Cohort 4 Launching Spring Semester 2026

The Wilberforce Leadership Program is a 2-year journey into the question of “What is a life well lived?” at the intersection of faith and work.

Spring 2026 Schedule

We will meet from 5-6:30 pm on Thursdays for a time of teaching and discussion.

Spring Schedule

• Week 1 (1/16): Kick Off & Intro to the Semester

• Week 2 (1/22): The Four-Chapter Gospel: What Story Are You Living In?

• Week 3 (1/29): Speaker - Mike McIntyre

• Week 4 (2/5): Formation - How am I being formed? - Formation Audit

• Week 5 (2/12): Creation & Vocation - What is yours to do?

• Week 6 (2/19): Speaker - Chris Evans

• Week 7 (2/26): Formation - Exploring Vocation - A Case Study

• Week 8 (3/5): Fall - Why does life/work feel so pointless?

• Week 9 (3/12): Speaker - Lara Casey Isaacson

• Week 10 (3/26): Formation - What matters to me?

• Week 11 (4/9): Redemption & New Creation: How should we then live?

• Week 12 (4/16): Speaker - Cindy Lee

• Week 13 (4/23): Semester Wrap-Up

• Date TBD: Pre-summer Retreat

In addition to these weekly meetings, there will be a Vision Retreat in January and the opportunity to attend occasional dinners and lunches with Christian practitioners. Please contact Will Spokes at will@ncstudycenter.org with any questions.

About the Wilberforce Leadership Program

WLP Goals

The Wilberforce Leadership Program (WLP) equips undergraduate students to live coherent lives of deep faith, thoughtful influence, and service. We explore the meaning of work, encourage students to assess their own unique gifts, and connect students with like-minded practitioners in diverse spheres of life. Our hope is to see students serve and lead at Carolina and beyond.

Who is involved

Along with staff from the North Carolina Study Center, a steering committee of practitioners in the UNC community has provided helpful advice.

Supplemental resources available to WLP participants

• Access to growing alumni database for internship and job connections

• Peer Mentorship through Student Advisory Council

• Mentorship opportunities through The 12 & Lydia Group

• Resume, LinkedIn, Application coaching 

• Study Center staff support & guidance

• Personality, gifting, strength assessment & tools 

WLP SUMMER

Students have their choice to apply for summers where they can exhibit leadership in the marketplace or nonprofit sector. Past students have worked with Bank of America, Sovereigns Capital, Young Life camps, Edify, Middleground Capital, Northwestern Mutual, and various other challenging and rewarding opportunities.

The summer of 2026 is offering a Mission House in Nairobi, Kenya, where students work or volunteer for a month in education, medicine, or business while having an immersive experience in Kenya. Find out more about the WLP Mission House here.

Regardless of their internship, students are encouraged to approach their work thoughtfully alongside industry advisors, Study Center staff, and coaches from the UNC faculty, student, and practitioner community.

Students meet over Zoom during the summer, pooling experiences and encouraging one another. At the end of the summer, students are taught to reflect constructively on their summer and to consider what they have learned about God, his mission, and themselves.

Program Priorities

1. Give students an expanded vision for mission and work

2. Encourage students to assess their own gifts, personal trajectory, and vocations

3. Connect students with one another and with a network of motivated practitioners

4. Teach students to glorify God in their spheres of influence.

Questions?

If you have questions or want to discuss the Wilberforce Leadership Program
further, please contact Madison Perry at madison@ncstudycenter.org
or Connor Porco at connor@ncstudycenter.org.