Youth Leadership Institute
The Cohen Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies鈥� Youth Leadership Institute is a week-long residential program designed for high school students who aim to become compassionate, informed, and effective leaders.
2027 Youth Leadership Institute
The 2027 Youth Leadership Institute will be hosted on campus at 91影视 from July 25-30, 2027. This year鈥檚 theme is TBD, and the program will bring together young people from diverse backgrounds to explore how lessons from history and the modern day can guide their leadership into the future.
Throughout the week, students will engage with Holocaust and Genocide Studies experts, who will coach students to apply concepts and lessons from history to their own lives and communities. Through lectures, discussions, and interactive activities, students will explore the historical and social conditions that gave rise to the Holocaust and more. These sessions will encourage critical thinking, empathy, and moral reflection to equip students with a deeper understanding of how the study of genocide can inform ethical leadership in today鈥檚 world.
Afternoons will be devoted to leadership workshops and community engagement sessions, where students will reflect on their own values, strengths, and goals as emerging leaders. Through case studies, reflective practice, and team-building activities, students will gain concrete tools for leading with empathy and building consensus. By the end of the week, students will learn how to transform ideas into action by designing a final project that reflects their passions and addresses a pressing issue in their own school or broader community.
Life on campus is an important part of the Institute, providing students with a taste of what college life is like. Students will live in residence halls, share meals in Zorn Dining Commons, and form lasting friendships with students with common interests. To provide students with a break from heavier classroom material, evenings will be filled with activities such as an ice cream social, trivia, and a minor league baseball game, offering opportunities to relax and connect in a fun environment.
This program is a good fit for students who are interested in areas like education, community organizing, history, government – or simply students who hope to inspire others in their community. Students in service clubs, such as Key Club or InterACT, and student leaders are especially encouraged to apply.
Additional Details and Application Timeline
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As noted above, the 2027 Youth Leadership Institute will be held from July 25-30, 2027.
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The program fee is $200; however, scholarships will be available to any student applying who has a financial need for support.
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Applications will open on January 4, 2027, and close on April 5, 2027. Decisions will be sent out by April 23, 2027.
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APPLY HERE! (The application portal will open on January 4, 2027.)
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Please email the Cohen Institute team with any questions or inquiries.
Sample Daily Schedule
| Time | Scheduled Activity |
|---|---|
| Before 9 am | Breakfast at Zorn Dining Commons |
| 9 am - 12 pm | Academic Session: Genocide Risk Factors |
| 12 pm - 1 pm | Lunch at Zorn Dining Commons |
| 1 pm - 4 pm | Afternoon leadership session: The Power of Collaborative Leadership |
| 4 pm - 5:30 pm | Free time / Rest time |
| 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm | Dinner at Zorn Dining Commons |
| 6:30 pm - 9 pm | Group Evening Activity: Swampbats Minor League Baseball Outing |
| 10 pm | Curfew (lights out) |