Programs → High School

“Who am I becoming, and how do I use my influence responsibly?”

The fellowship year. High school students engage directly with purpose, career alignment, organizational culture, power, ethics, reputation, and legacy — using real cases and real dilemmas to move from personal reflection into applied leadership.

Cases, debates, career scenarios, ethical dilemmas, leadership portfolios, peer feedback, and community challenges. Every session connects a choice a student makes today to the person and the professional they are becoming.

Audience

Grades 9-12

Format

Six sessions, in cohort sessions

Partners

Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania; The Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Engagement

Modules

01 Know Yourself

“Who am I becoming?”

Students explore their identity, values, strengths, and experiences to understand who they are becoming and how their experiences have shaped the way they lead.

01 Know Yourself

“Who am I becoming?”

Students explore their identity, values, strengths, and experiences to understand who they are becoming and how their experiences have shaped the way they lead.

02 Purpose & Future

“What kind of life and contribution am I building toward?”

Students explore their goals, career interests, and future opportunities while considering how factors like purpose, culture, money, learning, lifestyle, and personal values should shape their decisions.

02 Purpose & Future

“What kind of life and contribution am I building toward?”

03 Leading Yourself

“Can I manage myself before I lead others?”

Students develop self-awareness, discipline, emotional intelligence, and accountability by examining how they handle stress, feedback, failure, boundaries, confidence, and personal growth.

03 Leading Yourself

“Can I manage myself before I lead others?”

Students develop self-awareness, discipline, emotional intelligence, and accountability by examining how they handle stress, feedback, failure, boundaries, confidence, and personal growth.

04 Leading Other People

“How do I influence people when I do not have authority?”

Students learn how to influence and support others without relying on formal authority. They explore trust, communication, credibility, empowerment, and how their leadership affects the people around them.

04 Leading Other People

“How do I influence people when I do not have authority?”

05 Leading Through Complexity

“What do I do when every choice has consequences?”

Students learn how to navigate difficult situations where there is no simple right answer. They consider ethics, competing values, stakeholders, risks, consequences, conflict, and the relationship between intent and impact.

05 Leading Through Complexity

“What do I do when every choice has consequences?”

06 Lead for Something

“What do I want my leadership to make possible for someone else?”

Students explore the lasting impact they want their leadership to have on others. They focus on service, mentorship, creating opportunities, and building a leadership legacy that benefits the people who come after them.