YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Tressel Institute for Leadership and Teamwork at Youngstown State University is accepting nominations for its second annual Summer Leadership Institute.
The three-day leadership program for rising high school juniors and seniors is scheduled for July 16-18.
The Summer Leadership Institute brings students from across the region together to explore leadership through hands-on activities, collaborative challenges and interactive workshops focused on communication, teamwork and problem-solving. Participants work alongside students from other schools while building connections and gaining practical experience as part of a team.
“The Summer Leadership Institute gives students a chance to experience leadership in action,” said Jenna Binsley-Smith, program administrator for the Tressel Institute. “Through hands-on activities and team challenges, students discover their strengths, learn how to collaborate effectively and build relationships with peers who share an interest in leadership.”
The institute launched in 2025 and brought together students from several high schools across the Mahoning Valley. During the three-day program, participants engaged in team-building exercises, campuswide leadership challenges and a community service project in partnership with the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.
“Programs like the Summer Leadership Institute give students an early opportunity to see themselves as leaders and to experience what leadership looks like beyond the classroom,” said Amy Cossentino, associate provost for Experiential Learning & Engagement, dean of the Sokolov Honors College and dean of the Cliffe College of Creative Arts at YSU. “By bringing motivated students together from across the region, we help them build confidence, strengthen collaboration skills and begin imagining how they can make a positive impact in their schools and communities.”
Students who participated in the inaugural program said the experience helped them gain confidence and build meaningful connections with peers from various schools, while also providing an early introduction to the college environment.
High school guidance counselors are invited to nominate up to two students from their schools to participate in the program. Applications are due April 15.
For more information, visit the Summer Leadership Institute website.
Pictured at top: Past participants in the Summer Leadership Institute.