McConnell Center welcomes inaugural Civic Leadership Institute cohort

The McConnell Center at the University of Louisville is pleased to host 20 high-achieving sophomore and junior-level high school students from across Kentucky for a selective, yearlong experience designed to prepare young citizens for an active role in civic life. Participants were selected based on their strong academic records and their expressed interest in civic and social studies-related career fields. 

"It is refreshing to see so many of our young citizens taking an active role in broadening their civic education," said Meghan Waters, Director of External Education at the McConnell Center. "We will work to equip these students with the tools and skills they will need to be informed, engaged leaders in civic life and to positively shape the future for Kentucky and for America." 

The institute consists of six immersive Saturday sessions over the course of the academic year, as well as a summer leadership experience. Students will participate in a variety of activities, including mock trials, legislative debates, policy-making challenges, and diplomatic crisis simulations. They will also engage in advocacy projects addressing real-world issues while developing leadership and communication skills. 

Throughout the program, students will be exposed to careers in law, government, public policy, history, economics, international relations, journalism, social studies, education, and public service. Students will use the knowledge, experience, and leadership skills gained to prepare for future careers in civic and social studies-related fields. 

This program is offered in partnership with the Center for Gifted Studies at Western Kentucky University. Dr. Justin Mitchell, a former McConnell Center Teacher Scholar and award-winning social studies educator with more than 15 years of classroom experience, has spearheaded the initiative.  

Sophomore participants: 

David Abatu (duPont Manual High) 

Allyson Acuna (South Oldham High) 

Elizabeth Besik (Mercy Academy) 

Stella Van Gansbeke (Assumption High) 

Christopher Helton-Weick (Meade County High) 

Emily Howton (George Rogers Clark High) 

Cara Meade (Garrard County High) 

Vinaya Rajanee (Ballard High) 

Skylar Rutherford (Harlan County High) 

Blake Spaulding (Frankfort High) 

Junior participants: 

Chenumi Abeysinghe (Highlands High) 

Carter Anderson (Ashland Paul Blazer High) 

Harper Jennejohn (Bullitt Central High) 

Ethan Koster (Newport High) 

John Kurtz (Owensboro Catholic High) 

Stephen Luke Matthies (Ashland Paul Blazer High) 

Ella McIntosh (duPont Manual High) 

Nishtha Patel (Atherton High) 

Rosemarie Purtell (Covington Latin) 

Benedict Thacker (St. Albertus Magnus Academy)