Headwaters Leadership Academy

Headwaters Leadership Academy

The Headwaters Leadership Academy mission is to build a pipeline for emerging leaders by forming a network of early career freshwater scientists and providing mentorship, service, and professional development opportunities beyond the typical training offered in traditional academic settings.

Every year, twelve early career scientists are selected to join the academy. The Headwaters Leadership Academy is a two-year commitment from September to May of each year that requires mandatory participation in its three components:

  1. Professional Development – eight interactive presentations (4/year); 1.5 hr each 
  2. Mentoring Program – monthly discussions; 1 hr each; groups of 2 mentors and 2-3 mentees)
  3. Society Service – participation in an SFS committee or other society service

Jump to application instructions

Headwaters Leadership Academy participants and mentors meet at the Southeast Chapter of SFS in Columbus, GA, USA in November 2023. Pictured from left to right: Viviana Bravo (2022 cohort), Arial Shogren (2023 mentor), Jonathan Lopez (HLA co-chair), A.J. Reisinger (2022 mentor), Frank Akamagwuna (2022 cohort), Laura Naslund (2023 cohort), Kelsey Solomon (2023 cohort), Checo Colón-Gaud (2022 mentor).

HLA committee:

Co-chair: Jonathan Lopez (University of Alabama), jwlopez@ua.edu
Co-chair: Marc Peipoch (Stroud Water Research Center), mpeipoch@stroudcenter.org
Ashley Moerke (Lake Superior State University)
Allison Roy (USGS, University of Massachusetts)
Corrie Nyquist (Lund University, Sweden)

How to Apply:

The Headwaters Leadership Academy, administered by the Society for Freshwater Science, is seeking early-career freshwater scientists for its 2024 cohort! Applications are due on June 30 of each year.

All applicants must be either in the last year of their intended terminal degree or less than five years since their terminal degree was awarded, and must be (or become) members of the Society for Freshwater Science. The selection criteria prioritize creating a cohort with diverse perspectives and experiences by representing varying career stages, career types, and demographics. A personal statement from each applicant describing their expectations and goals for this program is required as part of this application and will be also considered during the selection process. The personal statement should NOT include a description of your research. You can view the assessment rubric for the personal statement here.

To apply for the next cohort of the Headwaters Leadership Academy, please fill out the application form.