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Independent Living News & Policy from the National Council on Independent Living

Are You A Student or Recent Graduate with a Disability? Become a USBLN Rising Leader by Joining the Rising Leaders Initiatives!

What is the Rising Leaders Initiatives? The Rising Leaders Initiative involves two programs: the Mentoring Program and the Leadership Academy.

  • The Mentoring Program is a six-month career mentoring opportunity to college students and recent graduates, including veterans, with disabilities.
  • The Leadership Academy is an intensive two-day networking and career development opportunity that takes place during the USBLN Annual Conference.

USBLN is currently accepting applications for both programs! If you are a college student or recent graduate with a disability that has questions about transitioning into the business sector, they highly encourage you to apply for either program!

On the application form, you can choose which (or both) programs you’re interested in. Application deadline is December 18th, 2017. 

An average of 85% of our mentees are employed since the inception of the 2013 program.

Mentoring Program

The Rising Leaders Mentoring Program (RLMP) is designed to support students and recent graduates as you navigate what it means to be successful and even unique questions that relate to being a person with a disability in the workforce.

The RLMP also gives students and recent graduates a network of business partners to connect with! The program will run from March – August of 2018.

USBLN especially encourages STEM majors, veterans, students of color, and LGBTQ+ students to apply.

More information can be found on the RLMP web page or by contacting the Director, Keri Gray ([email protected]).

The Rising Leaders Mentoring Program is supported through funding from Microsoft, Deloitte, Merck, and Northrop Grumman Corporation.

Leadership Academy

The Rising Leadership Academy takes place in conjunction with the USBLN Annual Conference, the nation’s premier business-to-business conference on disability inclusion throughout the enterprise.

During the Rising Leadership Academy, students will experience cutting-edge educational sessions and exciting interactive programming with high-profile speakers. Students will also participate in numerous networking opportunities, including exclusive facilitated networking sessions that connect Rising Leaders to representatives from USBLN member companies/businesses.

The upcoming 2018 Leadership Academy will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada and will run from July 7 – July 12.

USBLN especially encourages STEM majors, veterans, students of color, and LGBTQ+ students to apply.

More information can be found on the Rising Leadership Academy web page or by contacting the Director, Keri Gray ([email protected]).

The Rising Leadership Academy is supported through funding from Microsoft and Northrop Grumman Corporation.