Engineering Leadership
Starts Here
The Gordon-MIT Engineering Leadership (GEL) Program empowers you with leadership, teamwork, and communication skills that make you more effective in your courses, capstones project teams, internships, and jobs after MIT.
Why Join GEL?
You came to MIT to solve the world’s toughest problems. But real-world engineering demands more than technical excellence. The Gordon-MIT Engineering Leadership (GEL) Program complements the world-class technical education you get at MIT with the values, attitudes, and skills you need to address real engineering problems and shape the world.
In GEL Year 1, you learn fundamentals of leadership theory in an engineering context. Engage in carefully crafted team experiential learning activities, actively practicing as members of and leaders of teams. With feedback and reflection, you gain confidence to lead projects, make decisions in ncertainty, and bring great ideas to fruition.
GEL’s passionate staff provides tailored support throughout your journey. You also receive direct coaching and performance feedback from seasoned second-year GEL students. By the end of GEL Year 1, you have the leadership, teamwork, and communication skills you need to be an effective engineer -- and make an impact.
If you continue in GEL Year 2, you further develop those capabilities as you assume key leadership and team coaching roles while collaborating with and being coached by instructional staff.
In addition to leadership skills, GEL gives you the opportunity to meet and bond with students outside your major and background, which strengthens your ability to work with and lead diverse teams. You become part of a caring community of students, staff, and growing GEL alumni network that has become a powerful resource for job opportunities and industry connections.
GEL 1 Program Requirements
To complete GEL Year 1 and earn the Certificate of Engineering Leadership, students must successfully complete three academic requirements.
The Engineering Leadership (EL) class introduces models, theories, and methods of engineering leadership based on a core set of Capabilities of Effective Engineering Leaders.
In the Engineering Leadership Lab (ELL), students practice those capabilities in an interactive, experiential, team-based environment.
The Design & Innovation Leadership Requirement (D&ILR) educates students in an end-to-end product or system design process that includes design validation and testing.
Students are expected to complete the D&ILR in the Fall 2026 semester by taking either Design-Thinking & Innovation Leadership for Engineers (6-units) or D-Lab Design for Scale (12-units).
By exception only, students with special circumstances may petition for approval to complete their D&ILR during IAP or the Spring 2027 semester.
If approved, students select one of four options:
IAP
1. D-PRO Engineering Design & Rapid Prototyping (6-units)
Spring 2027
2. D-Lab Design (12-units)
3. D-Lab Leadership in Design (6-units)
4. LP3 Leadership: People, Products, Projects (9-units)
GEL Fuels Success
NASA Astronaut Candidate
Adam Fuhrmann ’11
GEL Alum
Co-Founder, CEO, Nominal
Cameron McCord ‘13
GEL Alum
Forbes ‘25 “Next Billion-Dollar Startups
CEO and
Head of Product,
Rivet
Anj "Fayemz" Fayemi
Simran Pabla
GEL Alums
Senior Manager,
Falcon/Dragon
Sourcing, SpaceX
Elizabeth Sondecker ’11
GEL Alum
“GEL has given me the opportunity to tackle real engineering problems, make mistakes, get candid feedback, and hone my leadership skills.”
Vanessa Kitova ’21, Senior Manager
Analytical Engineering, Analytics & AI Enablement @ Bristol Myers Squibb
“One of the most important things I learned was how to make sound decisions in the face of uncertainty. This is critical in modern life and fast-paced work environments.”
S. Violet Killy ’20
Advanced Autonomy @ The Aerospace Corporation
“Engineering is a team sport, and you have to be able to effectively lead and work on teams to execute hard engineering problems.”
Evan Hostetler ’22, Aerodynamics Engineer
@ General Motorsration
How to Apply
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Early Application Deadline: March 8, 2026 (Sunday), 11:59 p.m.
Regular Application Deadline: April 12, 2026 (Sunday), 11:59 p.m.
Submitting an Early Action application enables you to receive an earlier admission decision. Applicants who apply later will be considered for a smaller pool of remaining seats.
INTERVIEW INFORMATION
Interviews are required and conducted on a rolling basis. At the end of the online application, you will be directed to our scheduling page to book an informal 30‑minute interview with a GEL staff member.
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