Applications for the 2023 Summer Leadership Academy will be available on this website beginning December 15, 2022. All applications must be submitted by March 1, 2023. Take advantage of our Early Bird Registration Special by applying before February 1, 2023 and saving 50% off the application fee, a $25 savings.

The Summer Leadership Academy is a robust and competitive program with a 2-step application process. The following materials are required in the first step of the application process:

• General information
• A resume of activities
• An essay
• A letter of recommendation from a current teacher, counselor, or employer. The letter of recommendation must be from an adult not related to you who can speak to your personal qualities and ability to successfully complete the Summer Leadership Academy.

Applicants are evaluated on the strength of their essays, their academic and co-curricular resume, and the letter of recommendation. The selection committee uses a Holistic Review of an application which allows the selection committee to consider the “whole” applicant, rather than disproportionately focusing on any one factor. 

Admissions decisions will be made on or before March 15, 2023.  Applicants are notified of the selection committee's decision by email. Applicants who are selected to attend the Summer Leadership Academy will be sent the link to a secondary form, requesting additional information and final payment. Students who are not initially selected will be wait-listed for the program. Only students admitted to the program will be charged tuition. 

Accepted students must confirm their attendance by completing the Accepted Student Form and paying tuition by April 1. 

We are committed to including young women from diverse socioeconomic, ethnic, racial and educational backgrounds in each Summer Leadership Academy. Young women in their freshman, sophomore, or junior years of high school at the time of application are eligible. We encourage all students with all kinds of interests and backgrounds to apply because we believe that everyone who attends benefits in some way. Diversity of views and interests is considered a strength of the program.

There is no limit to the number of applicants from each high school. However, in order to maintain diversity within the program and integrity of the leadership experience, the maximum number of accepted applicants from any one high school is eight.

The Summer Leadership Academy is scheduled to take place June 25-29, 2023. Check back often for updates.   

Yes, the 2023 Summer Leadership Academy will be a residential program. This program provides the opportunity to meet incredible young women from around the country who will mentor, coach, and teach you important skills for the future. The residential nature of the program creates an intensive learning experience that cannot be replicated with a series of one-day programs. This experience encourages friendship and camaraderie, building mentoring relationships and extends the learning experience beyond the formal program sessions, as conversations continue over meals and throughout the evening. Most participants will have roommates while some may have a single room with a suitemate (sharing a bathroom). In order to get the most out of this experience, participants will be assigned roommates and suitemates from different schools.  

The fees for the 2023 Summer Leadership Academy are as follows: 

1. The non-refundable application fee is $50. Take advantage of our Early Bird Registration Special by applying before February 1, 2023 and saving 50% off the application fee, a $25 savings.  
2. The tuition for the Summer Leadership Academy is $500 for the 5 day/4 night program and includes the cost of all courses, credits, lodging, meals, and supplies.

The 2023 Summer Leadership Academy will consist of the following sessions: 

Mornings:  LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT/COLLEGE READINESS SESSIONS

Afternoons:  CAREER PATHWAYS SESSIONS (STEM, ARTS & DESIGN, OR HUMANITIES & BUSINESS) 

Evenings:  PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS and SOCIAL ACTIVITIES 

A full agenda will be shared with applicants prior to the 2023 Summer Leadership Academy. All meals will be provided.

Mount Mary University provides a positive and enriching experience for all participants. To ensure the best experience for all of our students, the Women's Leadership Institute Summer Leadership Academy has established the following rules:

• Campers are required to follow all instructions provided by camp faculty, instructors, and staff.
• Campers must be respectful of other campers and camp staff.
• Campers must respect the property of others.
• Campers must keep rooms clean and orderly.
• Campers are not permitted to leave their groups or Mount Mary University campus without staff supervision/permission.

Any minor infraction will result in a verbal reprimand or warning from the Academy Director. Serious infractions will result in a verbal warning and a parent/guardian will be notified by the Academy Director. If infractions continue, participants may be expelled.

Grounds for immediate expulsion may include, but are not limited to:

• Use of alcohol or drugs
• Smoking or vaping
• Activating fire alarms
• Theft
• Vandalism
• The use of any item that endangers an individual or University property

Mount Mary University will not refund any fees for participants who are dismissed from the Summer Leadership Academy for serious or repeated Code of Conduct violations.

As the public health situation evolves, the most updated Mount Mary Covid policy and protocols will be sent to participants prior to the beginning of the Summer Leadership Academy. Mount Mary University will continue to follow the recommendations of the CDC and local public health agencies in regard to Covid and other public health protocols. If you have any questions about the Covid policy, please contact Alexandra Hoslet, Program Manager for the Women's Leadership Institute, at hosleta@mtmary.edu.