Since 2018, the Summer Leadership Academy has been developing the leadership potential of young women in high school as well as preparing them for college and helping them to explore career options. The Summer Leadership Academy accepts young women who are currently in their freshmen, sophomore, or junior year in high school. Students gain essential skills and valuable knowledge that will strengthen their college applications and follow them into their future careers. Students who successfully complete the Summer Leadership Academy earn 2 college credits!
The Summer Leadership Academy welcomes high-achieving, mature and motivated high school students who share a common interest in preparing for college success, career exploration, and leadership development. Before applying, students are asked to fully review our website and the application to determine that the Summer Leadership Academy is a good fit.
The Academy prides itself on hosting an incredibly diverse group of young women from across the metropolitan area and across the country. The Academy has consistently attracted young women from different races, ethnic groups and geographic locations. Students hail from many different backgrounds but are united by their drive and commitment.
Applications for the 2025 Summer Leadership Academy will be available January 1, 2025 and must be submitted by March 1, 2025.
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
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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.
Completed applications are reviewed by the selection committee. Applicants are evaluated on the strength of their essays, their co-curricular resume, and the letter of recommendation submitted on their behalf by a current teacher, counselor, or adult not related to them that can speak to their personal qualities and ability to successfully complete the Summer Leadership Academy.
Admissions decisions will be made on a rolling basis and all decisions will be made on or before March 15, 2025. Students should apply early as there is limited enrollment. Applicants will be 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 tuition payment. Students who are not initially selected will be wait-listed for the program.
Accepted students must confirm their attendance by completing the Accepted Student Form and paying tuition in full, making a payment plan, or submitting their scholarship application by April 1, 2025.
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 takes place the last week of June. Sessions and activities will be held on the Mount Mary University campus. Check back for dates for the 2025 Summer Leadership Academy.
The Summer Leadership Academy is a residential program. This program provides the opportunity to meet incredible young women from around the country. 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 high schools.
You can find the suggested packing list from the 2024 Summer Leadership Academy below:
PACKING LIST
The fee structure for the 2025 Summer Leadership Academy will be available in fall. Please check back often for updates.
The 2025 Summer Leadership Academy will consist of the following sessions:
Mornings: LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT/COLLEGE READINESS SESSIONS
Afternoons: CAREER PATHWAYS SESSIONS (ARTS & DESIGN, HEALTH CARE, HUMANITIES & BUSINESS OR STEM)
Evenings: PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS and SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
A full agenda will be shared with applicants prior to the 2025 Summer Leadership Academy. All meals will be provided. Agenda is subject to change.
Young women who have successfully completed a previous Summer Leadership Academy are encouraged to apply to be Peer Mentors. These young women put their leadership skills and experiences as Summer Lead
ership Academy graduates into practice by being small group leaders, positive role models, and assisting current Academy participants. Peer Mentors have specialized training and participate in small and large group programs and activities. During the small group sessions, they serve as facilitators alongside their Adult Mentor partners, leading discussion and conversation to help participants reflect on what they are learning. Peer Mentors must be past participants of the Summer Leadership Academy. Young women in high school, college, graduate school, or post-college are eligible to apply.
Applications for the 2025 Summer Leadership Academy Peer Mentor Program will be available January 1, 2025 and will close March 1, 2025.
Upon successful completion of the Summer Leadership Academy, new participants will be awarded 2 college credits from Mount Mary University. The course is graded on a Pass/Fail basis. The credits are generally transferable to another university, however, each college/university has their own rules on what types of pre-college program credits they accept. Participants should contact the college/university to which they are applying to verify the transfer of these credits. After the Summer Leadership Academy has concluded, participants will be advised on how to access their student transcripts from Mount Mary University.
The Summer Leadership Academy had a record 110 applications for the 2024 program! This year, 66% of applicants are eligible and in need of receiving a full-tuition scholarship. To support the Summer Leadership Academy Scholarship Fund, please click the donate button below and select Summer Leadership Academy in the Gift Designation drop down. Thank you for your support!
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"I feel confident in my abilities to succeed and make informed decisions about my future after attending Mount Mary's Summer Leadership Program."
~ Sydney A., 2023 participant
"I have 100% grown into a better leader, more confident, and I feel like I have figured out my goals."
~ Payton J,. 2023 participant
"Our daughter is now a proud graduate of the program and we can say without any hesitation that it truly was a transformative experience for her and we could not be more grateful for the opportunity to partake in such an empowering program."
~ Kim and John H., parents of a 2023 Summer Leadership Academy participant
The Summer Leadership Academy has a proven impact on program participants. Each year, Academy participants are given a pre-Academy and post-Academy survey. Students from the 2023 Academy shared the following:
- Agreement with the statement "I feel like I can make informed decisions about my life after high school" increased from 75% pre-Academy to 93% post-Academy.
- Agreement with the statement "I understand what my leadership skills are and what I need to develop" increased from 79% pre-Academy to 97% post-Academy.
- Agreement with the statement "I am confident in my understanding of the factors to consider when choosing a college" increased from 69% pre-Academy to 96% post-Academy.
- Agreement with the statement, "I am aware of a variety of funding sources to help make college affordable" increased from 49% pre-Academy to 93% post-Academy.
Read the 2023 Summer Leadership Academy Impact Report here
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:
- Students are required to follow all instructions provided by program faculty, instructors, and staff.
- Students must be respectful of other students and program staff.
- Students must respect the property of others.
- Students must keep rooms clean and orderly.
- Students are not permitted to leave their groups or Mount Mary University campus without supervision/permission from Academy Director.
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 Program Manager. If infractions continue, participants may be dismissed.
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.
Cell phone use is prohibited in classrooms, courses, and small group sessions unless otherwise stated by an instructor or small group leader. Cell phones must remain out of sight and in silent mode during class or small group time.
If applicable, as the public health situation evolves, the most updated Mount Mary Covid/public health policies 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 or other public health protocols.
"The Summer Leadership Academy enlightened me on things I thought I knew but really didn't! It helped me identify what I really want to study and it also helped me with my social skills." ~ Deontrenique W.
