Lott Leadership Institute For Rising Ninth Graders

Session 1: June 16 - July 5
Session 2: July 7 - July 26

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ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

The Lott Leadership Institute for Rising Ninth Graders is a program designed to develop critical thinking and leadership skills in soon-to-be high school freshmen. Its aim is to cultivate and inspire honest, compassionate, and responsive leaders who will focus on responsibility and stewardship. The overall goal being that students who complete the program will return to their high schools and put the new skills to work for the betterment of the community.

Accepted students come from all over the State of Mississippi. They are given a residential college experience on the Ole Miss campus, earn high school credit, study public policy and leadership, all while forming bonds with peers in the program. As part of the experience, students mingle with college administrators, student leaders and active community members while participating in current event discussions and decision-making activities. During the program, participants take a trip to Jackson,Mississippi, to see state government in action, hear from current leaders, and tour the state’s capitol and governor’s mansion. Students will also participate in a service project to drive home the notion of stewardship from our leaders.

There are two sessions of the Lott Leadership for Rising Ninth Graders available in 2013. Forty students will be selected to attend each term. A principal, guidance counselor, or Ole Miss recruiter must nominate a student in order for the student to receive an application. Only five students per school may be nominated.

DATES:

The first session of the Lott Leadership Institute for Rising Ninth Graders will be June 16 - July 5, 2013. The second session will be July 7 - July 26, 2013. Students select the session they prefer to attend during the application process. Accepted students are enrolled in a credit-bearing course and must attend ALL class meetings, the trip to Jackson, and participate in the service project.

TO APPLY:

Students must meet the following admission requirements to the Lott Leadership Institute for Rising Ninth Graders:

• The student must be in good academic and conduct standing in the eighth grade at the time of admission. The school can be public, private, parochial, or even home–educated.
• The student must have an overall 3.3 GPA 6th, 7th and 8th grade years. The applicant must also have standardized achievement test scores above the present grade level.
• The student must have permission from his or her principal.
• The student must have two letters of recommendation from teachers (included in the student application packet).
  

After being nominated by their school principals or counselors, students must complete the application, which will be sent directly to their home address (provided by the school). From the pool of applications, an admissions selection committee will select participants and a limited number of alternates.

NOMINATION DEADLINES

Nominations from the school MUST be received in the Pre-College Program Office no later than Jan. 18, 2013. Once the Office of Pre-College Programs receives a nomination, a full application will be mailed to the nominee. That completed application, including the principal’s endorsement, must be postmarked no later than February 15, 2013.

ACADEMICS

Students will take Problems in American Democracy, a course designed to give students a greater awareness of the issues and problems facing the United States today. Its emphasis is on analysis of issues, situations, and problems with the goal of fostering positive appreciation and desired resolution. This course is part of the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) curriculum framework and covers the curriculum as designed by MDE. Students that successfully complete the course will receive 1/2 high school Carnegie credit from The University of Mississippi.

HOUSING AND ACTIVITIES

Students will be housed with the Summer Academy Program in a university residence hall designated specifically for them with counselors selected to work specifically with their age group. Weekends will be dedicated to fun activities around the Oxford campus. (Students must stay one weekend to complete the service project, but may leave other weekend.) During the week, students will participate in recreational activities each day as well as research and course activities that will familiarize them with the library and computer center on campus.

PERSONNEL

Administrative personnel from the Pre–College Program Office serve as administrators for the Lott Leadership Institute for Rising Ninth Grade. Instructors working with the group are high school certified teachers. At least eight counselors (four male and four female) will live and work with the group (counselors are outstanding UM students).

PARENT SAFETY CONCERNS

The selected participants are sent a set of age–appropriate rules, and both parents and students must sign and agree to the rules. The only punishment for breach of rules is dismissal from the program. Administrators, teachers and counselors monitor the students 24 hours a day, and the residence hall where they are housed is secure.

COSTS

Once a student is accepted to the program, he/she is required to pay a non-refundable $125 registration fee to reserve his/her position in the program. The remaining cost of the program is $500 (this amount is in addition to the registration fee). Students are strongly encouraged to fundraise the required funds themselves rather than pay out of pocket. This is a leadership building exercise that is part of the program experience. An individual's financial situation should not be a deterrent to applying to and successful completion of the program.

In addition to the above costs, students are responsible for some simple school supplies, weekend meals (if they choose to stay the weekend), snacks, and miscellaneous spending money. Remaining costs of the program, including on campus housing, a week-day meal plan, travel costs, etc., are covered by the Lott Leadership Institute.

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"To be effective leaders, our young people deserve unique opportunities that greatly expand their horizons. The Lott Leadership Institute does that and more, including providing opportunities for lawmakers, academicians, philanthropic leaders and others." —Senator Trent Lott

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For additional information, please contact:

Summer Academy Lott Leadership for Rising Ninth Graders
The University of Mississippi
P.O. Box 9
University, MS 38677
Telephone: 662-915-7621
Facsimile: 662-915-5138
E-mail: summeracademy@olemiss.edu