How to Apply

• Identify and bring together men and women of Stockton who welcome the opportunity to expand their involvement in community affairs and are willing to assume leadership positions.
• Enhance the participant’s knowledge of and commitment to the Greater Stockton area to make their involvement in community affairs more effective.
• Develop and form friendships that will benefit their professional and volunteer careers.
• Promote active involvement by the participants in a wide range of civic and community affairs.
• Stimulate a common understanding among the various social and economic groups of the forces and trends affecting the development of the community, and enhance the ability of these groups to work together for the advancement of the Greater Stockton area.
• Facilitate and exchange viewpoints and varied experiences among all participants in the program, thereby expanding communication among the most active and involved members of the community.

A representative group of approximately 25-27 participants will be selected annually. Area businesses, public and private agencies, civic groups, and other organizations are asked to identify and sponsor individuals with leadership potential for the Leadership Stockton program.

Candidates are chosen to represent a rich diversity of backgrounds, which facilitates personal interaction within the group and increases understanding and knowledge of Stockton.

Participants are chosen from written applications and personal interviews by a selection committee.

Leadership Stockton is open to all individuals, regardless of creed, race, age, philosophy, or disability.

After graduation, Leadership Stockton participants are ready to begin their roles as involved leaders through demonstrated community activities and continual support of the Leadership program.

Leadership Stockton is a non-profit program of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce. The program is supported by tuition, contributions from area organizations, local businesses and the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce. The tuition for 2026 – 2027 is $2,000 per participant. (Scholarships are available)

The deadline to apply is Noon on Friday, June 19, 2026. Please fill out the online application or download the application, complete it and email, mail or drop off in person to arrive by the deadline.  To encourage personal dedication to the Leadership Stockton program, all participants are required to pay the first $200 of the tuition fee(after acceptance into the class). Full and partial scholarships are also available.

Participants in Leadership Stockton must have the support and commitment of their employer, if not self-employed. This ensures the employee will be able to fulfill the program requirements.

In order for Leadership Stockton to accomplish its stated goals, the full participation of each individual is necessary. Participation requirements include:

• Mandatory attendance at the Orientation Session (Friday, August 7, 2026), the Leadership Dynamics (August 14, 2026) and the two-day Retreat (September 25 & 26, 2026).
• Participate in individual projects, encouraging participants to explore their Stockton community.
• Participate in a year-long hands-on community project.
• More than one absence during the program year will result in deletion from the program with no tuition refund. Late arrival or partial attendance at any session in excess of two occurrences will result in deletion from the program and no refund.