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The Civic Leadership Academy
This summer, the Lou Frey Institute will host the best and the brightest of Florida's
civic-minded high school students at the University of Central Florida. Students who
attend will explore Florida government, politics and public policy challenges as well the
global context that is shaping the state. Participants will build their knowledge of the
state’s policy challenges, the factors that have led to our current
situation and gain the skills necessary to be advocates for positive change.
The Civic Leadership Academy is an intensive two-week program.
How Do Students Benefit?
Participants learn advanced civics of state and
local governments and party systems, and explore public policy challenges through an open
and engaging learning environment. A wide variety of ideas and philosophies are explored
and debated with an emphasis on ethics and responsible leadership. In addition to
structured curriculum elements taught by top-caliber faculty, guest speakers give students
real-life examples of political leadership.
The curriculum was developed in collaboration with the University of
Virginia’s Sorensen
Institute for Political Leadership. The Sorensen Program has been recognized by the
Carnegie Foundation for Teaching as one of the strongest and most innovative civic
education initiatives in the nation. Three key objectives of the Civic Leadership
Academy are:
- To prepare future leaders for ethical and
responsible citizenship and public service;
- To connect youth leaders from different
backgrounds and philosophies with each other and current public leaders;
- To energize our democratic system of
government by promoting civic engagement in youth leaders.
How Does Florida Benefit?
By attracting bright and committed students with a wide variety of political
philosophies and academic backgrounds and from all corners of the state, the Civic
Leadership Academy deliver to the community well-informed, capable and ethical young
leaders. Graduates of the Academy will go on to a variety of business, educational and
political environments -- they are critical thinkers who understand the personal
responsibilities that make strong leaders.
If you have any questions about these programs, more information is available on the
Civic Leadership Academy program [hotlink] pages. You may also contact Dr. Doug Dobson,
Director of the Lou Frey Institute, at (407) 823-0665 or ddobson@mail.ucf.edu.
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