Leadership Simpsonville opens doors for individuals with the desire and ability to shape the future of these vibrant communities. Through face-to-face meetings with city, county, and state leaders and on-site visits to local institutions, agencies, and organizations, participants explore the major issues and unique challenges facing the Simpsonville area.
Leadership Simpsonville is offered through the Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce for any interested individual who lives or works in Simpsonville (chamber membership required). Class sessions will be held on the 4th Wednesday of each month, beginning with a mandatory orientation session in January. Class sessions generally last all day (9am-5pm).
Leadership Simpsonville supports the development of corporate and community leaders by:
- Introducing participants to aspects of developing and maintaining a vibrant community,
- Establishing dialogue with a wide range of community leaders,
- Encouraging engagement in activities which contribute to the betterment of the community,
- Providing employers with a source of knowledgeable and trained leaders who will have a positive impact on the business community.
Participants are accepted into the program through an application process.
The selection committee looks for applicants who:
- Demonstrate a passion for their community as evidenced by active involvement,
- Possess a record of achievement in community and civic activities, indicating a desire to lead,
- Possess high standards of personal quality and integrity,
- Show a dedication to commit the time required for the program, and
- If employed, have the endorsement of their employers or some indication the employer would not object to their taking time from work to participate in the program.
2026 Class Schedule
- Application Deadline: Friday, December 19, 2025
- Tuition Due: Friday, January 9, 2026
- Monthly Class Sessions: Monthly sessions will be held on the fourth Wednesday of each month, beginning in January. Class sessions generally last all day (9am-5pm). The January session will serve as the Class Orientation and is strictly mandatory for all participants. Class members will be responsible for their own transportation on in-town days, but carpooling will be encouraged whenever possible.
- Monthly Class Session Dates: 1/28, 2/25, 3/25, 4/22, 5/27, 6/24, 7/22, 8/26, 9/23
- Graduation: A graduation reception will be held in October. The date will be shared with the class and community as soon as possible.
- Class Project: Time outside of the monthly class sessions will be required for completion of the group service project. More information about this project will be provided during Orientation.
Program Tuition - Tuition for Leadership Simpsonville is $950 and membership with the Simpsonville Chamber is required in order for applicant to be considered. Participants will be invoiced for tuition once accepted into the program. Tuition will be due by January 9, 2026 and is non-refundable once paid.
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Scholarships – Two scholarships covering half of tuition are available through the Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc. Applicants should submit their program application before submitting their scholarship application. The scholarship application is available online.
Class Requirements - The Leadership Simpsonville program requires participants to attend all monthly class sessions, attend a city or county council meeting, complete a ride-along with Simpsonville fire or police, and complete a class service project.
Applicants should download and review the full packet of LS information before applying.
