Free Leadership Programs For Minority High School Students

Please note: This listing is for information purposes only and does not imply an endorsement or recommendation.

College Readiness
Technology
Accounting
Business
Engineering
Journalism
Pharmacy
College Readiness

SEO Scholars – SEO Scholars is a free eight-year academic program that gets underserved public high school students to and through college—with a 90% college graduation rate.

Prep for Prep – Prep for Prep is a leadership development program that offers promising students of color access to a private school education based in New York City.

City Year (Various Locations) – City Year is an education-focused, nonprofit organization that unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service to keep students in school and on track to graduation.

Technology

All Star Code  All Star Code prepares young Black and Latino men for tech careers by providing mentorship, industry exposure, and training in Computer Science. Our flagship program, the Summer Intensive (SI), is a FREE six week program designed to give high school boys the access and exposure they need to become successful tech entrepreneurs. Through real-world experiences at top tech companies, and hands-on, project-based learning, All Stars finish the program with both coding skills and an entrepreneurial mindset.

Science and Technology Entry Program at Fordham University – Fordham STEP is an academic enrichment program for underrepresented minority and economically disadvantaged students in junior high and high school.

Accounting

The PricewaterhouseCoopers Accounting Careers Leadership Institute – The PricewaterhouseCoopers Accounting Careers Leadership Institute is a week-long, hands-on opportunity for Latino/a and African American or Black high school juniors (rising seniors) to learn more about the accounting profession and about the key role accountants play in society.

Business

LEAD Summer Business Institute (Various Universities)- The SBI program exposes scholars to business principles and the skill sets needed for successful business careers. The program challenges them through applied learning experiences often facilitated by college professors, links scholars to corporate executives in business fields and peers with similar aspirations and abilities.

Engineering

Cornell Catalyst Academy – The CATALYST Academy is a one-week summer residential program for rising high school juniors, and seniors. The mission of the CATALYST Academy is to advance diversity in engineering and its related disciplines.

Carnegie Mellon Summer Academy for Math and Science – The Summer Academy for Mathematics and Science is a six-week rigorous residential experience for high school seniors who have a strong interest in computer science, engineering and natural sciences. The summer academy’s goal is to equip students with essential skills necessary for successful completion of STEM majors.

MIT Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science – Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES) is a rigorous six-week residential academic enrichment program for rising high school seniors – many of whom come from underrepresented or underserved communities – who have a strong academic record and are interested in studying and exploring careers in science and engineering.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Engineering Summer Program  Engineering Summer Program (ESP) is a fully funded, six-week residential program for students who will be high school juniors or seniors in the upcoming school year. The ESP course curriculum includes math, physics, chemistry, engineering, and technical communications.

SMASH (California/Georgia Based) – The Summer Math and Science Honors Academy (SMASH) is a free of cost, STEM-intensive college preparatory program for underrepresented high school students of color.

Journalism

Princeton University Summer Journalism Program – Princeton welcome 35-40 high school students from low-income backgrounds every summer to Princeton’s campus for an intensive, 10-day seminar on journalism. The program’s goal is to diversify college and professional newsrooms by encouraging outstanding students from low-income backgrounds to pursue careers in journalism.

Pharmacy

Summer Enrichment Science Academy – The Center of Excellence High School Summer Enrichment Science Academy (HSSESA) is one of the many support programs offered through the COE to facilitate entry to the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at Howard University. The HSSESA is a six-week residential summer enrichment science academy for rising 11th and 12th grade high school students. Twenty (20) High School students who demonstrate an interest in the sciences, a career in pharmacy or other health professions will be selected.