The Fanning Institute at the University of Georgia developed the Latino Youth Leadership Program as a vehicle to develop leadership skills in high school-aged students and to encourage the attainment of a higher education. It is our philosophy that developing youth as leaders will increase their knowledge of and access to educational opportunities.

Selection of Participants

• Students throughout the state, ages 15-19, with a demonstrated interest in building leadership in Latino communities are encouraged to apply for the program.
• Participants must be willing to commit to developing and implementing a plan to impact positive change in their communities.
• Participants may be nominated by school systems, community organization and religious institution.
• Applications are due in spring of each year. The 2008–2009 applications are due April 15, 2008.
• The University of Georgia, corporate and community sponsors, and interested individuals underwrite program costs; thus there is no cost to the participants.
• The program is divided into two sessions: a four-day program and a two-day program held on the campus of the University of Georgia.

Leadership Sessions/Curriculum

Sessions will be interactive and will build on key learnings from previous session(s). Sessions will include information and discussion on:

• Latino issues and how they impact communities
• Global/societal issues and how it impacts Latinos and home communities
• Understanding the principles and levels of leadership (i.e., position, relationship, succession, and production)
• Higher education: information, options and process
• Building consensus and managing conflict
• Understanding how culture impacts leadership
• Higher education and leadership development

Program Outcomes

• To increase knowledge of issues that impact (1) the Latino community and (2) their home communities as measured by post then assessments.
• To increase leadership development knowledge as measured by post then assessments.
• Students will be required to complete a minimum of one draft college application, including scholarship opportunities and required essays.
• To develop and implement a collaborative project in their home communities as measured by interviews and site visits by community partners and Fanning faculty.

For more information, please contact: