For more than 25 years, MSU’s Emerging Leaders Program has been providing potential school principals an opportunity to explore in detail the knowledge, skillsets, and mindsets required to be a successful leader in today’s complex educational environments. This intimate, three-day experience connects emerging educational leaders with highly successful assistant principals, principals, and superintendents. Together, they explore the joys and challenges inherent in the principalship. This event is held in July of each year in collaboration with the statewide elementary and secondary principals associations.
Date: July 8-10, 2026
Location: Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, 219 S. Harrison Road, East Lansing, MI
Cost: $385 per person, which includes registration, materials, breakfast, and lunch each day.
Lodging: Lodging is not included but is available at the Kellogg Center, East Lansing, MI. Book online at kelloggcenter.com by following the steps below or call (517)432-4000, and ask for reservations to book. Reference Emerging Leaders for a discounted rate of $129 per night for a standard room.
Steps to book your reservation online:
SCECHs: 19 SCECHs will be offered (pending MDE approval) at no cost to you.
Agenda: View our preliminary agenda.
Registration: Registration for the Emerging Leader 2026 Program will open on March 4, 2026.
Micro-Credential: Emerging Leaders 2026 has been approved for an MSU College of Education micro-credential. To receive a micro-credential you will be asked to complete an assignment to demonstrate your learning, which will be discussed during the program. You will have time after the conference for project completion.
For questions regarding the Emerging Leaders Program, please contact Megan Papoi, mpapoi@msu.edu.