Colony Leadership Academy

Student nominations are now open for our 2025 class!

Submit your nominations by September 27, 2024. Click below to nominate a high school junior or scroll down for more details and 2025 program dates.

Nominate a Student

The Colony Leadership Academy is an 11-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.

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

These 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. Now accepting nominations for Colony Leadership Academy Class of 2025! Please click below to nominate a current high school junior by September 27, 2024.

Nominate a Student

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

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.
Nominate a Student