Application Process
SMU Taos Leadership Institute will be accepting applications for the 2026 July Term in Fall 2025. The SMU Taos Leadership Institute is an application based program at SMU Taos, not all applicants are guaranteed admission.
To apply you will need:
- Professional Resume: Please detail your prior and current work history, campus involvement, accomplishments, and other demonstrated leadership experiences
- Letter of Recommendation
- Answers to the 4 short answer questions in 400 words or less EACH
Short Answer Questions for 2026
1) The SMU Taos Leadership Institute values diversity of thought and experience. To help us better understand who you are, please tell us more about yourself and why you would like to be a part of the SMU Taos Leadership Institute.
2) The SMU Taos Leadership Institute is a focused leadership retreat program designed to build personal, intellectual, and professional development through a unique and specialized curriculum and a cohort team-building experience. Please describe how the SMU Taos Leadership Institute can help you achieve your professional goals and aspirations.
3) The common theme of the 2026 SMU Taos Leadership Institute is Personal Values & Ethics in which the courses and interdisciplinary activities are centered. Please describe what this theme means to you and why you are interested in learning about it.
4) What leadership-related groups are you apart of on or off campus?
All applications will be evaluated by a committee representing each school at SMU. Those who are accepted will receive an acceptance email and letter. Please do not plan travel or book trips to Taos until you have been accepted to the leadership institute.