Summer Leadership Academy

Application for Summer 2025

Ithaca College, Ithaca NY

During the last week of June,, a group of ten rising 9th graders and two chaperones attended the NYGEAR UP Summer Leadership Academy at Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY.  They experienced career path workshops hosted by professors from the College. They participated in a Mad Learn App Design and Development training. The students worked in teams and participated in a challenge where they presented their app designs in a Shark Tank type format. Our students made it to the final round, judged by their peers from the other 10 sites around NYS.

Other fun experiences for the students included visiting Taughannock Falls State Park for an environmental study, a star walk and visit to the observatory let by an Ithaca College astronomy professor, a presentation by the circus culture and participation in circus activities, and a culminating banquet to celebrate the 5 days of experiences and events.

This Summer Leadership Academy is a yearly opportunity for our students. A different cohort of students will have the opportunity to participate at the end of the 24/25 school year.