The Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN) has initiated the application process for the 2025 cohort of its Military Spouse Leadership Development Program (MSLDP), a pivotal initiative designed to empower military spouses with leadership skills. This program, generously presented by USAA, is set to benefit 50 military spouses by providing them with the tools necessary for making significant contributions to their communities. The expansion of the program to include a spring session in 2024, in addition to the traditional fall session, underscores the increasing demand for leadership development opportunities among military spouses.
Verenice Castillo, MSAN Founder and CEO, highlighted the program's role in empowering military spouses to emerge as community leaders, with USAA's support being instrumental in this endeavor. The MSLDP is accessible to spouses of currently serving U.S. military members across all branches, including Reserves and Guard, as well as post 9-11 Gold Star Spouses, Surviving Spouses, Caregivers, and spouses of Veterans or Retirees. This inclusivity ensures a wide range of military spouses can benefit from the program's offerings.
The MSLDP is a no-cost, global, virtual training program focusing on Leadership, Service, Advocacy, and Mentorship. Participants will undergo a four-month training regimen featuring instruction from esteemed institutions like Harvard University's National Preparedness Leadership Initiative and Psych Hub for Mental Health Ally Certification. The curriculum is enriched with insights from top military leaders, influential panel discussions, and professional communications training, culminating in participants receiving a Leadership Certificate from Harvard University and a mental health allyship certificate from Psych HUB.
This program is a cornerstone of the broader Leadership Institute for Military Spouses by MSAN, reflecting the organization's dedication to fostering strong military families through education, empowerment, and support. MSAN's comprehensive approach, including the Military Spouse Mentorship-HUB, aims to enhance morale, military retention, and community cohesion among military families. By equipping military spouses with leadership skills, MSAN is not only addressing a critical need within the military community but also paving the way for long-term benefits for service members and their families.
