(NECN) – The Emerging Leaders Program is run out of UMass Boston.

We’re talking to Lisa Deangelis, the director of the UMass Boston Center for Collaborative Leadership, which runs the Emerging Leaders Program, and two alumni: Craig Williams, the COO of Tufts Medical Center, and Rick Jakious, CEO of the Massachusetts Non-profit Network.

One of the center pieces of the program is a long-term project that looks to build community and strengthen relationships.

Deangelis did this in 2003 when she was a student. She came into the program from Liberty Mutual.

Jakious says the group project was a fantastic aspect of the ELP experience. He says everyone he knows who has gone through the program has highlighted this as one of the best parts because it allows you to make a meaningful impact on the city of Boston.

Williams says it’s a good example of the program and how it takes the classroom of learning and gives you real world experience.

Watch the attached video for more.