The program is designed for passionate, self-directed individuals who have an interest both in social-organizational and personal transformation. Successful applicants are self-motivated, self-reflective, collaborative, and willing to challenge their own and societal assumptions about human possibilities.

Sunder Kaur Khalsa
I was seeking a master's degree that would allow me to explore my own self as a leader while learning both subtle people development and leadership skills in partnership with down to earth practical skills for excelling as a leader in the 21st century.  The philosophy of CIIS and the courses offered in the TLD program were a perfect fit. Since graduating with my master's I have applied my skills in innumerable ways.  Most clearly my skills have contributed significantly to my career development. I was able to directly apply my knowledge of the principles and practices of 21st century leadership both within the operations of my consulting company as well as with our clients. My education at CIIS contributed significantly to my quality of life.

Philip McAdoo
The TLD program is not just about reading the texts, or finding out more about who you are and what you can and want to do, or new ways of relating to people, or action in the world -- it’s about putting them all together and really embodying transformative leadership. I have been using the skills I learned in the TLD program. While I’ve been in the program, I’ve started a nonprofit organization called Teen2Teen. I’ve also worked and volunteered at East Side Community High School. I plan to co-design a program for young men based on Xpand, a mentor program I created that introduces inner-city boys to travel. I also traveled to Port Elizabeth, South Africa this past summer to work with the Ubuntu Education Fund.


Beth Powell
With a few years perspective, I'd describe the TLD program as a personally challenging, hands-on experimental lab where I learned how my beliefs and assumptions affect my effectiveness as a leader and how I can not only learn from but value challenging perspectives and situations. I designed my capstone project to create a solid career path, and it has continued to influence my choice of projects and employment. Most recently, I am consulting on a theatrical production of "Proof" in Livermore, California, and have been promoted as a co-director of a tutoring clinic where I create programs for students who have learning disabilities in math.

Tara Ryan
I am the VP of marketing for a global logistics and supply chain technology company where I am responsible for worldwide marketing efforts. The daily impact that my learning at CIIS has provided is pivotal, personally and professionally. The philosophy of the Transformative Leadership program at CIIS allows us to remain in our communities while we got to school and immediately apply what we have learned. This is a fundamental strength as the applications take on a real time approach. I can’t imagine my life without CIIS and know that I chose the best school, professors and classmates to continue with a life of learning and transformation.

Mark Austin Thomas
My name is Mark Austin Thomas. Currently I anchor the news for CBS Newsradio in Los Angeles, and occasionally, for the NPR affiliate in Southern California, KPCC. Previously, I've been the Cohost of “Marketplace Morning Report,” heard nationally on NPR stations. I've also been the Program Director for one talk station, and the News Director and Assistant Program Director at another, both also in Los Angeles. I was the Managing Editor for the “Tavis Smiley Show” when NPR carried it. I have also worked as a reporter, editor, and news anchor in the San Francisco area, Boston; and Knoxville, Tennessee.

I came to CIIS looking to find a community of people interested in trying to change or impact some of the social and political conversations taking place globally. I found an institution that welcomes and encourages its students to think differently in order to see the world differently and then become a powerful agent of change. While a student in the Transformational Leadership program, I discovered a love for Buddhism and have begun an attempt to see where and how I can marry this mindfulness and compassion with a new kind of political engagement that can reduce the suffering we all see and experience daily. I am deeply grateful for the friendships and learning experiences I enjoyed as a student, and I can only wish the same for all current and future students.

Sierra Webb
I was drawn to CIIS for two main reasons. First, I didn't want to commute anymore and the online aspect allowed me to remain living where I was while still attending a great graduate program. Secondly I wanted a humanities-based program that would somehow fuse together the various subjects I was interested in. I'm lucky that in my job I can use what I learned in the program, particularly the interpersonal and communication skills. I apply them daily in a municipal government. For my Capstone, I led an effort in my workplace to enact the Inclusive Communities Partnership in our Town and in our schools. The project I started continues.  I've also just recently been chosen to participate in the Rotary Group Study Exchange program for young professionals recognized for leadership in their vocations.