Illuminate: 2026-2027 Cohorts

Unlock Your Leadership Potential with Illuminate

Are you an AΣΤ member eager to elevate your leadership skills? Alpha Sigma Tau is thrilled to announce the 2026-2027 Illuminate program, our enhanced leadership development program, featuring THREE National cohorts — one for Fall 2026, one for Spring 2027, and one that encompasses both semesters.

After two years of successful Illuminate cohorts, we are expanding Illuminate to include three cohorts focused on different leadership priorities:

  • Lead Within (Fall 2026) – develop your personal leadership skills
  • Lead Together (Spring 2027) – develop skills that help you lead others
  • Lead Beyond (year-long) – develop your professional leadership skills for support beyond graduation

Participants will meet each month, engaging in meaningful conversations and activities aimed at strengthening competencies in key leadership development areas that enhance their personal and professional abilities. All cohorts will meet for 90 minutes on Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT.

Applications for the 2026-2027 cohorts are due August 16, 2026. You may apply to be a part of as many cohorts as you’d like. Participants will be selected and notified by Friday, August 21.

Apply Now for Illuminate

The sophomore cohort will focus on building skills for successful chapter leadership and will include the following topics:

  • Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence 
  • Critical-Thinking, Problem-Solving, and Resourcefulness
  • Building Meaningful Relationships
  • Navigating Conflict
  • Confidence and Resilience
  • Creating Welcoming Spaces through Inclusiveness and Belonging

The junior/senior cohort will focus on building professional and career skills and will include the following topics:

  • Career Academy – Part 1
  • TalentSmart Emotional Intelligence Training – Level 1 (conducted over three monthly sessions in the fall semester; includes a self-rater assessment)
  • Personal Motivation and Accountability
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Career Academy – Part 2

Illuminate is designed to introduce you to essential leadership skills, fostering insightful conversations with peers and professionals. While it’s not about mastering every skill, the program aims to spark your curiosity and passion for continuous learning and personal and professional growth.

Program Features:

  • Monthly Review/Debrief: Discuss completed assignments and homework.
  • Mini Lesson: Gain insights on the monthly topic through focused instruction.
  • Facilitated Group Discussion: Engage in meaningful conversations.
  • Additional Resources: Access tools and materials for further exploration.
  • Practical Application Assignment: Practice and build your skills in real-world scenarios.
  • Pre-Work: Prepare for the upcoming month’s topic with assigned pre-work.

Led by facilitators and guest experts for each session, Illuminate offers a comprehensive approach to leadership development.

Ready to embark on this journey of self-discovery and leadership growth? Join Illuminate and become part of a community dedicated to empowering women leaders.

Sound exciting? Apply by August 16!

Illuminate: Sophomore Cohort

The sophomore cohort will focus on building skills for successful chapter leadership and will include the following topics:

  • Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence 
  • Critical-Thinking, Problem-Solving, and Resourcefulness
  • Building Meaningful Relationships
  • Navigating Conflict
  • Confidence and Resilience
  • Creating Welcoming Spaces through Inclusiveness and Belonging

Additionally, the cohort will conclude the year with a Graduation Celebration to reflect on and share favorite moments from the year.

Introducing our 2025-2026 Sophomore Cohort

Sofia Battitori Psi 2024/James Madison Assistant Director of Academic Success

Jordyn Botto Psi 2024/James Madison

Anabella Galiano Phi 2024/Southeastern Louisiana Secretary

Alexis Govertsen Beta Tau 2025/UMass Lowell

Mockingbird Guiza Epsilon Beta 2022/UT Rio Grande Valley Vice President of Member Development

Rose Mahon Epsilon Psi 2025/Rowan

Jaidalee Vazquez Epsilon Mu 2025/Buffalo Director of the Women’s Wellness Initiative

Your Illuminate Journey: Sophomore Cohort

The Sophomore Cohort will take place on Thursdays from 6-7:30 p.m. ET on the following dates:

September 4

Welcome and Program Overview

September 25

Self-Awareness & Emotional Intelligence

October 16

Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving, and Resourcefulness

November 20

Building Meaningful Relationships

January 15

Navigating Conflict

February 19

Confidence and Resilience

April 2

Creating Welcoming Spaces Through Inclusiveness and Belonging

April 23

Illuminate Graduation Celebration

Illuminate: Junior/Senior Cohort

The junior/senior cohort will focus on building professional and career skills and will include the following topics:

  • Career Academy – Part 1
  • TalentSmart Emotional Intelligence Training – Level 1 (conducted over three monthly sessions in the fall semester; includes a self-rater assessment)
  • Personal Motivation and Accountability
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Career Academy – Part 2

Additionally, the cohort will conclude the year with a Graduation Celebration to reflect on and share favorite moments from the year.

Introducing our 2025-2026 Junior/Senior Cohort

Alexandra Allonardo Delta Epsilon 2023/Marist Vice President of Operations

Livvie Bankosh Alpha Pi 2024/Slippery Rock Vice President of Finance

Sydney Burnette Alpha 2022/Eastern Michigan Vice President of Growth

Sorren Chaudhury Epsilon Xi 2024/Gustavus

Jenna Czajkowski Gamma Tau 2024/Lebanon Valley Vice President of Growth

Bree Daffern Epsilon Gamma 2022/Georgia Southern-Armstrong Vice President of Organization Development

Jules Fayette Psi 2023/James Madison Vice President of Member Development

Lily Frayer Beta Xi 2024/Michigan Tech Member Support and Accountability Chair

Daphnie Knapp Alpha Pi 2024/Slippery Rock Vice President of Community Relations

Elesa Kranz Beta 2023/Central Michigan Vice President of Finance

Celeste Lopez Epsilon Beta 2025/UT Rio Grande Valley

Melodie Loya Epsilon Mu 2025/Buffalo Director of Collegiate-Alumnae Engagement

Alayna McIntosh Delta Eta 2024/Belmont Vice President of Growth

Paige Smith Zeta 2025/Lock Haven Vice President of Member Development

Rosalia Turnbull Delta Pi 2023/Oglethorpe Chapter President

Your Illuminate Journey: Junior/Senior Cohort

The Junior/Senior Cohort will take place on Wednesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. ET on the following dates:

September 3

Welcome, Program Overview, and Career Academy – Part 1

September 24

TalentSmart Emotional Intelligence Level 1 – Part 1

October 15

TalentSmart Emotional Intellence Level 1 – Part 2

November 19

TalentSmart Emotional Intelligence Level 1 – Part 3

January 14

Personal Motivation and Accountability

February 18

Conflict Resolution

April 1

Career Academy – Part 2

April 22

Illuminate Graduation Celebration and
Alumnae Panel

Meet our Facilitators

Each month, you’ll spend 90 minutes in a guided discussion featuring one of our experts:

Pam Peterson Buitendorp, Co-Lead

Pam Peterson Buitendorp (Beta Xi 1989/Michigan Tech) is the Principal Consultant and Joint Owner of SEI Cincinnati, a management consulting firm.

Angie Bong, Co-Lead

Angie Bong is the Chief Operating Officer for Alpha Sigma Tau. She is responsible for implementing strategic initiatives, national events, and Sorority educational programs, among other areas.

Kate Wehby-Rauch

Kate Wehby-Rauch (Gamma Xi 2009/Grand Valley) is committed to empowering people to be the best versions of themselves. She has nearly a decade of experience creating and implementing impactful experiences for everyone from high school students to the C-suite.

Dr. Lauren Cook

Dr. Lauren Cook is a therapist, consultant, speaker, and author. She is passionate about bringing mental health to people of all ages and identities, particularly in the workplace.

Dr. Shannon Lynn Burton

Dr. Shannon Lynn Burton (Gamma Xi 1993/Grand Valley) is the University Ombudsperson at Michigan State University, as well as Co-Ombuds for the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and an Adjunct Professor of Management at Aquinas College where she teaches conflict resolution, group dynamics, and ethics.

Jamie Jones Miller

Jamie Jones Miller (Psi 1995/James Madison) is the Sorority’s 15th National President. Professionally, she is the inaugural Dean and CEO of Northeastern University’s Arlington, Virginia, campus where she blends her passions for national security and leadership development.

Dr. Grace Henry

Dr. Grace Henry (Psi 2022/James Madison) is the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. In this role, she works to develop and implement strategies, activities, and programs to enhance faculty, student, staff, and medical resident diversity.

Kacey Rae Schaum-Hendricks

Kacey Hendricks (Delta 2006/IUP) serves as a career coach and consultant after her 11-year career in higher education. She has been published on the Brain Based Career Development model, which has led to her traveling to universities to train other career services professionals on best practices in career coaching.

Dr. Kristin Walker-Donnelly

Dr. Kristin Walker-Donnelly (Alpha Lambda 2000/Radford) serves as the Director of Assessment for Clemson University’s Division of Student Affairs and has worked in secondary and higher education since 2003. Before focusing on division-level assessment, she served as the Associate Director of Analytics and Initiatives at Clemson’s Center for Career and Professional Development. 

Introducing our 2024-2025 Illuminate cohort

We are thrilled to announce these Sisters as our 2024-2025 Illuminate cohort! Meet them here:

Camera Bailey

Beta Phi 2023/PennWest California

Vice President of Operations and PennWest California Panhellenic Vice President

Kadyn Bunting

Zeta Tau 2023/Longwood

Director of Academic Success

Emily Buss

Beta Eta 2021/SIUE

Chapter President

Jennifer Duarte Triana

Epsilon Beta 2023/UT Rio Grande Valley

Vice President of Operations and UT Rio Grande Valley Panhellenic President

Maya Gallagher

Epsilon Psi 2023/Rowan

Director of Public Relations

Rylie Mansfield

Epsilon Psi 2023/Rowan

Vice President of Finance

Lindsey Schwerdlin

Beta Pi 2023/Eastern Illinois

Vice President of Member Development

Sanjana Subramanyam

Delta Sigma 2022/Saint Joseph’s

Vice President of Finance

Allie Traupman

Alpha Pi 2022/Slippery Rock

Chapter President

Macy Ruchty

Gamma Xi 2022/Grand Valley

Vice President of Member Development

Elliot Schatz

Epsilon Chi 2022/Minnesota Duluth

Vice President of Operations

FAQs

How is this different from the previous Illuminate program?

Does Illuminate sound familiar? If you’re an advisor who was a collegiate member 2014-2020, you may remember Illuminate from your collegiate days. It looks very different than what you remember it as.

In 2024-2025, we successfully relaunched the program with a National cohort of juniors and seniors and a focus on professional development. In 2025-2026, we opened two National Chorts – one for juniors/seniors looking to enhance career skills and one for sophomores looking to build leadership skills. Now, we are opening up three National cohorts – one for personal leadership development, one to help our Sisters lead others, and one to improve professional skills beyond graduation.

Each month, the cohort will cover a pre-selected competency and engage with a topic, including discussions with an expert guest. The cohort will meet virtually for 90 minutes each month, with months dependent on the cohort selected. All participant materials will be provided digitally.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any collegiate member in good standing is eligible to apply for any or all of the three cohorts. Applicants may also not be on any membership status (e.g., professional, study abroad, collegiate-alumnae, medical leave, etc.) during either semester of the 2026-2027 academic year. 

Space in the program is very limited, and selected participants are expected to be fully committed to meeting the program expectations and attending every session. Before applying, interested applicants should ensure they can attend all program sessions and will be expected to arrange class, work, and other commitments around the Illuminate program dates.

Applications for Illuminate close on August 16, 2026.

What are the requirements to participate?

If selected to participate, members are expected to make arrangements to attend all Illuminate sessions during the 2026-2027 academic year.

Lead Within sessions will take place on the following Tuesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. ET (5-6:30 CT).

  • Email Prior – Recorded Video/Welcome & Program Overview
  • Sept. 8, 2026 – Introductions & Personal Motivation
  • Oct. 13, 2026 – Emotional Intelligence
  • Nov. 10, 2026 – Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving
  • Dec. 15, 2026 – Resilience & Graduation

Lead Together sessions will take place on the following Tuesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. ET (5-6:30 CT)

  • Email Prior – Recorded Video/Welcome & Program Overview
  • Jan. 12, 2027 – Introductions & Healthy Relationships
  • Feb. 9, 2027 – Inclusiveness & Belonging
  • Mar. 9, 2027 – Navigating Conflict
  • Apr. 13, 2027 – Accountability & Graduation

Lead Beyond sessions will take place on the following Tuesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. ET (5-6:30 CT)

  • Email Prior – Recorded Video/Welcome & Program Overview
  • Sept. 22, 2026 – Introductions & Self-Awareness
  • Oct. 27, 2026 – Confidence
  • Nov. 24, 2026 – Resilience
  • Jan. 26, 2027 – Career Academy Part 1 – Resume Prep
  • Feb. 23, 2027 – Resourcefulness
  • Mar. 23, 2027 – Career Academy Part 2 – Interviewing Skills/Networking
  • Apr. 27, 2027 – Professionalism/Etiquette & Graduation

Participants will be allowed one absence if needed. More than one absence during the program will result in immediate removal from the cohort. Any participant who resigns or is dismissed during the academic year will also be immediately removed from the cohort.

What is the time commitment?

In addition to the 90-minute sessions each month (listed in FAQ above), there will be assigned pre-work prior to each Illuminate session that all participants must complete. Each session is primarily conversation-based, so all participants should come prepared and ready to engage with others. Participants will also be expected to complete skill application challenges between each session. Participants should expect to spend 1-2 hours between Illuminate sessions on pre-work and skills challenges.

What does it cost to participate?

Thanks to the generosity of the donors to the Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation, there is no program fee for selected participants. Thank you to our donors who make this possible!

What do I get for completing the program?

Aside from the opportunity to build and practice critical leadership skills, participants who complete the Illuminate program will receive a certificate of completion and an Illuminate dangle.

When will I find out if I’m selected?

Applicants who submit by August 16, 2026, will be notified of their selection status by Friday, August 21.