TUSCALOOSA, Ala.—Beginning in February, high school sophomores in Tuscaloosa County can apply for the Leaders to Legends program intended to empower student leaders to be changemakers in their schools and communities.
In the 2025-26 school year, Leaders to Legends will foster character development, career pathways and community outreach. Students will participate in monthly, hands-on sessions exploring Tuscaloosa’s economic, social, historical and political landscape. Community leaders will mentor students as they participate in character-building activities and service projects.
Previously the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama’s Forerunners program, the reimagined program is a collaboration between The University of Alabama Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education, the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, the Leadership Tuscaloosa Alumni Association, and the Tuscaloosa city and county school systems.
Tuscaloosa City School and Tuscaloosa County School System students who are in 10th grade and will be in 11th grade during the program may apply for the Leaders to Legends program. Students can apply at leaderstolegends.ua.edu beginning Feb. 3 until March 7.
Interviews for the first cohort of Leaders to Legends will take place March 13 – April 11, with decision letters delivered in May. Participants from Leadership Tuscaloosa will serve as an interview committee and select 40 students to participate each year.
Selected students will be required to submit registration documents and attend each session of the Leaders to Legends program. Session locations include the UA campus, Shelton State Community College and the Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy.
2025-2026 Session Schedule:
Session #1 – Foundations of Leadership | Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 |
Session #2 – Guided Growth | Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 |
Session #3 – Serving with Purpose | Thursday, Nov.13, 2025 |
Session #4 – Collaborative Leadership | Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026 |
Session #5 – Aspiration to Achievement | Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 |
Session #6 – Legacy of Leadership and Graduation | Friday, April 10, 2026 |
Learn more and apply at leaderstolegends.ua.edu. For questions, email Kelly Wolfe at leaderstolegends@ua.edu.
Program Contacts:
Tuscaloosa City Schools:
Lydia Avant
Director, Public Relations
lavant@tusc.k12.al.us
Tuscaloosa County School System:
Terri Brewer
Director of Public Relations
tbrewer@tcss.net
The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama:
Shelby Gandy
Marketing and Communications Manager
shelby@westalabamachamber.com
The University of Alabama:
Kelly Wolfe
Program Director
kdwolfe@ua.edu
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state’s flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides an inclusive, forward-thinking environment and nearly 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus. A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. As the state’s largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.