Academy
The practice field for leadership
Leadership is practiced, not taught. The Academy is where members who've completed meaningful work practice becoming the facilitators, hosts, and community leaders who help others move forward. You'll build reps, get feedback, document what you can handle, and earn a credential that makes you eligible to apply for paid roles as GradPlanHQ grows.
The path from member to leader
The path isn't a course you sit through, and a credential doesn't guarantee employment. It's built on practice: each step gives you real reps, a chance to help others move forward, and a way to document what you can handle and become eligible for future openings.
01
Member
Complete meaningful work and learn how the Growth Cycle operates.
You gain: Project experience, proof, reflection, and familiarity with the community.
02
Facilitator
Co-host sessions, practice running the room, and receive written feedback.
You gain: Facilitation practice, leadership examples, feedback, and progress toward the credential.
03
Certified Facilitator
Complete the published credential requirements and pass the facilitation review.
You gain: A dated credential, documented facilitation experience, and eligibility to apply for relevant paid openings.
04
Community Ambassador or Community Manager
As funded cohorts and local programs open, qualified facilitators may apply to help run them.
You gain: A possible paid leadership opportunity and responsibility for helping a cohort or local community operate.
How members develop
Leadership is practiced, not studied. You develop readiness by doing the work, helping others move forward, and documenting what you can handle. Meetups, Project Launchers, PeerTakes, and chapters all give you somewhere to practice.
- Facilitator PracticePart of the facilitator pathway
Build leadership reps
Learn to run the room, not just sit in it
Facilitation is practiced, not studied. Co-host meetups, support a Project Launcher, and practice keeping a group moving when nobody's talking. Written feedback after each rep helps you document what you can handle. These reps support progress toward the facilitator credential; they don't guarantee a future role.
You walk away with: Facilitation practice, leadership examples, written feedback, and progress toward the credential.
See the credential → - CredentialingAvailable now
Document readiness to lead
Certified Growth Cycle Facilitator
The Academy's credential. It documents practice, not attendance: finish a full project cycle, co-host four meetups, and pass a short facilitation review. It's included in membership, including access for eligible Founding Beta Members during the free beta period, with no certificate fee or upsell.
You walk away with: A dated credential and eligibility to apply for relevant paid openings as they become available. Certification doesn't guarantee a role.
How you earn it →
Supporting learning experiences
Occasional webinars or short boot camps may support the pathway over time. They can help members learn from practitioners or finish useful artifacts, but they aren't currently scheduled Academy programs.
The furthest rung can be local leadership
The College Town model is designed to fund a local ambassador seat. A qualified facilitator in that seat would help keep local meetups, projects, relationships, and student participation moving. It's a possible extension of the Academy pathway, not an automatic promotion or a currently guaranteed opening.
For town leaders building that local support system:
See the College Town Program →