Applications for the Wilson Leadership Scholar Award due May 1

Seven Wilson Leader Scholars standing outside with Scholarship founder Lynton “Red” Wilson and McMaster President Patrick Deane and AVP and Dean of Students Sean Van Koughnett.

BY Liz Koblyk

April 5, 2019

Applications for the new graduate stream of the Wilson Leadership Scholar Award (WLSA) are due on May 1. The financial award of up to $25,000, paired with the career launcher and leadership development program, makes the WLSA unique in Canada.

Award winners have access to mentors, visiting speakers, and experiential learning opportunities. The latter includes a community project that complements each winner’s academic program, the opportunity to lead discussions and other events in collaboration with the Socrates Project, and an optional short-term internship. Wilson Leaders have praised the program for giving them stronger interdisciplinary problem-solving skills, the confidence to lead people and projects, and access to a tight-knit community of other Wilson Leaders.

The award was founded by Chancellor Emeritus Lynton “Red” Wilson and the Wilson Foundation to help develop the next generation of Canadian leaders. Potential applications shouldn’t assume there’s just one type of leader, however, advises Sean Van Koughnett, award Director, and AVP and Dean of Students. 

“The current and past Wilson Leaders are a diverse group, in terms of interests, strengths, leadership styles, and even the degree to which they identify with the term ‘leader’”, he notes. “We’re looking for people who want to solve problems and make an impact on the world around them.  Beyond that, though, there isn’t a cookie-cutter style of leader that we’re looking to replicate.”

Van Koughnett notes that there are some misconceptions that keep students from applying. One is that the award is too much of a time commitment. “In actuality, the time commitment is significantly less than a Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant position.” 

Another misconception is that the award is only for “exceptional” people. In response, Van Koughnett says, “All the Wilson Leaders have accomplished exceptional achievements – ones they thought were out of reach when they started the program. We know that Canada’s next leaders may not have a ‘perfect’ GPA or a CV full of accomplishments. If you can see ways the experiential parts of the WLSA would be useful to you, then apply for it.”

For more information about the award, eligibility and the application process, see wilsonleader.ca.