Applications Open Through August 31 • Orientation September 12
Visionaries Leadership Academy 2026–27

Before You Lead Others,
Learn to Lead Yourself.

Visionaries Leadership Academy is a nine-month, Qur’an-centered leadership journey with Imam Isa ibn Matta. Across three connected parts, you will strengthen your inner life, learn to serve people and communities, and turn a meaningful vision into action.

Lead Yourself
Islamic Psychology & Self-Care
→
Lead People & Communities
State of the Ummah, Project & Program Development, and Public Speaking
→
Lead the Future: Turn Vision Into Action
Prophetic Leadership, Capstone & Legacy Building

With Imam Isa ibn Matta · The Preservers

Online · Sept 12, 2026 – May 30, 2027 Sundays 7:00–9:00am CT / 8:00–10:00am ET Tuesdays 7:30–9:00pm CT / 8:30–10:00pm ET Graduation: June 19, 2027
Apply for the Full VLA Journey See the Curriculum

One application. Three connected parts. Scholarships available.

110Graduates
9Month Journey
2Live Sessions Weekly
3Connected Parts
1Applied Capstone

“Say, O Prophet, ‘This is my way. I invite to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me. Glory be to Allah, and I am not one of the polytheists.’”

Qur'an 12:108
Why VLA

Leadership Begins Within

Many Muslims care deeply about the Ummah and want to contribute, but good intentions alone do not prepare us to manage our inner lives, understand the needs around us, communicate effectively, or build something that lasts.

VLA develops these capacities in order. You begin by learning to lead yourself. You then learn to serve people and communities. Finally, you apply what you have learned through Prophetic leadership and a real capstone project.

You cannot sustainably carry people, projects, or communities without first learning to carry yourself.

Curriculum

Three Connected Parts

One nine-month journey, built in order - from the inner life, to service, to applied leadership.

Part One September 13 – November 22

Leading Yourself

Islamic Psychology & Self-Care

Leadership begins with responsibility for your own heart, habits, emotions, worship, relationships, and choices. Through an Islamic understanding of the inner life, you will learn to care for yourself as an amānah and develop the personal stability required to carry greater responsibility.

Students Will Explore
  • The heart, nafs, thoughts, and emotions
  • Happiness, stress, negativity, and internal struggles
  • Self-care as stewardship rather than self-indulgence
  • Worship, habits, time, and personal discipline
  • Communication, relationships, and emotional awareness
  • Building a personal leadership and growth plan
Part One Outcome

A personal leadership plan identifying the habits, patterns, responsibilities, and areas of growth that will shape the rest of the VLA journey.

Note: Part One is the foundation of VLA, not a standalone registration. Students apply once for the complete nine-month academy.
Part Two December 6 – February 21

Leading People & Communities

State of the Ummah, Public Speaking, Projects & Program Development

After developing the inner foundation, students turn outward. You will study the forces shaping Muslim thought and community life, identify meaningful needs, communicate with purpose, and learn how to design programs and projects that serve people effectively.

Students Will Learn To
  • Understand challenges affecting the Muslim Ummah
  • Analyze community needs rather than merely assume them
  • Communicate ideas with confidence and responsibility
  • Develop and deliver public presentations
  • Design meaningful programs and projects
  • Build and pitch a capstone proposal
Part Two Outcome

A researched community need, proposed response, program plan, and public capstone pitch.

Part Three March 14 – May 30

Lead the Future: Vision Into Action

Prophetic Leadership, Capstone Execution & Legacy Building

Vision is not complete until it becomes service. Students will study leadership through the Prophetic example, implement their capstone projects, navigate real obstacles, and build something capable of continuing beyond a single moment.

Students Will Learn To
  • Study Prophetic approaches to leadership and service
  • Lead people with trust, character, and accountability
  • Move from ideas into organized execution
  • Navigate setbacks, feedback, and changing circumstances
  • Measure the effect of their work
  • Build for continuity and long-term benefit
Part Three Outcome

A completed capstone, final presentation, impact reflection, and legacy plan.

VLA Graduation · June 19, 2027

Your Instructor

Imam Isa ibn Matta

Imam Isa ibn Matta
Imam Isa ibn Matta
Co-Founder · Director · Lead Instructor, The Preservers
Qur'an & Tajweed Tafsir Aqeedah Psychology Da'wah

Imam Isa ibn Matta is dedicated to serving the community through education, youth work, and da'wah. He grew up in Kentucky, went to Christian Seminary School, and served as a Youth Minister for years until, through the bounty of Allah, he embraced Islam in 2013.

Since then he has had the honor to study with over a dozen Shuyukh, from the University of Madinah, Azhar University, Morocco, Pakistan, India, and Palestine. He has completed ijaazaat in the Holy Qur'an, Arabic, Qira'aat, Tafsir, History, Aqeedah, and Tajweed.

His secular studies include Psychology, Philosophy, Communications, English, Arts, Project Management Professionalism, and certifications in Mental Health. Imam Isa strives to make Islam practical and accessible for people of all ages.

The Learning Model

How You Will Learn

Learn. Discuss. Practice. Build.

VLA meets twice each week for a dynamic blend of Islamic instruction, meaningful discussion, leadership exercises, workshops, public-speaking practice, peer feedback, and project development.

The format of each session will vary based on the topic and stage of the academy, allowing students to move naturally between learning foundational concepts, reflecting with their cohort, developing practical skills, and building their capstone projects.

Weekly

Sunday Mornings

7:00–9:00 AM CT · Live instruction and cohort discussion.

Weekly

Tuesday Evenings

7:30–9:00 PM CT · Applied practice, workshops, and skill-building.

Monthly

Connect

Alumni-led sessions introduce students to real experiences, community challenges, practical workshops, panels, and mentorship.

Between Classes

Engage

Structured discussion boards help students process and apply lessons.

Throughout the Year

Build

Each part contributes to a capstone project that moves students from personal growth to community action.

Both weekly sessions are part of the complete VLA learning experience.

What You'll Receive

What Your VLA Experience Includes

The Complete Three-Part Academy

A connected journey from self-leadership to community service and capstone implementation.

A Dynamic Weekly Learning Experience

VLA combines live teaching, guided discussion, practical workshops, peer learning, and project development across two weekly sessions, shaped around the curriculum and your stage of the journey.

Learning Portal

Recordings, resources, assignments, and structured discussion boards in one place.

Cohort Community

Separate brothers' and sisters' groups for connection, encouragement, and informal engagement, plus a dedicated announcements channel.

Peer Student Coordinators

Selected students help strengthen cohort relationships, coordinate notes, encourage participation, and check on classmates who become disengaged.

Alumni Integration

Monthly opportunities to learn from VLA graduates through workshops, panels, discussions, case studies, and mentorship.

Capstone Coaching & Graduation

Support in developing and implementing a meaningful project, culminating in the June graduation.

Portal Access

Recordings and resources remain available to support your ongoing participation and review.

Is This Program for You?

VLA Is for Muslims Who…

  • ✓Care about the condition of the Ummah and want to contribute meaningfully
  • ✓Are already leading, assisting others, or preparing for greater responsibility
  • ✓Want Islam to shape how they live, communicate, decide, and serve
  • ✓Have ideas but need help turning them into organized action
  • ✓Recognize that leadership begins with personal growth and accountability
  • ✓Are prepared to participate live, engage classmates, and complete a capstone

You do not need a formal leadership title. Leadership may begin in your personal life, family, campus, workplace, masjid, organization, or community.

VLA is a live formation journey, not a passive lecture series or self-paced content library.

Transformed Lives

How Visionaries Changed Graduates

Leading Yourself

It didn't take long to realize this class was the answer and hope to my needs, not just in aspects of leadership, but also as a Muslimah, daughter, sister, student, and every role I play.

Noor · '22 Graduate

After Visionaries, I knew more of what it really meant to call myself a Muslim and how to act on it.

Shaania · '22 Graduate
Leading People

These classes have completely transformed the way I perceive youth work & leadership.

Zohair · '22 Graduate

VLA isn't just a course that I took, it is the core framework I needed so that I can approach all my endeavors through 'tawheed coloured lenses'.

Abdullah · '23 Graduate
Turning Vision Into Action

VLA causes you to think structurally about your life and take step by step procedures in order to attain that end goal you've set.

Yusuf · '23 Graduate
Cohort & Ṣuḥbah

The companionship of others who not only took me in but treated me as family was very impactful overall on my iman.

Musa · '22 Graduate
How to Join

Apply Once for the Complete Journey

1

Apply Online

Tell us about your background, goals, current commitments, and why you are ready for the full VLA journey.

Deadline: August 31, 2026

2

Application Review

Hear back in 2–3 weeks. Our team carefully reviews each application. You'll receive an email with your status and next steps.

3

Register & Prepare

Once accepted, complete registration, select a payment option, review the Student Handbook, and attend orientation on September 12.

Tuition

$1,000
Pay in Full
$125 × 9
Monthly Payment Plan
Apply Now →

Tuition covers all three parts of VLA, the capstone experience, and student resources. The payment plan is an installment option for the complete academy.

Need Financial Aid? Scholarships are available, because finances should never be a barrier to growth. Indicate your interest in the application.

Book a Call with Our Student Success Director →
Applications Open Through August 31

I Want To Inspire
Those Around Me

Let's begin this journey.

Lead with insight, sincerity, and purpose; the way the Prophet ﷺ led.

One application. Three connected parts. Scholarships available.

Apply for the Full VLA Journey
Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enroll only in Part One?

No. Applications are for the complete VLA journey. Part One is highlighted because self-leadership is the foundation of everything that follows, but students are admitted into all three connected parts.

Are both weekly sessions required?

Yes. VLA meets live on Sunday mornings and Tuesday evenings, and both sessions are part of the complete academy experience. Each session may include a different blend of instruction, discussion, practical exercises, workshops, peer learning, public-speaking development, and project work depending on the topic and stage of the program. Unless a session is specifically marked as optional on the academic calendar, students are expected to attend both.

What happens after each part?

Each part concludes with a meaningful deliverable, student progress review, and scheduled break. Students in good standing continue into the next part without reapplying.

What happens if I miss class?

Live participation is central to VLA. Recordings support students when an approved absence occurs, but they do not replace ongoing attendance and engagement. Complete expectations are provided in the Student Handbook.

Is Part One therapy or mental-health treatment?

No. VLA is an educational and spiritual leadership program. Islamic Psychology and Self-Care explore the inner life through Islamic teachings and practical personal development; they do not replace clinical mental-health treatment.

Do I need prior Islamic studies?

There are no formal prerequisites. Students with little or no prior Islamic-study experience may be encouraged to begin with Seekers Path before entering VLA.

Is VLA only for current organization leaders?

No. VLA is for those already leading, supporting an effort, preparing to lead, or seeking to take greater responsibility in their personal, family, professional, campus, or community life.

Is there an age limit?

Students must be 17+. Exceptions can be made with parental or sibling supervision.

How much are the enrollment fees and is there financial aid?

Tuition is $1,000 or a payment plan of $125 for 9 months, covering all three parts of VLA, the capstone experience, and student resources. Scholarships are available, indicate your interest in the application insha’Allah.