Program Snapshot

Core Experience 

The King Global Leadership Program (KGLP) offers a wide range of events, most of which take place over breakfast, lunch, or dinner to accommodate scholars' busy academic schedules. Scholars choose to participate at different levels depending upon the requirements throughout their degree programs.

Storytelling - First-year scholars gather weekly to learn and practice important communication skills while learning about each other.

Leading Yourself - Second-year scholars gather weekly to work with facilitators to develop behaviors and reinforce traits in the KHS Leadership Model.

Electives - A variety of lectures and workshops focus on a quarterly theme, such as the future of education, leading a fulfilling life, the impact of emerging technology, and governance around the world. Examples of electives include Curiosity Corner, where faculty and community leaders share their expertise in interactive sessions, and McMurtry Leadership Lecture, a quarterly keynote lecture engaging the community to consider different perspectives. Past guest speakers include philanthropist Melinda French Gates, author Isabelle Wilkerson, economist Raj Chetty, Nobel Laureate Frances Arnold, former Secretary of State George Shultz, and astronaut Ellen Ochoa.

Scholars present their KHeystone Project.
Scholars present their KHeystone Project.
Scholars on a boat holding a Knight-Hennessy Scholars flag with a glacier and mountains in the background
Scholars on a Global Travel/Study Trip to Alaska in 2024.
Scholars listening to speakers on stage at retreat
Former Mayor of Stockton Michael Tubbs at the Autumn Retreat.

KHeystone Projects 

During autumn quarter, scholars pitch ideas for a KHeystone Project at the annual Ideas Festival. During the year, the KHS team identifies potential mentors and provides workshops to help teams develop their ideas. Past projects have addressed issues such as education inequity, climate change, healthcare access, homelessness, and criminal justice reform. Some projects continue for multiple years. More about KHeystone Projects.

Curiosity Corner 

KHS invites experts from across campus and the community to share their experiences and knowledge with the scholars. These sessions, designed to provide exposure to a breadth of disciplines, include a short talk followed by a prompt for scholars to discuss. Examples include a robotics expert challenging scholars to think about how robots will change our lives; a bioethicist challenging scholars to consider the consequences of gene editing; and an educator asking scholars to consider the role of schools in addressing economic inequality.

Global Travel/Study

Scholars receive exposure to different cultures through the KHS Global Travel/Study program. Stanford faculty lead and curate one-week long trips that take place after classes end in June, before classes begin in September, and over the December break. Each scholar may take one global trip during their time in the program. Examples of past destinations include Berlin, Costa Rica, Norway, South Africa, Jordan, and Turkey.

Scholar-Driven Events

Scholar-Driven Events are created by scholars for scholars to build community, learn from one another, and explore leadership together. Examples include Deep Dive, where one scholar interviews another in an intimate fireside chat about their life journey to bring the community together; KH Geographic, where scholars share meaningful stories and memories about their home countries, highlighting the community; and panel discussions on topical issues, such as criminal justice reform, the impact of climate change, and mental health support. 

Retreats 

KHS hosts local weekend retreats each quarter, offering scholars space to build community and learn from one another as they attend workshops where they learn and practice leadership skills.

 

Many scholars sitting at different tables smiling and laughing as they listen to a speaker at Town Hall
Current scholars gather for quarterly Town Halls to hear announcements and updates to the scholar experience.
Michael Specter leads a session on journalism and technology.
Michael Specter leads a session on journalism and technology.
Jeanne Gang speaking to scholars
Jeanne Gang speaks about actionable idealism in architecture.
Nick Cave discusses creation as a means of expression and healing and emphasizes the need for change.
Nick Cave discusses creation as a means of expression and healing and emphasizes the need for change.
Ellen Ochoa talking to scholars
Ellen Ochoa shares her experiences in space.
Elbegdorj Tsakhia discusses the interplay between the Mongols' nomadic way of life and key concepts of democracy.
Elbegdorj Tsakhia discusses the interplay between the Mongols' nomadic way of life and key concepts of democracy.
Rob Reich speaks to scholars about effective altruism and its involvement in humanity's morals.
Rob Reich speaks to scholars about effective altruism and its involvement in humanity's morals.
A scholar looking at guest speaker Seraphine Munroe while she holds the mic and talks to the audience
Scholars collaborate with the KHS team to invite guest speakers, such as Arlinda Locklear and Seraphine Munroe, who discussed Indigenous leadership.
Anna Lempke speaking to three scholars in front of the Pregnant Mountains art piece
Anna Lempke discusses compulsive consumption and its impact.
Frances Arnold screen talking to scholars.
Frances Arnold shares her work in bioengineering that pioneered the use of directed evolution to design new enzymes.
Malala poses with scholars after sharing her story and courageous work to ensure young women have access to education.
Malala poses with scholars after sharing her story and courageous work to ensure young women have access to education.
William Perry talks with scholar.
William Perry shares his experiences as former US secretary of defense.
a group of scholar sitting around a table at Denning House dining room.
Scholars discuss their KHeystone projects.
a group of Asian scholars taking a group photo holding traditional red envelopes to celebrate Lunar New Year
Scholars host events for the KHS community, such as this Lunar New Year celebration.
Scholars at dining table in Denning House.
Scholars gather at the annual Friendsgiving dinner.