• Must have been a member of NACADA for at least two years when the program begins each October, and be a current member at the time of application
• Must agree to a two-year obligation as a Mentor and secure institutional support to be a part of the program
• Must be either a current or past NACADA Leader. This can be at the state, regional, or national level; in an elected or appointed positions; as chair or member of a committee, advisory board, or task force; chair or member of a regional or commission/interest group steering committee.
• Must be willing to provide guidance and support for assigned Emerging Leader in the creation of a written plan
• Must agree to provide feedback on Emerging Leader's monthly progress report
• Must be willing and able to attend at least one state, regional, or national conference, at Mentor's expense, and meet with Emerging Leader. Applicants for the 2010-2012 Class must be able to attend the 2010 Annual Conference in Orlando, FL on Oct 3-6, and will NOT be able to be involved in morning pre-conference workshops. (ELP Orientation will begin the morning of Oct 3rd.)
• Must be willing to attend gatherings at regional or national conferences to meet others in the program
• Must agree to participate in mid-year and end of year evaluations with Emerging Leader
• Must agree to conduct evaluation of Emerging Leader and program at the end of each year and report those evaluations to NACADA
• Must be willing to assist Emerging Leader with production of a presentation, article, or some other form of communication on participant's experience in the program

"I chose to apply to the Emerging Leaders Program as a Mentor to give back to someone else. I have been fortunate enough to have numerous mentors in my life that have positively impacted my professional development... Mentoring always seems to me to be a fluid experience. As we mentor our students, staff, colleagues, so too do they mentor us. In some instances the differences in experience can be so marked as to ensure that the flow of information and support is in one direction, but I believe that individuals open to the mentoring process will find out that they can learn from their leaders. The act of mentoring causes us to stop and take stock of our own values, the paths we choose, and what we still have to learn." - Karen Sullivan-Vance, Western Oregon University, 2007-2009 Class