St. Francis College (SFC) announced today a new partnership with LEADership, Education and Development (LEAD) to serve as a host institution for the Global Summer Learning Institute in summer 2022.

The Global Summer Learning Institute (GSLI) at SFC will feature a dynamic three-week program with one week of online learning and two weeks of a college residential experience. As a LEAD host institution, SFC will establish a curriculum to guide high-achieving high school students through the foundational practices of accounting, entrepreneurship, technology and leadership.

“We are thrilled to become the only LEAD program host school in New York City,” said Miguel Martinez-Saenz, St. Francis College President. “Having our faculty, staff and corporate partners engage with a cohort of dynamic future leaders aligns with our mission to invest in the development of inquisitive scholars looking to learn more about business, industry, entrepreneurship and innovation. Introducing this LEAD cohort to the St. Francis community will be a valuable experience for all involved.”

For more than 40 years, LEAD has developed over 20,000 high-achieving leaders who have all graduated from college and have all gone on to be exceptional representations in their fields. Through the LEADing for Life GSLI program, high school scholars will be immersed in the college experience while being engaged in sessions and site visits with college professors, corporate executives and practitioners. Scholars then apply their knowledge and collaborate in teams to create a business enterprise with a social purpose as their capstone project.

Teams from each institute will have the opportunity to participate in the Global LEADing for Life Challenge (LFLC), which is a competition for seed capital and support to launch their world-changing business enterprise. LEAD is committed to making sure their dreams and ideas become a reality.

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome St. Francis College to the LEAD community,” said Dr. Lawrence Drake, LEAD President & CEO. “This 160+-year-old institution that has and continues to be "driven by dreams—powered by big ideas, bold ambitions, and courage”, is a great fit for LEAD's three strategic 21st curriculum foundations which are LEADership, Entrepreneurship, and Technology."

Through this partnership, SFC and LEAD will engage SFC faculty and industry partners to deliver learning experiences that focus on LEAD's three curriculum foundations.

“SFC and LEAD are a perfect match,” said Dr. Jennifer Lancaster, Vice President for Academic Affairs at SFC. “We have a proud heritage of preparing students to take their places as leaders in their fields, becoming confident alumni well prepared for meaningful, fulfilling careers, and for collaborative, service-oriented leadership.”

Dale Favors, special advisor in SFC’s External Affairs Division and 1986 LEAD alumni, secured the partnership with LEAD. The External Affairs Division is charged with connecting SFC to corporate and non-profit organizations to develop student pipeline programs.

“As a LEAD alum and former LEAD parent, I can attest to the impact that the program can have on aspiring high school students,” said Favors. “Having the chance to work with the leadership teams at St. Francis College and the LEAD Program has truly been exhilarating. Being a part of bringing this incredible experience to young people and exposing them to the fundamentals of business and the critical thinking skills used by successful professionals, is just priceless.”

About St. Francis College

For the past 160+ years, St. Francis College has provided an affordable, quality education to students of all backgrounds. We are one of the most diverse private institutions in the nation and one of the most affordable colleges in New York. At our roots, the Franciscan Tradition of the College ensures a welcoming environment that supports students and helps develop the whole person. We challenge our students to expand their learning experience beyond the classroom and become an integral part of the community.