Applications are still being accepted, and full scholarships are available, for the 2026 Leadership Southern Maryland Teen Leadership Academy presented by Stella’s Girls, Inc.
Thanks to the generosity of Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) alumni and community partners, ten students will have the opportunity to attend LSM’s 2026 Teen Leadership Academy presented by Stella’s Girls, Inc. on full-tuition scholarships.
The Teen Leadership Academy, taking place July 27–31, 2026, at the College of Southern Maryland Hughesville Regional Campus, is a premier youth leadership development experience designed to educate, empower, and inspire the next generation of Southern Maryland leaders. The program is open to students entering grades 9 through 12 from Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties.
“When we shared that families were excited about the Teen Leadership Academy but that tuition presented a barrier for some students, the LSM family and our community partners responded immediately,” said Dr. Sybol Anderson, Executive Director of Leadership Southern Maryland. “Their generosity sends a powerful message to these young leaders: your community believes in you, and we are investing in you.”
Throughout the week-long academy, students will engage directly with leaders from across Southern Maryland while visiting industry sites and participating in hands-on activities focused on leadership development, communication, collaboration, civic engagement, service, community problem solving, and college and career readiness.
Presented by Stella’s Girls, Inc., the Academy combines LSM’s regional network of more than 700 leaders with Stella’s Girls’ expertise in youth leadership development.
“The Teen Leadership Academy is designed to help students recognize their own potential and see themselves as leaders today,” said Kaprece James, MPA, President and CEO of Stella’s Girls, Inc. “These scholarships ensure more students have access to the relationships, experiences, and opportunities that can help shape their futures.”
Throughout the week, students will explore topics including:
- Personal Mastery
- Public Speaking and Communication
- Networking with Regional Leaders
- Civic and Community Engagement
- Community Problem Solving
- Team Building and Collaboration
- College and Career Readiness
- Servant Leadership
Regular tuition for the program is $1,400, which includes all instructional programming, materials, meals, transportation, facility expenses, and experiential learning activities throughout the week. The ten full scholarships that have been made available will help ensure that qualified students have access to the program regardless of financial circumstances.
Students and families interested in learning more are invited to attend a virtual information session on Tuesday, July 14, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. The session will provide an overview of the Academy experience, schedule, application process, and available scholarship opportunities. Register at https://leadershipsomd.org/information-session-registration/.
Students interested in participating are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Apply at https://bit.ly/2026TLA. The application deadline is July 17, 2026.
For more information about the Teen Leadership Academy, the July 14 information session, or the application process, visit https://leadershipsomd.org/programs/tla/ or email [email protected].
About Leadership Southern Maryland – Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is an independent community leadership development organization designed to broaden the knowledge base of public and private sector professionals, students, and youth about the critical issues, challenges, and opportunities facing the Southern Maryland region. Founded in 2008, LSM has graduated more than 700 regional leaders
About Stella’s Girls, Inc.: Founded in 2016, Stella’s Girls, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and empowering youth to become leaders, advocates, and social change agents. Through mentorship, leadership development, STEM education, workforce development, and community engagement, Stella’s Girls has impacted thousands of young people locally and globally.
Leadership Southern Maryland is an independent community leadership development organization designed to broaden the knowledge base of public and private sector executives about the critical issues, challenges, and opportunities facing the Southern Maryland region. Leadership Southern Maryland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit by the Internal Revenue Service (EIN#26-2989381). Contributions are deductible as charitable contributions to the extent permitted by law.
For more information, please contact Sybol Anderson, Executive Director Leadership Southern Maryland, 301-862-SOMD, via email [email protected] or visit www.leadershipsomd.org.
