Township officials can apply now to take part in two programs through Michigan State University's Great Lakes Leadership Academy, which aims to help develop the next generation of community leaders. The Emerging Leadership Program is designed to meet the development needs of those individuals early in their leadership journey who are interested in their community and in Michigan's food system, agriculture, natural resources, environmental business and manufacturing sectors. In the Leadership Advancement Program, participants learn from leaders in the public and private sectors who have been social change agents on the local, regional and state levels. Partial scholarships are available for both programs. Applications are due Sept. 1.