Wake Forest Summer Immersion: Leadership

Wake Forest Summer Immersion: Leadership is an overnight pre-college institute for current 9th–12th grade students, approximately ages 14–18. The program is designed for teens who want to become stronger leaders before college, whether they lead in school clubs, sports teams, volunteer groups, student government, creative projects, or their local communities.

The institute focuses on leadership as a set of practical skills. Students explore relationship development, self-awareness, social awareness, team dynamics, communication, personal brand management, resilience, cultural awareness, diversity, and equity. The goal is not to turn every student into the same kind of leader. Instead, students reflect on who they are, how they lead, and how they can influence others with purpose.

The experience is active and reflective. Students participate in team-building challenges, leadership workshops, case studies, conflict-management exercises, resume development, strengths discovery, service with local nonprofit organizations, and conversations with faculty, staff, and professionals from different industries.

This institute is a strong fit for teens who want to lead with more confidence, communicate with more clarity, and understand how leadership works in groups, communities, and future college settings.

Typical Daily Schedule

    8:00 am – Morning Meeting and Breakfast
    9:00 am – Welcome and Program Introduction
    9:30 am – Workshop: Building Your Personal Brand
    10:30 am – Guest Speaker: Authentic Leadership – Beyond Your Brand 
    11:30 am – Lunch
    12:30 pm – Workshop: Who You Are and How You Lead
    1:30 pm –  Articulating Your Leadership Style
    2:00 pm – Leading at the College Level – Panel With College Students 
    3:00 pm – Case Study: Leadership in Action Breaking Boundaries – Team Building and Conflict Management Exercise
    4:30 pm – Debrief for the Next Day
    5:00 pm – Dinner
    6:30 pm – Evening Activities
    7:30 pm – Free Time
    9:00 pm – Prepare for Bed
    10:30 pm – Lights Out

*The “A Day in the Life” sample schedule is subject to change.