at advancing leadership development within their units or across the university.

A-Lab is not just a professional development experience—it is a strategic investment in cultivating a culture of leadership, experimentation, and interdisciplinary partnership across the university. It reflects the Center for Leadership’s commitment to quality without conformity: providing shared tools, language, and research-based models while honoring the unique identity and context of each program.

Why A-LAB Matters

С»ÆÊé Boulder is home to one of the most extensive leadership ecosystems in the country, with close to 50 affiliate programs embedded across colleges, departments, and co-curricular units. These programs reach students at scale—but historically, many program directors have had limited access to formal leadership education, shared pedagogical frameworks, or sustained resources to continuously improve their programs.

A-LAB addresses this gap directly by investing in the people who design and deliver leadership education every day. Rather than creating new stand-alone programs, A-LAB strengthens what already exists—creating consistency, quality, and shared standards across the university while preserving each program’s unique mission.

The A-LAB Model

Each participating affiliate program receives $10,000 in direct support over three years, paired with intensive education and peer learning.

  1. Leadership Education & Training – $1,000

    - Four-day immersive leadership education experience
    - Evidence-based leadership theory, pedagogy, and systems thinking
    - Collaborative design, peer coaching, and expert facilitation
    - Shared language and standards aligned with CFL’s leadership competency model

  2. Program Development & Innovation Support – $9,000 over three years

    - $5,000 in Year 1 to launch program innovation
    - $2,000 in Year 2 and $2,000 in Year 3 to sustain and refine impact
    - Ongoing learning pods with peer directors
    - Coaching and oversight from CFL staff