AbstractThis article examines various applications of the leadership identity development (LID) grounded theory and model and explores the process used to apply LID to the construction of collegiate student leadership development experiences. Featured programs include those that use LID as a design element of the program, but do not explicitly teach it; those that explicitly teach the content of the LID theory and model in leadership programs and curricula; and those that use LID at the institutional level to inform university‐wide leadership programming. The article concludes with critiques and considerations for leadership educators interested in applying LID in their leadership education and development programs.