Young Leaders Institute

Community Exploration and Leadership Development
Young Leaders Institute (YLI) offers high school sophomores an opportunity to explore their community and learn leadership lessons along the way. The program empowers students to have two-way conversations with business and community leaders about issues that matter to them.

Program days consist of speakers and tours of Richland County’s most interesting places. A service project will empower students to help further the mission of a nonprofit.

Students expand their own values, philosophies, and beliefs while learning alongside classmates from different schools.

Who should apply?
Sophomores enrolled in any Richland County school or homeschool during the 2024-2025 school year who want to learn more about Richland County and grow as leaders.

Mission
To provide Richland County high school sophomores with training that will cultivate leadership development, inform career decisions, and foster civic engagement.

What to expect

• Learn and apply the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process and Enable Others to Act
• Explore Richland County’s businesses, healthcare systems, local governments, and attractions.
• Broaden your understanding of opportunities in Richland County while learning how you can be involved.
• Establish a network of friends among a diverse group of students throughout Richland County.
• Develop a personal commitment to become involved with projects and organizations in your community.

What will I experience on a typical day?
A Young Leaders Institute program day is designed to incorporate many different learning styles with discussions, experiential activities, panels, and business tours. Here is an agenda for a typical day:
9:15 a.m. – Arrive at starting location
9:30 a.m. – Talk with mayor(s) at City Hall
10:30 a.m. – Tour a business and eat lunch
11:30 a.m. – Tour a healthcare organization or nonprofit
12:30 p.m. – Visit an area attraction
1:30 p.m. – Program concludes

Facilitator

Angie Cirone, MA
Director, Mansfield-Richland Area Educational Foundation

Angie Cirone serves as the Mansfield-Richland Area Educational Foundation Director. She facilitates programs to meet the needs of our growing region. She enjoys building relationships with leaders and forming partnerships with organizations. 

Before joining the Chamber, Angie worked in revenue-generating leadership roles at Richland Source and Source Brand Solutions. She also worked for Ashland Theological Seminary, Cleveland State University and John Carroll University in fundraising, sales, and programming roles. 

Originally from the Cleveland area, Angie moved to north central Ohio in 2014. She serves on the board of directors for the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society and United Way of Ashland County.  

Class of 2024 Application Information

Participants

A maximum of 45 participants will be selected annually from any Richland County school or homeschool.

Selection

Candidates selected for the program will possess a sincere commitment, motivation, and interest to develop leadership skills and serve the Richland County community during their high school years.
A selection committee will review all completed applications and select those applicants who have demonstrated commitment, leadership ability, and a desire to serve their community.

Tuition

This program is free for students. Richland County Youth and Family Council and corporate sponsors fund the program.

Commitment

Young Leaders Institute requires that a student have the full support of the school district he or she represents. To graduate from Young Leaders Institute, a participant must attend all but one program day.

Apply Today

Applications for the class of 2024-2025 due by Friday, September 13, 2024. Applicants will be notified of an admissions decision by Friday, September 20, 2024.