�Ը�������

�Ը������� University at Stark welcomed 40 high school students to campus this spring for two leadership development events designed to promote confidence, encourage critical thinking and prepare the next generation of community leaders.

The campus hosted students from Stark County high schools on March 18 and again on April 8 as part of its annual partnership with the Youth Leadership Academy of Stark County. The March event marked the seventh year of Junior Leadership Day, bringing together 40 high school juniors, including one male and one female student from each Stark County school district. A second event in April welcomed a group of high school sophomores for a similar immersive leadership experience.

Together, the programs provided students with a full day of interactive workshops, team-building exercises and discussions led by �Ը������� Stark faculty and staff, alongside members of the Youth Leadership Academy leadership team.

This year’s sessions challenged students to think deeply about leadership through topics such as “Going Beyond the Surface;” “CommYOUnity: Purpose, Contribution and Responsibility;” “Belonging and Community;” and “Intersectionality: Creating Community as a Leader.”

Students also explored leadership fundamentals, including question formulation, problem-solving, decision-making, goal setting and effective communication. Hands-on activities and collaborative breakout sessions encouraged participants to work together while stepping outside their comfort zones.

“Youth Leadership Academy Day is about empowering students to recognize their potential and equipping them with the tools to lead with confidence and purpose,” said Bathi Kasturiarachi, Ph.D., a faculty member in �Ը������� Stark’s Department of Mathematical Sciences. “We are proud to host such a dynamic group of young leaders from our area high schools and provide them with a meaningful leadership experience.”

Kasturiarachi said the event is designed to give students opportunities to engage in experiential learning while reflecting on what leadership means in their schools and communities.

For Tristan Shuman, a junior at Lake High School, the experience offered a new perspective on leadership. In a statement provided to Hartville News, Shuman said: “The YLA Day at �Ը������� Stark taught us how great leaders ask the right questions. It made me realize that I haven’t been asking the right ones. YLA has pushed me out of my comfort zone and shown me what I’m capable of doing. I feel more confident about what it takes to lead others.”

Julia Kasper, program manager for Leadership Stark County and leader of the Youth Leadership Academy, said the partnership helps students understand that leadership begins with curiosity.

“Leadership starts with curiosity,” Kasper said. “By engaging in experiential learning like this and asking better questions, they unlock stronger possibilities for their future.”

At the conclusion of each event, students completed a final reflection activity designed to create a lasting reminder of their leadership journey, a tradition that included personalized magnets and collaborative posters in previous years.

The Youth Leadership Academy is a multi-year experiential program offered by Leadership Stark County, a department of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce. Beginning in their sophomore year, students participate in a three-year program focused on leadership development, regional issues and civic engagement through connections with leaders in business, government, education and nonprofit sectors.

�Ը������� Stark officials said the leadership days reflect the university’s continued commitment to youth development and strengthening relationships with local schools and communities.

“This is about more than one day on campus,” Kasturiarachi said. “It’s about helping students see themselves as leaders, now and in the future.”