WASHBURN UNIVERSITY, TOPEKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND THE GREATER TOPEKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PARTNER FOR HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Made possible by a grant from the Topeka Community Foundation, the academy is a collaboration between the Foundation, Washburn University and the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce.

Students will live on the Washburn campus for the week and will be guided through a comprehensive program that will introduce concepts from the Kansas Leadership Center, including awareness and application of the four competencies of Diagnosing the Situation, Managing Self, Energizing Others, and Intervening Skillfully. The mission of HSLA is to develop leadership skills in high school students and create a greater awareness about ways they, personally, can influence positive change in their communities.

“This grant maximizes our investment in youth leadership by partnering with Washburn University and the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce,” said Marsha Pope, President of the Topeka Community Foundation. “As we look to develop home-grown talent in Topeka, we believe this grant opens doors for collaborative work in finding opportunities to benefit our community.”

Throughout the week, students will experience site visits, tours, interactive presentations and guest speakers. Each day will include social activities as well as time for processing in small groups.  Peer mentors from the Washburn Leadership Institute will help facilitate the academy.

“Initiatives like the High School Leadership Academy allow our students to practice and refine their skills,” said Dr. Michael Gleason, director of the Washburn University Leadership Institute. “These partnerships help foster networks that benefit their education and future career goals.”

High school student participants were nominated for the academy by school administrators and had to submit an application. Applicants were notified the last week of April that they had been selected to participate in the program by a public tapping ceremony. Katelyn Rollins, a senior at Washburn University and the High School Leadership Academy Fellow, along with other current Washburn Leadership Institute students serving as peer mentors for the summer program, went to each high school to publicly award selected recipients with their acceptance letter.

“It is so special to know that I was nominated by my high school administration and selected by Washburn University to be a participant in the Leadership Academy. I simply cannot wait to be on campus and experience the energy and vibe of Washburn.” said Sarah Carson, Hayden High School. “I am looking forward to meeting the other participants, instructors, and Topeka Leaders. Topeka holds a special place in my heart. I want to be a part of the positive change in this community. Let's make it happen!”

Participation in the High School Leadership Academy is limited to rising high school juniors in Shawnee County. Selection for participation will occur through a nomination process each year with up to 25 students being accepted.

Editor’s Note: List of 2017 participants.

High School

First Name

Last Name

Hayden Catholic High School

Sarah

Carson

Hayden Catholic High School

Caroline

Setter

Highland Park High School

Makiyah

Boyd

Highland Park High School

Chamiel

Thompson

Highland Park High School

Hayley

Campbell-Zirkel

Rossville Junior-Senior High School

Caila

Hill

Rossville Junior-Senior High School

Stacey

Keithline

Shawnee Heights High School

Jack

Hoytal

Shawnee Heights High School

Nicole

Bloomquist

Shawnee Heights High School

Alondra

Retana

Shawnee Heights High School

Taegon

Black

Seaman High School

Austin

Kruse

Topeka High School

Tionna

German

Topeka High School

Caliyah

Cobb

Topeka High School

Nola

Limon

Topeka West High School

Kiora

Brooks

Topeka West High School

Gabriella

Rivera

Washburn Rural High School

Benjamin

Nutter

Washburn Rural High School

Nadia

Jackson

Washburn Rural High School

Leyton

Brunner