LEONARDTOWN, Md. – Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) and Stella’s Girls, Inc. are accepting applications for the 2026 Teen Leadership Academy presented by Stella’s Girls, Inc., a premier youth leadership development program designed to educate, empower, and inspire the next generation of Southern Maryland leaders.
The week-long Academy will take place July 27–31, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the College of Southern Maryland’s Hughesville Regional Campus. It is open to students entering grades 9 through 12 who reside in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties. Applications are due Friday, June 19, 2026.
“Leadership doesn’t begin when someone earns a title,” said Dr. Sybol Anderson, Executive Director of Leadership Southern Maryland. “It begins when a young person begins to see themselves as someone who can make a difference. Teen Leadership Academy is about helping young people understand their strengths, use their voices, recognize the positive impact they can have on the world around them, and find their paths to that impact.”
LSM’s Teen Leadership Academy offers a unique opportunity for students to engage in hands-on leadership development, team-building activities, community engagement experiences, and college and career readiness programming. Participants gain direct exposure to influential community leaders from across Southern Maryland, learning firsthand about leadership in government, business, education, healthcare, public safety, nonprofit organizations, and civic life.
Through interactive workshops, site visits, panel discussions, service projects, and networking opportunities, students build meaningful connections with regional leaders while developing the confidence, skills, and relationships necessary to become effective leaders in their schools, communities, and future careers.
“What makes this Academy unique is that students won’t just learn about leadership in a classroom,” said Kaprece James, MPA, President and CEO of Stella’s Girls, Inc. “They practice leadership, in part by interacting directly with the leaders shaping Southern Maryland every day.These experiences help young people see what is possible for their future while building the confidence and connections needed to lead with purpose.”
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
Students will leave the Academy with a broader understanding of Southern Maryland’s opportunities and challenges, a stronger professional network, enhanced leadership skills, and a clearer vision for how they can contribute to their communities as future leaders.
Tuition for the program is $1,400, which includes all instructional programming, materials, meals, transportation, facility expenses, and experiential learning activities throughout the week. Financial assistance is available to help ensure that qualified students have access to the program regardless of financial circumstances.
“The Academy is intentionally designed as a comprehensive leadership experience,” said Perliter Walters-Gilliam, Principal Consultant at NBBE Consulting and member of the Leadership Southern Maryland Board of Directors. “Our goal is to remove barriers to civic participation and provide high-quality programming that exposes Southern Maryland youth to opportunities, experiences, and mentors that can influence their lives for years to come.”
The Teen Leadership Academy is part of Leadership Southern Maryland’s broader commitment to developing leaders at every stage of life and strengthening the future of Southern Maryland through education, collaboration, and civic engagement.
Interested students and families can learn more and apply online at https://bit.ly/2026TLA.
Program Details
Dates: July 27–31, 2026
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12
Location: College of Southern Maryland Hughesville Regional Campus
Tuition: $1,400 (financial assistance available)
Application Deadline: June 19, 2026
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.