Leadership Institute
Learn the skills and tools it takes to lead and inspire.
The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Leadership Institute is an unforgettable experience for high school students. The Leadership Institute offers students an outlet for enhancing their ability to inspire and influence people in reaching a collective goal before they begin their collegiate careers. Personal growth, exploration and reflection promote students who will be prepared to make a difference in their communities and create positive change in the world.
At a Glance
2026 Dates: Week of June 7-12 and week of June 21-26
Program Length: Sunday – Friday, overnight
Who Can Apply?: Current 9th – 12th grade students
Tuition: $3,500
*Tuition is subject to change per year
Location: Winston-Salem, NC – Wake Forest University Reynolda Campus
*Courses carry no secondary school or college credit. Upon completion of the program, an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion will be awarded to all Leadership Institute participants.
What You’ll Experience
Topics Covered:
- Relationship Development, Self and Social Awareness, and Team Dynamics
- Personal Brand Management and Communication
- Understanding Failure Tolerance and How to Build Resilience
- Cultural Awareness, Diversity, and Equity
Hands-On Experiences:
- Participate in team-building by challenging yourself and leading your peers
- Work with Wake Forest faculty and staff to develop your personal leadership skills
- Learn from professionals from various industries to glean leadership lessons in practice
- Serve with local nonprofit organizations
- Develop your resume and discover your strengths
*Hands-on experiences are subject to change.
A Day in the Life
Typical Daily Schedule
- 8:00 am – Morning Meeting and Breakfast
- 9:00 am – Welcome and Program Introduction
- 9:30 am – Workshop: Building Your Personal Brand
- 10:30 am – Guest Speaker: Authentic Leadership – Beyond Your Brand
- 11:30 am – Lunch
- 12:30 pm – Workshop: Who You Are and How You Lead
- 1:30 pm – Articulating Your Leadership Style
- 2:00 pm – Leading at the College Level – Panel With College Students
- 3:00 pm – Case Study: Leadership in Action Breaking Boundaries – Team Building and Conflict Management Exercise
- 4:30 pm – Debrief for the Next Day
- 5:00 pm – Dinner
- 6:30 pm – Evening Activities
- 7:30 pm – Free Time
- 9:00 pm – Prepare for Bed
- 10:30 pm – Lights Out
*The “A Day in the Life” sample schedule is subject to change.
Meet the Academic Leader
Marcus Sanderlin, MA
Academic Leader, Leadership Institute
Marcus Sanderlin serves as the Director of Leadership Engagement at Wake Forest University. With a passion for empowering students and professionals to thrive as leaders, he challenges individuals to explore the “why” behind their “what” as they build lives and careers centered around their sense of purpose. His work spans from coaching college students through career navigation and professional development to educating college leaders and community members on strategies for life design and career advancement. He currently drives strategy at Wake Forest to empower emerging student leaders, as they gain skills and competencies that position them to have a meaningful impact on the world around them, both during and after their time at Wake Forest. Prior to his current role, Sanderlin spent over 13 years leading career development strategies and supporting students as they navigated the career exploration process.
As a motivator, educator, and career coach, Marcus Sanderlin strives to serve as an advocate for holistic leadership development and professional elevation.
Marcus Sanderlin holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Arts in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University.
