Undergraduate Leadership Ventures
How WLV Teaches Leadership:
Leadership Ventures are experiences that facilitate self-discovery, leadership, and character development. Participants are able to step out of their comfort zone, exceed personal limitations, and experience leadership firsthand. WLV programs provide a set of engaged, hands-on experiences for exploring and mastering the capabilities for effective individual and team leadership in business and beyond. Leadership Ventures that are offered consist of:
INTENSIVES
Intensives are experiential based programs that provide genuine environments of uncertainty and challenge. Intensives range from one-two days and tend to be low-medium in physical intensity.
EXPEDITIONS
Expeditions are outdoor, experiential programs ranging from 7-10 days and tend to be high in physical intensity. Expeditions span the globe and are at a subsidized cost by the McNulty Leadership Program. Prices vary dependent on location and activities. Scholarships are limited and are based on financial need to cover the land cost of the expedition.
The defining characteristics of an Expedition Venture include:
- Limited distractions
- Immersion event — limited opportunities to quit or exit
- Critical decision-making — the outcome is dependent on the decisions of the leader of the day and the team
- Authentic uncertainty —path/process to goal or outcome is not guaranteed, risk of failure is inherent
- Opportunities of stress — from ambiguity, risk of failure, conflict, and unfamiliar roles and responsibilities
- Expedition and goal-oriented with many opportunities for reflection
Registration and Dates
2018 Fall Information Session Presentation: TBD
REGISTRATION – all registration occurs via Course Match.
Expeditions: All expedition registration will happen at once in September and all participants will be notified by October. There will be an Information Session held in September for ALL ventures which will provide additional information – expeditions vs. intensives and what is involved in each.
Intensives: Registration for an intensive will occur via CourseMatch during the same run of Expeditions. All students will be emailed with a registration link. One week prior to the intensive, students will be notified that they have been selected. Participant lists are randomly selected.
| Venture | Dates | Focus |
| Antarctica Trekking | Dec. 27, 2017-Jan. 4, 2018 | Backpacking, Mountaineering, Glacier Travel, Winter Tent Camping |
| Patagonia Trekking | Dec. 27, 2017 - Jan. 4, 2018 | Backcountry Trekking, Natural Horsemanship |
| Utah Canyoneering | March 3-10, 2018 | Backcountry Trekking, Canyoneering |
| Caribbean Small Crew Sailing | March 3-10, 2018 | Caribbean Ocean Sailing |
| Venture | Dates | Focus |
| Gunks Ridge Traverse Mountain Biking | Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 | Mountain Biking, Navigation, Team Building, Decision-Making, Collaboration, Team Dynamics |
| Leadership Insight: High Ropes Challenge Course | Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 | Team Building, High Ropes Course, Leadership Strategy, Communication, Rapport Building |
| Team Sailing | Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 | Team Sailing, Feedback, Communication, Decision-Making, Team Dynamics |
| Outdoor Rock Climbing | Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 | Rock Climbing, Trust, Rapport Building, Communication |
| Leadership at the Big Top: Circus Arts | Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 | Communication, Teamwork, Trust & Rapport Building, Expressiveness, Creativity |
Workshops
Leadership Development Workshops are a set of free active leadership learning opportunities. Workshops focus on one- to three-day programs that highlight alternative leadership education methodologies or specific topics. With a minimal time commitment and no cost, they are an ideal way to add to your leadership portfolio while at Wharton.
| Workshop | Dates | Focus |
| Artistry in Action: Glassblowing | October 2017 | Communication Clarity, Collaboration, Creativity, Focus |
| Equine Teambuilding | November 2017 | Self-awareness, Collaboration, Teamwork, Emotional Intelligence |
| Trauma Systems | October 2017 | Teamwork, Leadership Strategy, Decision-Making, Team Dynamics, Feedback |
| Leadership at the Big Top: Circus Arts | November 2017 | Communication, Teamwork, Trust & Rapport Building |
| Leadership Presence | October 2017 | Stage Presence, Collaboration, Expressiveness, Creativity, Listening |
| Marine Leadership | October 2017 | Leadership Strategy, Teamwork, Tenacity |
More Venture Resources
Financial Aid
Scholarships for the Leadership Ventures are awarded annually for expedition-based Ventures. Only initial Course Match registrants will be eligible for the Scholarship.
Policies and FAQs
In the CourseMatch system, students should input their true preferences for all ventures. There is no limit to the number of ventures that a student can select. For more information on Enrollment Policies, click here.
We are here to help.
We encourage you to speak to any Venture Fellow or Associate Director Erica Montemayor.
Apply for a Fellowship
Venture Fellows are selected in March of your first year to serve in your second year. Go to the Venture Fellows page for more information. Prior participation in a Wharton Leadership Venture is not necessary.