Phis from across North America to gather in Oxford for the 2023 Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute
Phi Delta Theta is thrilled to welcome over 1,000 Phis from across the United States and Canada to the Fraternity’s birthplace, Oxford, Ohio, for the 2023 Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute. Kleberg, named for benefactors Tio and Janell Kleberg, is a cornerstone of Phi Delta Theta’s membership development program, The Pursuit of Greatness. Designed for young members of the Fraternity who aspire to one day lead their chapter, Kleberg is an amazing opportunity for members to learn more about Phi Delta Theta beyond the borders of their campus, develop relations with brothers from across the organization, and build the skills necessary to become a better leader and Phi.
Over three days, attendees have the opportunity to listen to world class speakers, attend educational sessions about important topics, and participate in small group discussions with other undergraduate brothers led by Phi Delt volunteers. The Kleberg experience builds on what one has learned during his time in the Fraternity while preparing him for more prominent leadership roles within the chapter. For example, over 40% of Phis who attend Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute go on to become the president of their chapter.
In addition to the traditional emerging leaders’ track, the 2023 Kleberg will once again include a special track focused on the chaplain role. The General Council has identified the chaplain as the chapter officer responsible for promoting diversity and inclusion, and mental well-being within the chapter. This unique experience will expose chaplains to information, skills, and strategies to help them better execute their roles during the upcoming school year.
Registration opened on March 1, 2023.
Chapters should register a minimum of four delegates to attend Kleberg. Three for the standard Kleberg track and one for the chaplain’s track.
Registration will be in myPhiDelt (Event Registration in top navigation bar). Chapters will be awarded points as part of Milestone 6 of the Chapter Accreditation Program if registered by the May 1, 2023 deadline. Registration will close on July 15, 2023. Once registered, an email will be sent with additional information. All questions regarding Kleberg registration can be sent to Renée Crist Lefter.
When registering via myPhiDelt, please remember to indicate your delegate type:
- Total delegates: Each chapter must register four delegates. This includes three delegates for the Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute and one delegate for the chaplain’s track.
- Undergraduate Kleberg delegates: Chapters must register three delegates for the Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute, per the Chapter Minimum Chapter Expectations and Standards. These registrations are free of charge. Failure to meet the minimum expectations for delegate attendees at Kleberg could result in a $1,000 fine charged to the chapter.
- Chaplain delegate: Chapters must register one delegate for the chaplain’s track, as part of the per the Chapter Minimum Chapter Expectations and Standards stated above. These registrations are also free of charge. This track will focus on building skills and strategies to promote diversity and inclusion and mental health and wellness within your chapter. Chapters can register one attendee for free.
After the registration deadline of May 1, the following fees apply to late registrations:
- Late registration fee (beginning May 15) = $25
- Late registration fee (beginning July 1) = $50
- Delegate change fee (beginning July 1) = $25
The Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute will take place from July 29–August 1, 2023, in Oxford, Ohio. Attendees should plan to arrive by mid-day Saturday and leave Tuesday morning.
View the draft schedule
As an extension of Kleberg, and in partnership with Sonoma State University, we are offering an experiential course that allows you the opportunity to not only apply what you’ve learned to improve your chapter, but to earn four units of transferable credit for your Fraternity experience! This course can be a part of your regular course load, not something “extra” you do on top of your existing classes, and can be funded through existing scholarships or financial aid. Simply contact your school’s registrar for additional information and details. For more information about the course itself, view the syllabus.
This applied leadership course, which gives you a leg up when looking for internships or searching for a job, is offered to Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute attendees. For more information on how to attend Kleberg, free of cost, as one of your chapter’s delegates, reach out to your chapter president.
The General Council and Education Committee have set the following expectations for the Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute:
- All participants should come prepared to learn, have fun, and take their Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute experience back to their chapter.
- Per the Minimum Chapter Expectations and Standards policy, each chapter is required to send three delegates to the Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute and one delegate to the chaplain’s track. Failure to do so could result in a $1,000 fine for the chapter.
- Kleberg is a substance-free event. Therefore, participants must refrain from using alcohol or drugs while in Oxford. Any brother not meeting this expectation will be asked to leave the conference, and his chapter will receive a $1,000 fine.
- Additional delegates may register for the standard Kleberg track at $350 per delegate.
- Attire for the conference is casual (polos, shorts, khakis). Please bring athletic apparel for Iron Phi Sports and a shirt with your school’s logo for the large-group picture.
Those who have attended Kleberg in the past know that an important factor in a student’s experience is their small-group chapter leader. The Fraternity is always in need of effective facilitators who can guide its members through specific learning objectives within the conference’s curriculum.
If you are interested in serving the Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute as a faculty member, we encourage you to fill out the online faculty application before the May 1, 2023 midnight deadline. Final faculty selections are made in early May. The Fraternity covers the travel and lodging expenses of Kleberg faculty members.
Faculty should plan to arrive the afternoon/evening of Friday, July 28, 2023, as faculty orientation will begin Saturday morning.
How to apply:
- Members of Phi Delta Theta – Complete the application in myPhiDelt (Event Registration)
- Not a Phi Delt? Complete this application.
Through the generosity of Clay and Debbie Jones, Phi Delta Theta will welcome a new cohort of peer mentors to this year’s Kleberg. The peer mentor program focuses on enhancing existing leadership skills in group facilitation, problem-solving, and communication. Peer mentors will also be exposed to several different areas and initiatives within Phi Delta Theta through interaction with senior staff members and members of the General Council.
Each peer mentor is paired with a faculty member and becomes an integral part of their respective Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute chapter. They guide participants through the programing and assist the lead faculty member in facilitating the chapter meeting curriculum. Each peer mentor also helps the GHQ staff execute various aspects of the conference. This experience allows the peer mentor an opportunity to peek behind the Kleberg curtain to see the amount of teamwork it takes to put on an event of this scale.
Peer mentors also participate in special educational sessions. These sessions include discussions and presentations on vital topics to Phi Delta Theta and the entire interfraternal world. Ultimately, peer mentors return to their home chapters with a better appreciation for Phi Delta Theta and new leadership insight to improve their chapters.
To qualify as a candidate as a peer mentor, a brother must meet all the following criteria:
- He must have an anticipated graduation year of 2024 or 2025.
- He must have previous chapter or campus leadership experience.
- He must be able to attend the entire conference (July 28–August 1, 2023).
- He should have a desire to give back to the Fraternity after graduation as a staff member, live-in leadership adviser, or volunteer.
- He must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Peer mentors should plan to arrive in the morning/early afternoon of Friday, July 28, 2023, as programming will begin Friday evening. The Fraternity covers all the travel and lodging costs for peer mentors.
You can apply to be a peer mentor through myPhiDelt (Event Registration in top navigation bar). The application deadline is May 1, 2023, at midnight. Final selections will be made in May.
Please plan to arrive in Oxford by mid-day on Saturday, July 29, 2023, and leave the morning of Tuesday, August 1, 2023.
Are you driving?
If you will be driving to Oxford, report to Hillcrest Hall (301 Western College Dr., Oxford, OH 45056) on the Miami University campus to register and check in to your room. Please fill out our parking permit form.
Are you flying?
All Kleberg delegate flights should arrive at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). When you arrive at CVG on Saturday, July 29, please gather your bags and head to zone 5 of the ground transportation east terminal. A staff member will be standing near the baggage claim area to help direct you. View the schedule below to determine which bus is appropriate to take given your arrival time. Please note that you may have a wait time based on when your flight arrives.
- Bus #1 – 9:00 a.m.
- Bus #2 – 11:00 a.m.
- Bus #3 – 12:30 p.m.
- Bus #4 – 1:30 p.m.
- Bus #5 – 3:00 p.m.
- Bus #6 – 4:00 p.m.
Complete this form if the times listed above do not meet your transportation needs and you need to schedule an alternative pickup time with our transportation team. Please put Jim Rosencrans’ phone number (570) 239-4848 in your phone if you are flying and need assistance the day of travel. He will be leading our transportation program and can answer any questions you may have prior to the conference or the day of arrival.
Phi Delta Theta’s shuttles will only go to and from CVG. If you are arriving or departing elsewhere, you will need to find transportation to and from Oxford.
On Tuesday, August 1, scheduled bus runs will take Kleberg delegates and peer mentors back to the airport.
Travel Reimbursements
The General Fraternity offers one allowance (round-trip to and from the chapter location to Oxford) per each chapter that sends at least the required four delegates to the summer conference.
Chapters outside a 650-mile radius of Oxford, Ohio will receive a reimbursement rate of $.20 per mile. Those chapters within the 650-mile radius will receive $.10 per mile. Chapter Endowment Funds with the Foundation. Delegates from those chapters will learn more about this assistance upon registering on-site at Kleberg.
Lodging
The Fraternity provides lodging while in Oxford. Each delegate will stay in a double room with a Phi from another chapter. Delegates needing to arrive a day early because of travel arrangements will be charged $45. Any additional travel cost will be the delegate’s responsibility (s).