Expedition for Students in
Higher Education
A transformative expedition for students in higher education to explore leading.
The First Expedition in Higher Education
In June 2024, we launched our first expedition for women in Higher Education. It brought together 20 students from seven universities in the GBSN network.
Through the 4Es methodology, these women reflected, listened deeply, and connected on group Zoom calls; in small circles with remarkable WE Guides – women who generously share their insights and wisdom; and in moments of journaling and solitude.Â
These women emerge to be more confident, with a broader understanding of what leadership can and does look like, having developed their own unique approach to leading. And as a group, explorers formed lifelong friendships and connections.Â
The 2026/27 Expeditions
Following the first expedition, we expanded the opportunity to more higher education institutions beyond business schools and have since completed another expedition for women studying in Higher Education, with the third expedition underway.
We are offering two paths to join:
The Group Expedition
First from October 2026 – February 2027 and second from January 2027 – May 2027
- A five-month guided expedition, led by WE Founder Julia Middleton
- Open to 24 women globally (two from each partner institution)
- 5 hours a month of exploring: Zoom calls, reflection, listening, journaling, engaging with WE Guides and peers
- Open to students from any discipline
This isn’t a traditional leadership course. It’s an expedition to discover a personal approach to leading, supported by a community of women ready to share their lived experience.
WE Leadership Accelerator for Women Studying in Higher Education
October 2026 and again in January 2027
- A six-week online Leadership Accelerator.
- Up to 1000 women per cohort
- Four core modules, built around the WE 4Es methodology and illustrated through the insights and guidance of women in Higher Education
- Bi-weekly interactive sessions with WE Guides and global peers
This path is lighter in commitment but still rich in insight—ideal for universities wanting to engage more women in a meaningful, accessible way.
Our Partners
Why It Matters
For partner universities, this is a chance to invest in students’ leadership in a way that feels real, relevant, and lasting.Â
The Explorers joining the expedition and the leadership accelerators don’t just walk away with a certificate; they emerge with something far more lasting:
A personal approach to leading​
Tools to lead confidently and lead more in their communities and roles​
Access to a global community of women leading across generations, abilities, aspirations, backgrounds, beliefs, sectors and specialisms
Hear from Our Partners and Fellows
My opportunity to serve as a Guide during the 2024/5 inaugural Women Emerging Expedition for Women in Higher Education was the highlight of my professional career last year. To engage with these vibrant, smart, innovative, purpose driven young women from across the globe caused me to reflect deeply so that I might offer a few crumbs of wisdom from experience. I will continue the journey with Women Emerging as they create space for women to more fully become the leaders they were meant to be. Few things are more important than that.
- Arminda KamphausenÂ
DirectorÂ
School of BusinessÂ
University of ConnecticutÂ
This expedition empowered participants to redefine leadership on their own terms, enabling them to create meaningful impact within their organizations and the communities they serve. By investing in these learners today, we are investing in a more balanced & representative leadership landscape for tomorrow.Â
- Vijay TandonÂ
Dean – InternationalizationÂ
Universal AI InstituteÂ
IndiaÂ
The Women Emerging expedition was not your traditional leadership programme. Rather than learning how to adhere to the status quo for leaders, the expedition empowered me to find my own approach to leading that worked for me as a young woman. The opportunity to engage in this discovery with other women from around the world was simply priceless.
- Abigail Hancox
Student - Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Â
The expedition gave me permission to be my whole self. Through our conversations about Essence, Elements, Expression, and Energy, I began to understand that my so-called weaknesses weren’t flaws to hide. They were actually a part of what makes my leadership unique.
I realised that leadership isn’t about always having the answers or fitting into a certain mould. It’s about knowing who you are at your core, and letting that Essence show up in your own way, sometimes strong and assertive, sometimes calm and observant.
Instead of fighting fear, I learned to transform it into courage. That shift changed the way I lead and the way I see myself.
- Shurti Singh
Student
Universal Ai University
My opportunity to serve as a Guide during the 2024/5 inaugural Women Emerging Expedition for Women in Higher Education was the highlight of my professional career last year. To engage with these vibrant, smart, innovative, purpose driven young women from across the globe caused me to reflect deeply so that I might offer a few crumbs of wisdom from experience. I will continue the journey with Women Emerging as they create space for women to more fully become the leaders they were meant to be. Few things are more important than that.
- Arminda KamphausenÂ
DirectorÂ
School of BusinessÂ
University of ConnecticutÂ
This expedition empowered participants to redefine leadership on their own terms, enabling them to create meaningful impact within their organizations and the communities they serve. By investing in these learners today, we are investing in a more balanced & representative leadership landscape for tomorrow.Â
- Vijay TandonÂ
Dean – InternationalizationÂ
Universal AI InstituteÂ
India
The expedition gave me permission to be my whole self. Through our conversations about Essence, Elements, Expression, and Energy, I began to understand that my so-called weaknesses weren’t flaws to hide. They were actually a part of what makes my leadership unique.
Â
I realised that leadership isn’t about always having the answers or fitting into a certain mould. It’s about knowing who you are at your core, and letting that Essence show up in your own way, sometimes strong and assertive, sometimes calm and observant.
Â
Instead of fighting fear, I learned to transform it into courage. That shift changed the way I lead and the way I see myself.
- Shurti Singh
Student
Universal Ai University
My opportunity to serve as a Guide during the 2024/5 inaugural Women Emerging Expedition for Women in Higher Education was the highlight of my professional career last year. To engage with these vibrant, smart, innovative, purpose driven young women from across the globe caused me to reflect deeply so that I might offer a few crumbs of wisdom from experience. I will continue the journey with Women Emerging as they create space for women to more fully become the leaders they were meant to be. Few things are more important than that.
- Arminda KamphausenÂ
DirectorÂ
School of BusinessÂ
University of ConnecticutÂ
This expedition empowered participants to redefine leadership on their own terms, enabling them to create meaningful impact within their organizations and the communities they serve. By investing in these learners today, we are investing in a more balanced & representative leadership landscape for tomorrow.Â
- Vijay TandonÂ
Dean – InternationalizationÂ
Universal AI InstituteÂ
IndiaÂ
The expedition gave me permission to be my whole self. Through our conversations about Essence, Elements, Expression, and Energy, I began to understand that my so-called weaknesses weren’t flaws to hide. They were actually a part of what makes my leadership unique.
Â
I realised that leadership isn’t about always having the answers or fitting into a certain mould. It’s about knowing who you are at your core, and letting that Essence show up in your own way, sometimes strong and assertive, sometimes calm and observant.
Â
Instead of fighting fear, I learned to transform it into courage. That shift changed the way I lead and the way I see myself.
- Shurti Singh
Student
Universal Ai UniversityÂ
Impact Report
This impact report covers the outcomes from the first Women Emerging Higher Education Expedition.
Hear from Our Partners
Join us as we reframe leading for women in Higher Education
Expeditions
An invitation to be a part of the global shift in leadership and influence generations to come.
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