High School Students Programming
Our commitment is to the development of young Mississippi leaders, Southerners, and non-Southerners alike.
“My experience in the Trent Lott Leadership Institute's summer programs was immense when I made my college decision. The program provided me with unparalleled insight into the aspirations this place has for its students, the connections it gives its students, and the opportunities students in the institute have at their disposal. All of this compiled with a sublime group of individuals made such an impact on me that I wanted to come back and be a part of it at the university level.”
Andrew Harrison Foxworth
Summer Program Participant
Our commitment is to the future
A fundamental (and foundational) part of this commitment is formed through our high school programs, offered in partnership with The University of Mississippi’s Division of Outreach and Pre-College Programs.
The high school programs currently offered by the Trent Lott Leadership Institute serve a variety of groups, including Mississippians entering high school, students entering their senior year of high school, student body presidents, and students engaged in their communities in non-traditional ways.
My Experience
“The Lott Leadership Institute for Rising 12th Graders truly changed my path to college for the better. As a junior in high school, I had no idea what a career in public policy leadership could look like. After participating in the Lott Leadership Institute for Rising 12th Graders, I saw how the Trent Lott Leadership Institute develops young people who want to be positive change agents in any field, from state government to nursing to engineering. The program introduced me to alumni working as legislators, lobbyists, attorneys, and nonprofit leaders in every sector, and by engaging with these leaders I was able to discover how to turn my own academic interests into a career. I left the program knowing that earning a degree in public policy leadership through the Lott Leadership Institute would prepare me to be a leader in any setting.”
Grace Dragna
Yearly Programs
We offer programs throughout the summer to all levels of high school students. If you are interested in getting involved with the Trent Lott Leadership Institute, come join us this summer.
Lott Leadership Institute for Rising 9th Graders
SPONSORED BY THE TRENT LOTT LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE AND DIVISION OF OUTREACH
Session Dates: July 7-18, 2025
FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING THE RISING 9TH GRADE PROGRAM, PLEASE CONTACT:
Office of Pre-College Programs
precollege@olemiss.edu
(662) 915-7621
Learn more at the Office of Pre-College Programs!
Lott Leadership Institute for Rising 12th Graders
SPONSORED BY THE TRENT LOTT LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE AND DIVISION OF OUTREACH
Session I: May 25 – June 27, 2025
Session II: June 22 – July 25, 2025
FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING THE RISING 12TH GRADE PROGRAM, PLEASE CONTACT:
Summer College for High School Students
Office of Pre-College Programs
summercollege@olemiss.edu
(662) 915-7621
Learn more at the Office of Pre-College Programs!
Since the Lott Summer Leadership Institute for Rising 12th Graders was initiated in the summer of 2000 at The University of Mississippi, hundreds of students have expressed enthusiasm for the life-altering experience of participating in the Summer Leadership Institute. If you are a junior in high school who is interested in leadership, we have a question for you: Are you ready — for an experience that could change your life?
Pathways to Leadership
SPONSORED BY THE TRENT LOTT LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE AND DIVISION OF OUTREACH
As part of our commitment to supporting a future generation of leaders at the local, state, and national levels, the Lott Institute also provides leadership conferences for high school leaders. At our Pathways to Leadership Conference, experienced faculty members bring campus programming to students in communities across the South—uniting high school and community leaders with opportunities at the University. The 2025 Conference will be held March 21-23, 2025.
For more information, please contact Pre-College Programs.
Emerging Leaders
SPONSORED BY THE TRENT LOTT LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE AND DIVISION OF OUTREACH
2024 Dates for Emerging Leaders Retreat:
December 6-8, 2024
The Emerging Leaders workshop retreat is a weekend of break-out sessions examining leadership principles, local leadership, civic engagement, and networking with other high school student leaders from across the state. We will also host a student leadership panel comprised of current University of Mississippi student government and service organization members.
The Emerging Leaders workshop retreat is for juniors and seniors who are leaders of any Mississippi high school.
Learn more at the Office of Pre-College Programs!
What Students are Saying
“Before attending the Emerging Leaders program in December of my senior year, I did not view The University of Mississippi as an option. Through the programming, especially the current students panel, I began to see how much The University of Mississippi and especially the Lott Leadership Institute had to offer. My experience with Emerging Leaders encouraged me to connect with my Ole Miss admissions counselor, Shelby-Rae, who guided me through the application process. While my [Stamps] scholarship offer and acceptance to the Public Policy Leadership program were the primary reasons I decided to attend The University of Mississippi, I would have never applied had I not attended the Emerging Leaders program.”
—Juan Ramon (J.R.) Riojas
In the News
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Trent Lott Leadership Institute's Rising 9th Graders Visit Grenada
(August 13, 2024) GRENADA, Miss. – Fifty-two incoming high school freshmen from Mississippi and surrounding states took a one-day outing to Grenada, taking a deep dive into the inner workings of local government during a University of Mississippi summer program.
Read the Story
Campus Partners
Division of Outreach and Continuing Education
The mission of the Division of Outreach and Continuing Education is to serve the University and the community by facilitating and providing high-quality learning experiences.
Department of Public Policy Leadership
The Department of Public Policy Leadership provides a challenging undergraduate major that prepares high-performing students for positions of leadership in an increasingly complex world. The interdisciplinary program emphasizes the global nature of responsible decision making, the ethical imperatives of leadership, critical thinking, communication skills, and the conceptual and methodological skills necessary for careful policy analysis.