Join Leadership Bakersfield's Class of 2025

• Confidential Application Process: Rest assured that your application will be treated with the utmost confidentiality throughout the entire selection process.
• Rigorous Selection Committee: A distinguished Selection Committee, comprised of accomplished community leaders, meticulously oversees the application screening and interview process.
• Merit-Based Evaluation: Our panel assesses applicants based on a comprehensive range of factors, including community involvement, demonstrating our commitment to assembling a diverse cohort of exceptional individuals.
• Personalized Interview: Finalists are granted the opportunity to present their aspirations and qualifications through a tailored interview, which serves as a pivotal factor in the selection process.

• Residency Requirement: Applicants must be residents of Kern County for a minimum of one year to be eligible for the Leadership Bakersfield program.
• Age Requirement: Candidates must be at least 21 years of age to apply, ensuring that the program caters to individuals in various stages of their professional journey.
• Employer Support: Participation in this program requires the endorsement and commitment of your employer, should you not be self-employed. To facilitate this, we kindly request applicants to complete the employer signature form, which can be conveniently uploaded during the application process.
  • Participants must be given permission during work hours to work on group projects and meet with community members.
  • If you are self-employed you must make the commitment to meet during regular working hours, Monday through Friday to meet with your teams.

The tuition cost for the year-long Leadership Bakersfield program is $1,200.

Scholarship Opportunities:
Selected participants will have the opportunity to apply for partial scholarships. These scholarships are designed to ensure that the program remains accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds, regardless of financial constraints.