Catawba Launches Social Impact Leadership Program
The inaugural Leadership Development Program for Social Impact class began Oct. 14, with a capstone showcase set for Feb. 10, 2027.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Catawba College's Ketner School of Business and Rowan County United Way launched the inaugural Leadership Development Program for Social Impact class, which brings together emerging leaders from nonprofit, business, education, healthcare, government and community sectors. The program includes in-person and virtual sessions and concludes with a capstone showcase.
Why it matters
The program connects education with real-world community challenges to develop solutions intended to make a lasting difference in Salisbury and Rowan County. It also builds cross-sector leadership capacity among participants working in the area's nonprofit and public organizations.
The inaugural Leadership Development Program for Social Impact class began Oct. 14, 2026, with a capstone showcase scheduled for Feb. 10, 2027. Participant count and the specific projects to be presented were not disclosed.
The players
Catawba College's Ketner School of Business
The business school at Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina, which presents the program in partnership with Rowan County United Way.
Rowan County United Way
A local nonprofit that partners with Catawba College's Ketner School of Business to deliver the leadership program for social impact.
The details
Participants learn from experienced educators, nonprofit executives and community leaders while developing skills in strategic leadership, social entrepreneurship, community innovation, impact measurement and cross-sector collaboration. The program is presented by Catawba College's Ketner School of Business in partnership with Rowan County United Way and combines in-person and virtual sessions.
Timeline
Oct. 14, 2026: Inaugural Leadership Development Program for Social Impact class begins.
Feb. 10, 2027: Program concludes with a capstone showcase.
Community Leadership Pipeline
The program extends Rowan County United Way's model of pairing community nonprofit work with local academic partners, adding a structured training track for emerging social impact leaders. It places the initiative within a Salisbury-area effort to build leadership capacity across the nonprofit and public sectors.
Community members interested in social impact leadership can follow the program's progress through the capstone showcase scheduled for Feb. 10, 2027. The program includes both in-person and virtual sessions, offering different ways for participants to engage.
The takeaway
Local leaders interested in building cross-sector skills can look to structured programs like this one as a way to connect with community challenges. Participation in initiatives that blend education with nonprofit work offers a practical path toward sustainable community impact.
What happens next
The program concludes with a capstone showcase on Feb. 10, 2027, where participants will present ideas and strategies for sustainable social impact.
Further reading
For more local business launches and program openings, browse Openings & Closings in Salisbury.
More information
Learn more about the Leadership Development Program for Social Impact on The HUB's official website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Salisbury Post.
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