Leadership Carroll

Leadership Carroll is co-sponsored by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce and Carroll Community College. Since its debut in 1990, Leadership Carroll has been the premier leadership development program in Carroll County. Its purpose is to provide existing and emerging leaders with a combination of leadership training and detailed knowledge of the community, including a description of the problems, opportunities and issues facing our community. Employers from every size business, along with nonprofit and government organizations, enroll their managers and key professional staff in the program and provide them direct contact with the leaders and the institutions central to the process of change in Carroll County. Leadership Carroll is your best opportunity to enhance your own or your employees’ knowledge of who to call on and how to get things done in Carroll County.

What does the program offer?

Leadership Carroll provides an unparalleled learning experience including:

• Carroll County yesterday — its rich history and its agricultural heritage and traditions
• Carroll County today — the relationships and interactions among its major components
• Carroll County tomorrow — where our community is headed with regard to economic development and residential quality of life
• Leadership training

Leadership Carroll offers relationship-building opportunities with:

• classmates
• alumni
• facilitators and presenters
• site visit hosts
• government officials and other key decision makers

How does the program work?

Leadership Carroll builds civic awareness and leadership skills through:

• leadership style and skills assessments
• classwork in leadership theory and techniques
• presentations by community and business leaders
• exposure to the leadership challenges and opportunities in our community

The Leadership Carroll program is planned and developed by staff representatives of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce and Carroll Community College and a team of Leadership alumni. Participants gather for an overnight retreat in September and for one full-day session each month, October through June. Monthly sessions offer site visits, guest lecturers, expert presentations, hands-on demonstrations and networking focusing on one or more aspects of life in Carroll County, such as:

• state and local government
• agriculture
• public and private education
• business and economic development
• justice and the law
• media & nonprofits

Who is eligible?

Anyone who lives, works, or markets in Carroll County may apply. Consideration is given to creating a cross-section of the community to include people with various careers and educational, social and cultural backgrounds. Care is also taken to allow representation from various geographic locations in the area. Class size is limited to encourage personal interaction among participants and presenters. Applicants should occupy or aspire to leadership positions in their careers and/or their communities.

Attendance and Participation

Leadership Carroll requires a serious commitment to the program. Participants are expected to attend all sessions from beginning to end unless there is an emergency. Attendance at the first and last session is mandatory. Program Dates for the Class of 2025 and Class of 2026 are listed below.