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The Muncie Youth Leadership Program

Learning to Lead

The goal of this program is to explore the dynamics of leading groups.  Through experiential learning, students will gain insight on the relevance of what it means to be a leader on campus and the surrounding community of Muncie. In  this two semester experience, students will be placed into a group that includes students from three local schools. We will accept 10 Muncie Central students, 10 Indiana Academy students and 10 Burris Laboratory School students. 

Students will

  • Discover their leadership skills, learn new skills, and lead each other.
  • Explore proven leadership practices while working in a group to identify a social issue that is prevalent on their school campus and/or Muncie community.
  • Attend a retreat, multiple group project sessions and workshops in which the theme of group leadership will be discussed.
  • Work to complete a group service project over the course of an academic year. 
  • Make friends and have fun!

In the fall students will be asked to create a proposal for a problem you want to solve.  In the spring student groups will come together to actually solve the problem and then report on their success.

Click here to see an overview of last year’s program.

Fall Schedule

Most meetings will take place at the Innovation Connector (1208 W White River Blvd). Light snacks will be provided during every in person meeting The program begins in September 2025 and concludes April 2026 with a reception for students and their families.

  • August 25th – Information Night 7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (conducted via Zoom. This is a chance for students and / or families to ask questions about the program before committing.
  • August 29th – Application due
  • September 5, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Camp Adventure.) Gathering / Retreat
  • September 8, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Innovation Connector) Learning About You
  • September 15, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Innovation Connector) Discovering Issues
  • September 22,  7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Innovation Connector) Setting Expectations & Sharing Issues
  • September 29, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (location TBD) Conflict and Selecting Your Issue
  • October 6 – FALL BREAK
  • October 20,  7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Innovation Connector) Pitch Your Issue
  • October 27 , 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Innovation Connector) Mission Statement and Project Goals
  • November 3,  7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  (Innovation Connector) To-Do’s and Timelines
  • November 10, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Innovation Connector) Group Worknight
  • November 17, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (location TBD) Pitch Proposal

Spring Semester

The program will resume in late January and conclude in mid April, with meetings continuing on Monday nights.

Who’s In Charge?

This program is a collaboration between Ball State University Teachers College, Muncie Central, Muncie Burris, and Shafer Leadership Academy.

Muncie Central Social Studies Teacher Mr. Adam Cunningham, Muncie Burris Science Teacher Mrs. Amy Miller, Indiana Academy Assistant Teaching Professor of English Dr. Josh Myers along with Shafer Leadership Academy Executive Director Mitch Isaacs serve as the staff team.

What Do Previous Participants Say?

Every year we survey the students and families involved with the program. Our program is consistently ranked as highly impactful by students and their families. 

Click to see the feedback from last year’s students and families!

Application (due 8/30)

Fill out my online form.