Unlock your leadership potential
iLEAD
iLEAD is leadership program that has inspired students to unlock their leadership potential since 2009.
iLEAD helps you become a well-rounded leader by developing key leadership skills and giving you opportunities to put them into practice. Through iLEAD, you will learn from inspiring leaders, connect with your peers, and build your network.
What is iLEAD? 1min 15secs
About the program
The iLEAD program helps you become a strong leader by teaching you leadership ideas and helping you develop your own unique strengths. Through the program you will also be given opportunities to use your leadership skills, and connect with experienced leaders and other students.
iLEAD can be completed in one academic year, and you can join at any time.
Over the year, at a minimum, you will engage with six events and/or activities requiring a total commitment of approximately 10 hours towards your leadership development.
The iLEAD Program Officer is available to support you throughout the program. You will receive newsletters every 2-3 months that provide an overview of key leadership concepts as well as information about other relevant events and activities both on and off-campus that may be of interest to you. By engaging with these optional additional events, you can further explore leadership concepts and demonstrate the skills that have been learnt within the iLEAD program.
Once you have been accepted to the program, you will gain access to your personalised iLEAD dashboard through the CareerHub platform. You will be able to track your progress in the program, view key dates, book into events, and complete any required activities.
iLEAD is open to all students from all disciplines and backgrounds.
Upon completion of the iLEAD program you will:
- Have developed essential leadership skills in demand by employers and grown your network by forging connections with inspiring current and future leaders
- Receive a certificate of completion allowing you to showcase your leadership development to your peers, industry and the community
- Have your achievement recognised on your Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS), provided to you when you graduate from your studies
- Be invited to participate in the iLEAD Honours program, which will connect with an industry or alumni mentor
Once you complete iLEAD, you may be eligible to continue your leadership journey through the iLEAD Honours program.
iLEAD Honours allows you to connect with alumni and industry mentors, and explore professional networking opportunities. The program involves the following commitments:
- 4 x 1 hour mentoring sessions
- Attendance at a 2-hour leadership development workshop
- Attendance at a Speed Networking event
The 2025 program has concluded. Students who have completed iLEAD and are enrolled to study in 2026 will be invited to join the iLEAD Honours program. More details will be shared in January 2026 with eligible students.
Interested in becoming a mentor for the 2026 program? Send an email to iLEAD@newcastle.edu.au.
Key dates
The key dates for the program are listed below.
At a minimum, you will engage with six events and/or activities requiring a total commitment of approximately 10 hours towards your leadership development. It is encouraged that you work towards completing iLEAD in a 12-month period.
| Event | About | Date/s |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership Stories (Guest Speaker event) | Be inspired by a guest speaker in this leadership talk. | Thursday 13 March 2025 |
| Leadership101 Workshop | Discover the foundations of leadership and how to apply leadership skills in real-world situations. | Wednesday 2 April 2025 |
| Inclusive Leadership Workshop | Develop a toolkit of skills needed to be an inclusive leader and hear from individuals with lived experiences and the impact that inclusive leaders have made in their lives. | Monday 5 May 2025 |
| Student vs. Staff Debate | Attend a light-hearted debate with students and staff going head to head about a current topic. | Friday 1 August 2025 |
| Public Speaking Workshop | Build the core skills required to speak publicly and present with confidence. | Monday 11 August 2025 |
| Industry Challenge | Practice your leadership skills with the support of industry leaders. | Thursday 4 September 2025 |
| Confident Communication | Learn how to adapt your communication style to different audiences and contexts, ensuring your message resonates with clarity and confidence. | Monday 22 September 2025 |
| Speed Networking | Meet new people, expand your contacts, and learn from others in a fast-paced and fun environment. | Thursday 16 October 2025 |
Frequently asked questions
Find the answers to your most frequently asked questions about the iLEAD program.
Yes! Although the iLEAD program is primarily based at the Callaghan and Newcastle City campuses, for events where a high number of students from other campuses have registered, we will book venues at those campuses and ensure the event is livestreamed. If you attend the events in-person, free refreshments will be provided. You'll also be able to engage in networking opportunities facilitated by the Careers Service.
No. You can choose to attend the in-person events the following year. Students who are approaching graduation or attempting to progress into iLEAD Honours for their final year of study are welcome to complete online supplementary activities that are accessible via the iLEAD dashboard.
Students who are inactive in iLEAD are removed from the program at the end of each academic year. You are welcome to recommence the program by submitting the expression of interest form.
Students who previously commenced iLEAD and attended one event and/or activity can track their progress using the iLEAD progress tracker.
Yes! If you join the program but are unable to attend an advertised event/activity, a supplementary online activity will be emailed to you after the advertised event/activity has been held. To progress through the program, you must attend a minimum of six events OR complete the supplementary activity.
The iLEAD Alumni community is made up of students or graduates of the University of Newcastle who have completed the iLEAD program. You can still be a current student and be part of the iLEAD Alumni community.
iLEAD Alumni are eligible to receive invitations to participate in iLEAD events and activities, including networking and celebration events.
If you completed iLEAD prior to 2022 and would like to be added to the iLEAD Alumni database please email iLEAD@newcastle.edu.au with your certificate of completion (or other relevant evidence).
iLEAD Honours allows you to extend your leadership development through professional networking opportunities, mentoring and opportunities to engage with further professional development.
Students who have completed the iLEAD program are eligible for the iLEAD Honours program. Students must be enrolled to study whilst undertaking the iLEAD Honours program.
Eligible students will be sent an invitation to participate in November each year.
When you submit the expression of interest form to join iLEAD Honours you will be given the option to select your mentor preferences which will assist us with our mentor recruitment.
If you already have a mentor, you can provide us with their details, and we will contact them via email and provide them with information regarding the iLEAD Honours program. Once they have confirmed their participation, you will be matched to them and your mentoring sessions with them can be recorded.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.