Summer Leadership Academy

The Summer Leadership Academy brings together high school girls from across the U.S. to Mount Mary University for a residential college-prep, career exploration, and leadership program. During the Academy, panels, lectures and interactive workshops are presented by experts from a variety of backgrounds, including nursing, business, education, and non-profits. Mount Mary prides itself on hosting an incredibly diverse group of young women from across the metropolitan area and across the country. Mount Mary excels at developing confident women and reaching them at an even earlier age through the Academy will help ensure successful futures for these young women, whatever path they take. 

The 2022 Summer Leadership Academy will be an expanded, 6-day, 5-night residential program, featuring additional, in-depth career exploration programming. Participants will stay overnight in the residence halls and will remain on campus for the entirety of the program. The 2022 Summer Leadership Academy will held June 19-24, 2022. This updated program will feature leadership development, college prep, personal and professional development, and expanded career exploration selections. The application for the Summer Leadership Academy will open on January 1, 2022. A link to the application will be available on this webpage at that time. If you have any questions about the Summer Leadership Academy, please contact the Women's Leadership Institute at mmu-womenldr@mtmary.edu.

What You Will Learn at the Summer Leadership Academy

Sessions for college readiness, career, leadership, and personal development led by Milwaukee business leaders and Mount Mary faculty include:

• Skills for College and Beyond
• Leadership Development
• Importance of Sisterhood
• Confidence
• Introduction to Financial Aid
• Finding the Right Fit in a College
• Exploring Programs of Study
• Networking with Young Professionals
• Career Exploration highlighting 3 pathways:
  
  • Art & Design
  • Humanities
  • STEM

The 2021 Summer Leadership Academy

Because of the ongoing public health restrictions, the 2021 Summer Leadership Academy was held as a 4-day hybrid program. Academy participants were able to choose the format they preferred: in-person and on campus or virtual. Forty participants   attended the in-person program and 16 attended the program virtually. Each day of the Academy had a focus:

• College Prep
• Career Exploration

• Personal Leadership
• Leadership in the Community

The Academy has consistently attracted young women from different races, ethnic groups and geographical locations, including 5 different states. The 2020 Academy continued to welcome a group of young women that reflects our society and the Mount Mary University campus:  

A sample of the general programming sessions the Academy attendees participated in includes:

"I FEEL VERY EMPOWERED BY A STRONG FEMALE COMMUNITY. I FEEL ON FIRE AND LIKE ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE." - 2021 Summer Leadership Academy Participant

• Finding the Right Fit in a College
• Importance of Sisterhood
• Your Authentic Self
• Campus Tour
• Racial & Social Dynamics as a Leader
• Financial Aid 101
• Leadership and Social Justice
• Challenges to Women's Leadership
• Q&A with current MMU Students

Students were able to choose from the following hands-on elective courses:   

• Exploring the School of Natural & Health Sciences and Education
• Exploring the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies
• Exploring the School of Arts & Design and Business
• Interior Architecture & Design
• Food Science

• Fashion Design
• Nursing
• Education   
• Yoga
• Self-Defense

Learn more about the 2021 Summer Leadership Academy:   

2021 Summer Leadership Academy Impact Report
2021 Photo Slideshow

Peer Mentor Program

"I HONESTLY LOVED MY SMALL GROUP TIME.  I REALLY FOUND VALUE IN THE TIME WE GOT TO JUST TALK, REFLECT, AND GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER."  ~ 2021 Summer Leadership Academy participant

Young women who have successfully participated in a previous Summer Leadership Academy are eligible to apply to be Peer Mentors for the upcoming Summer Leadership Academy. These young women will put their leadership skills and experiences as Summer Leadership Academy participants into practice by assisting current Academy participants. Peer Mentors will have specialized training and participate in small and large group programs and activities. During the small group sessions, they will serve as facilitators alongside their adult mentor partners, leading discussion and conversation to help participants reflect on what they are learning. There is no cost to be a part of the Peer Mentor Program.  

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