The Iacocca Institute’s Global Village is where current and future leaders convene. Immerse yourself in experiential education, cutting-edge global problem solving, and dynamic intercultural engagement. Join the 2025 cohort to supercharge your career, gain insights from world-class experts, address complex, multisystem problems and connect with trailblazing young leaders from across the globe. Upon completion of the Iacocca Global Village program, you will join an incredible network of nearly 3,000 program alumni from more than 140 countries!
Develop a holistic understanding of complex issues through systems thinking. Become a leader who can identify interconnected problems and design effective solutions.
Become an interactive force for positive change. Develop the empathy and resilience needed to lead in a complex world.
Forge lifelong connections and gain a global perspective. Experience the power of intercultural exchange.
Key Program Activites
Consultative Education, Living Case Projects
We believe in learning by doing and invite program participants to engage in real work in our communities on complex, multisystem challenges with global relevance. By partnering with local governments, corporations, academic institutions and community members, Global Village program participants will learn how to address challenges as well as what is required of leaders to get things done when multiple views, conflict or uncertainty exist. We call these living cases because the most complex problems we face cannot be solved quickly or easily. We believe participating in solutions that develop over time connects our learners with the context, complexity, emotions, and struggles of those who are resident in our communities - which can make all the difference in developing leaders who can rise above disruption and make progress happen. During these engagements, our learners will better understand themselves, others and how the cases they address impact the world we share.
Diverse Learning Groups
We don’t assign our learners to groups for our programs, rather we design our groups and teams for what is needed to maximize learning in our ecosystem.
Personal Leadership Assessment (3 diagnostic tests)
We need to understand ourselves - our strengths, preferences, dislikes, and weaknesses before we are ready to lead. We also believe that our learners must know others, appreciate their circumstances and viewpoints. Awareness of oneself, others and the world around us is an essential component of our programming and approach to leadership development and long lasting, mutually beneficial relationships that can last a lifetime.
Coaching/Mentoring
While getting to know oneself and others can be challenging, we do not expect you to do it alone - though we do invite and expect maximum effort. During the Global Village program you will be surrounded by living case coaches, alumni who will serve as guides, personal coaches to help you further your understanding of yourself and others, as well as introductions to leaders and subject matter experts from multiple industries and origins.
Distinguished Executive Speakers
We bring our network to you! We have both breadth and depth of faculty at Lehigh University representing five colleges - Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering and Health. We also have experts in entrepreneurship, innovation, intercultural relations and communication, leadership development, and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We are ready to work with you; and our Iacocca Institute, Executive Fellows, representing multiple regions of the world, bring real time experience and points of view into all of our work together.
Personalized Leadership Development Plans
An essential component of our programming is to work with you, over the course of nearly a year, to develop your own leadership development plan. We invite you to bring your passion and purpose to life for the good of all.
Alumni Network
Being a part of the Global Village program is being a part of something bigger; being part of the Global Village Alumni is being a part of a close knit global network for life.
Program Outcomes
Master best practices in systems leadership, civil discourse, and community learning.
Address real-world global challenges with skills and insights from industry leaders.
Become an empathetic and empowered global leader and future maker.
Receive support and opportunities through networking and mentorship.
Global Village 2025 Schedule
Part 1 (Part-Time, Virtual)
February 2025 - June 2025
Part 2 (Full-Time, Lehigh Campus)
July 14, 2025 - August 1, 2025
Part 3 (Part-Time, Virtual)
September 2025 - December 2025
Additional Program Details
- Part 1(Part-Time, Virtual) - Complete several self-assessment tools, including the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument and the Clifton Strengths Finder. Explore leadership and business practices through preparatory readings. Fulfill assignments at your own pace and meet your cohort virtually
- Part 2 (Full-Time, Lehigh Campus) - Global Village participants stay in Lehigh University housing. Rooms are single occupancy, with shared bathrooms. Self-serve laundry facilities are available for participant use. Participants will enjoy food from campus dining services, area restaurants, and dorm kitchens. Dietary restrictions (medical and religious) and preferences (where possible) will be accommodated.
- Part 3 (Part-Time, Virtual) - Network with your cohort, Iacocca Institute and Lehigh alumni. Compete in a dynamic Business Competition. Receive mentorship from executive coaches. Get connected with recruitment agencies for tailored placement opportunities.
Program Cost & What’s Included
- 6 months virtual programming
- 21 days room and board
- 18 days of meals(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- All course materials
- Trips to NYC, Philadelphia, and other regional attractions
- Corporate visits
- 3 diagnostic tests
- All cultural events
- All networking events
TOTAL COST: 5,000 USD
What you need to apply
We look for well rounded Leaders for the Global Village. The entire application process is designed to help us pick the best and brightest leaders for tomorrow who will both add value and learn a lot from the Village.
Documents needed for application:
- Current resume / CV
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Academic transcript or latest Job Performance Evaluation
- Personal Statement & Short Bio
- Evidence of English proficiency ( you will only need to upload one of these documents)
- TOEFL Score
- Cambridge Score
- Duolingo English Test Score
- FLEX of YES Program certificate of completion
- Written letter from a professor
- Proof of studies in English language school
Program Deadlines & Notification
- The priority admissions deadline is February 7, 2025.
- After February 7, applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until all spaces are filled, at which point qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist and notified should a spot become available.
By the Numbers
About the Global Village
years of program experience
countries represented over the years
News & Announcements
Iacocca Institute Executive Director Scott Koerwer releases October video update
Each month, Iacocca Institute Executive Director Scott Koerwer releases brief video updates to keep the Iacocca Institute and Global Village community and alumni informed.
Iacocca Institute Executive Director Scott Koerwer releases September video update
Each month, Iacocca Institute Executive Director Scott Koerwer releases brief video updates to keep the Iacocca Institute and Global Village community and alumni informed.
Lehigh’s international programs inspire Filipino leader to drive change at home
Guill Marc Mariano, a Filipino leader, credits Lehigh University's international programs for inspiring his work in global education and driving positive change in his local community.