Leadership Oklahoma Adult Class Program
Leadership Oklahoma
Fifty-two leaders are chosen from across the state and as a participant, you’ll engage with industry leaders and explore the state’s opportunities, needs, issues, and resources. The 10-month program gives you a new set of eyes from which you’ll see your community and our great state.
Because class members invest so much of themselves and their time, a powerful living network is formed–one that is capable of identifying, evaluating, and implementing projects that enhance the lives of Oklahomans.
The goal of our eye-opening, one-of-a-kind, issues-focused program is to foster cohesiveness among a diverse group of people from a wide range of backgrounds. Oklahomans coming together to help Oklahoma. This is truly the essence of the Leadership Oklahoma experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Leadership Oklahoma?
Leadership Oklahoma is the premier professional and leadership program and network in the state. No other organization offers VIP-level access to top leaders like we do.
The Leadership Oklahoma experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore Oklahoma’s key issues and challenges with authorities from every industry in Oklahoma–military, sovereignty, tourism, criminal justice, state government, education, economic development, agriculture, energy, and more.
Approximately 50 people are chosen from across the state and as a participant, you’ll engage with industry leaders and explore the state’s opportunities, needs, issues and resources. The 10-month program gives you a new set of eyes from which you’ll see your community and our great state. The application for Class 39 will be available in January 2026. Click HERE to refer a leader!
What Happens During the Leadership Oklahoma Experience?
Hands-on learning experiences, tours, role-playing, panel presentations, videos, lectures, Q&A sessions, and other activities. The opening retreat serves as an ice breaker among participants to develop familiarity and a comfort level. It’s followed by monthly issues-focused sessions broken out into eight, two-day class sessions. The major issues examined include health, energy, education, environment, state government, military, sovereignty, transportation, agriculture, economic development, human services, criminal justice, and a variety of other topics.
When Are the Sessions?
The two-day class sessions begin in August and end in the spring. Each session is hosted at a different location throughout the state.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Leadership Oklahoma is open to Oklahoma residents 21 years of age or older and doesn’t discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, or national origin. Participants are chosen based on:
• Ability
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Interest in their community
• Understanding of effective leadership
Our application process ensures each class consists of members from diverse experiences, backgrounds, and geographical locations. Approximately 50 participants are chosen every year. The online application for Class 39 will be available in January 2026. Click HERE to refer a leader!
How Much Does the Program Cost?
Tuition is $3,800 and covers all program costs, materials, meals, and onsite transportation. Tuition does not pay for transportation to and from each session and lodging (except for the session in Lawton/Fort Sill).
Check with your employer to see if they’ll pay all or some of the costs for you to attend on behalf of the organization.
Is Tuition Assistance Available?
Financial assistance and extended payment terms are offered on a limited basis. Financial assistance from $500-$2,400 is available. We may not be able to provide the full amount requested but will work diligently to create an affordable payment plan. Complete all elements of the tuition assistance form after you’ve submitted the program application. You can submit an application HERE.
Requests for financial assistance are considered on the basis of demonstrated need and you may be required to submit personal financial information. Acceptance into the program is not a guarantee of financial assistance.
What Are the Attendance Requirements?
We begin in August with a mandatory overnight two-day retreat at St. Crispin’s which is fundamental to the program because it establishes the foundation for your entire experience. After the retreat, you’ll attend two-day class sessions every month except December. Sessions are held at different locations throughout the state.
*Absence from more than one full session or the accumulation of partial sessions that equals one full session will make you ineligible to complete the program.
What's the Best Way to Maintain Balance Among Family and Work?
Our program is a huge time–and energy–commitment and the truth is, you must fully commit to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dramatically up level your professional and personal life.
The Leadership Oklahoma experience is unequivocally beyond compare to any other type of leadership program. Our illustrious community of bankers, physicians, elected officials, superintendents, business owners, CEO’s, government employees, mothers and fathers dedicated their time for 10 months and it’s what we ask of you.
Spouses and significant others are not included in meetings or overnight sessions, except for Orientation. They are welcome at some social activities outside of the class sessions. You must decide whether this program is right for you at the time.
Adult Program Overview
The Leadership Oklahoma program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore Oklahoma’s key issues and challenges with authorities from every industry in Oklahoma–military, sovereignty, tourism, criminal justice, state government, education, economic development, agriculture, energy, and more.
Approximately 50 people are chosen from across the state and as a participant, you’ll engage with industry leaders and explore the state’s opportunities, needs, issues, and resources. The 10-month program gives you a new set of eyes from which you’ll see your community and our great state.
Because class members invest so much of themselves and their time, a powerful living network is formed–one that is capable of identifying, evaluating, and implementing projects that enhance the lives of Oklahomans.
The goal of our eye-opening, one-of-a-kind, issues-focused program is to foster cohesiveness among a diverse group of people from a wide range of backgrounds. Oklahomans coming together to help Oklahoma. This is truly the essence of the Leadership Oklahoma experience.
The Leadership Oklahoma Experience
We begin each class with a mandatory two-day overnight retreat at St. Crispin’s . From there, you’ll embark on a 10-month adventure that takes you deep into the state’s innerworkings and far and wide across the state, from the great plains of the panhandle to the hardwood forests and pine-covered mountains of the Ouachita Mountains in southeastern Oklahoma.
As you navigate through each month of the program, your perspective will shift as you learn first-hand the issues facing our state. In the spring, you and your classmates are eligible to become part of the exclusive Leadership Oklahoma community.
10-MONTH PROGRAM SCHEDULE
New Class Orientation will be July 25, 2025 The new class members are welcomed by the board and members of Leadership Oklahoma at the Oklahoma History Center
Session 1: Opening Retreat at St. Crispin's Conference Center
Seminole/Wewoka - August 21-22, 2025 with optional activity on the 20th. This session is required to participate in the program
Session 2: September 26 – 27, 2025 with optional activity on the 25th
Military Issues - Ft. Sill
Session 3: October 24 – 25, 2025 with optional activity on the 23rd
Criminal Justice - McAlester
Session 4: November 14 – 15, 2025 with optional activity on the 13th
Tribal Sovereignty - Sulphur
Session 5: January 9 – 10, 2026 with optional activity on the 8th
Energy & Economic Development - Enid
Session 6: February 6 – 7, 2026 with optional activity on the 5th
Human Services & Philanthropy - Oklahoma City
Session 7: March 6 – 7, 2026 with optional activity on the 5th
Healthcare & Mental Health - Tulsa
Session 8: April 9 – 10, 2026 with optional activity on the 8th
Agriculture, Immigration & Integration - Guymon
Session 9: May 1 - 2, 2026 with optional activity on April 30
Education & Commencement - Stillwater
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
We begin in the fall with a mandatory two-day overnight retreat at St. Crispin’s which is a fundamental component of the program because it establishes the foundation for your entire experience. After the retreat, you’ll spend two days a month in class from September through May. Classes are held at different locations throughout the state.
*Absence from more than one full session or the accumulation of partial sessions that equals one full session will make you ineligible to complete the program.
Sessions vary and can include tours, videos, panel presentations, role-playing, Hands-on learning experiences, lectures, Q&A sessions, and other activities where leading industry experts conduct presentations and discussions.
Each month before each session you’ll receive a class packet with maps of the exact location, agendas, and other vital information.
A BALANCING ACT
Our program is a huge time–and energy–commitment and the truth is you must fully commit to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dramatically up level your professional and personal life.
The Leadership Oklahoma experience is unequivocally beyond compare to any other type of leadership program offered in the state. Our illustrious network of bankers, physicians, elected officials, superintendents, business owners, CEO’s, government employees, mothers, and fathers have dedicated their time for 10 months and it’s what we ask of you.
Spouses and significant others are not included in meetings or overnight sessions, except for Orientation. They are welcome at some social activities outside of the class sessions. You must decide whether this program is right for you at the time.
ADULT PROGRAM APPLICATION PROCESS
Leadership Oklahoma is open to Oklahoma residents 21 years of age or older and doesn’t discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, or national origin. Participants are chosen based on ability, demonstrated leadership skills, interest in their community and understanding of effective leadership.
Our application process ensures each class consists of members from diverse experiences, backgrounds, and geographical locations. Approximately 50 participants are chosen every year.Each year, Leadership Oklahoma brings together 52 of the state’s most outstanding leaders for an issues-oriented class program. Monthly sessions, held in various communities, address critical challenges facing our state. Participants are chosen through a rigorous application process and selected from across the state to represent Oklahoma’s professional, geographical and cultural diversity.
The goal is to tap the energies of diverse leaders that represent a microcosm of our state to initiate positive change for the benefit of all Oklahomans. Oklahoma leaders making Oklahoma the leader.
The application for Class 39 will open in January 2026.
TUITION & APPLICATION PAYMENTS
Tuition is $3,800 and covers all program costs, materials, meals, and onsite transportation. Tuition does not pay for transportation to and from each session or lodging.
Check with your employer to see if they’ll pay all or some of the costs for you to attend on behalf of the organization.
TUITION ASSISTANCE
Financial assistance and extended payment terms are offered on a limited basis. Financial assistance from $500-$2,400 is available. We may not be able to provide the full amount requested but will work diligently to create an affordable payment plan. Complete all elements of the tuition assistance form after you’ve submitted the program application. You can complete an application HERE.
Requests for financial assistance are considered on the basis of demonstrated need. You may be required to submit personal financial information. Acceptance into the program is not a guarantee of financial assistance.