The program began when former governor and then-president of the North Carolina Community College System, Bob Scott, requested a program to develop leadership skills for the state’s community college employees. Scott was also interested in increasing the leadership skills of women and minorities who served in leadership positions across the state. Therefore, they requested the assistance of the North Carolina chapter of the American Association of Women in Junior and Community Colleges to help develop this ground-breaking program. The organization developed a curriculum intended to enhance the leadership skills of employees at all levels of a college.

Funding for this new program came from the state community college system. After just a few years, the program directors realized that it must become self-sustaining to survive. Supported by participant registration fees and projects, the directors of the program come from alumni who must apply for directors and co-director positions. The program typically runs from October through May each year and includes intensive two-day retreats.