Debate and Public Advocacy Institute
Speak up. Speak out. Make a statement. Build your confidence and skills; become arguably the best you can be.
The Debate and Public Advocacy Institute is an unforgettable summer experience for high school students. Spend one week this summer at Wake Forest University building confidence speaking, arguing, and learning to passionately advocate for yourself and others. Students will engage in discussions about current events and learn skills such as persuasion, legal reasoning, and the art of communication. Whether in the classroom, the boardroom, in your community or in the halls of Congress, students will enjoy applying advocacy skills in whichever environment their future takes them.
At a Glance
2027 Dates: Week of July 11-16, 2027 or Week of July 18-23, 2027
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 Debate and Public Advocacy Institute participants.
What You’ll Experience
Topics Covered:
- Fundamentals of Argument
- Rhetorical Tricks
- Finding Your Voice
- Social and Environmental Controversies
- “Greatest” Debaters and Speakers
Hands-on Experiences:
- Engage with guest speakers from business, politics, advertising and community organizations
- Practice speaking for self-empowerment
- Compete in debates on student-driven topics
- Participate in candid, live discussions about timely topics with peers
- Learn the preparation strategy for your next debate
*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 from Justin Green and Program Ambassadors
- 9:30 am – Mechanics of Speaking
- 10:30 am – Advocacy Group Guest Speaker
- 12:00 pm – Lunch
- 1:00 pm – Great Speeches throughout Time
- 2:00 pm – Debate Preparation
- 5:00 pm – Debrief for Next Day
- 5:30 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
Justin Green
Academic Leader, Debate and Public Advocacy Institute
Justin Green currently serves as the Head Coach for the Wake Forest Debate team and Professor of the Practice in Communication Studies. A secondary teacher by training and a debate and speaking coach by practice, Justin has combined these efforts to lead several workshops for students and teachers ranging from grades 3-16. He has coached the American Debate Association and Cross-Examination Debate Association National Champions as well as the six-time champion coach of the ACC. He is known for immense energy and an active classroom where students do more talking than “being quiet.” A graduate of Wake Forest University, Justin is excited to extend the campus to new guests each summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students participate in discussions about a variety of topics while developing skills in persuasion, legal reasoning, public speaking, argumentation, and communication. The institute emphasizes applying those skills in different environments, including classrooms, communities, and professional settings.
Students develop confidence in speaking and arguing while learning how to communicate ideas persuasively and advocate for themselves and others.
Yes. Students engage in discussions about current events as part of their exploration of advocacy, persuasion, legal reasoning, and communication. Students have the opportunity to choose their topic and stance for their final debate.
Students with all experience levels are welcome to attend, including those who have never done debate before. The program is presented as an opportunity to build confidence and develop advocacy and communication skills that can be applied across all fields.
The institute emphasizes applying communication and advocacy skills across settings such as the classroom, boardroom, community, and civic environments. These are great skills for all disciplines, particularly law, business, and policy.