Colony Leadership Academy

About the Colony Leadership Academy

The Colony Leadership Academy is an eleven-month program designed for high school students across Georgia to develop leadership skills and gain a deeper understanding of key community issues.

Participants engage in structured activities that cover a wide range of topics, including health, economic development, public safety, government affairs, arts and culture, and more. They also build a network of connections with leaders from diverse backgrounds throughout the state. The curriculum is supported by professional trainers from UGA’s Fanning Institute and local community partners.

Upon completion of the program, participants will receive up to a $1,000 scholarship to the College/University of their choice.

Colony Leadership Academy Class of 2022

Program Goals

• To encourage students to recognize their own potential and develop their leadership skills.
• To develop a committed group of young leaders who will be challenged to apply their new leadership skills through interactions with community leaders, decision makers, and peers from other schools.
• To create an environment that nurtures potential young leaders to participate in school/community service and volunteerism.

Mission Statement

The Colony Leadership Academy works to effect positive change in a community by providing high school students opportunities to build leadership skills through service learning projects, seminars, workshops and interaction with local leaders and decision makers.

Program Qualifications

The following qualifications must be met to be accepted to the program:

• Students must be currently enrolled in their Junior year and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent (the student must be classified as a High School Junior by August 2024);

• Students must be nominated by a community member during the nomination period;

• The applicant’s parents and school administrator must sign off on the application once the application window opens; and

• Two personal references must be submitted by the application deadline.

Classes will take place quarterly from February through November. There will be shorter, virtual meetings between sessions to prepare for the in-person instruction, these meetings will last no more than an hour. The program allows for one class-day absence.

2024 Program Dates

(Current Class)

February 2 – 3, 2024: Albany

April 26 – 27, 2024: Moultrie

August 16 – 17, 2024: Warner Robins

November 15 – 16, 2024: Savannah

2025 Program Dates (Tentative)

Note: 2025 dates are tentative and will be finalized closer to the program's start.

February 7 – 8, 2025

April 25 – 26, 2025

August 15 – 16, 2025

November 14 – 15, 2025

Colony Leadership Academy Impact

• 150+ High School Students have participated in the Colony Leadership Academy, including this year’s class.
• Over $100,000 in Scholarships awarded to support the educational goals of our graduates.
• $31,000 Donated to local organizations since 2021 through the Academy.
• 2024 Graduation: This November, we will celebrate the graduation of our 2024 class during their final session.