Students from four National Christian School Association (NCSA) schools attended the 2024 Presidential Leadership Institute July 7-13, hosted by York University. With 24 student participants and 6 sponsors representing schools in Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee, the campus was blessed by the week-long training and leadership program. The Presidential Leadership Institute, now in its tenth year, is a joint effort of York University, Strata Leadership, and the NCSA to help students work in collaboration to address real-world challenges. The themes of faith, service, character, and leadership are woven together to challenge and inspire future leaders for a lifetime.

Student leadership teams experience a week of inspiration provided by CEOs, authors, York University faculty, public servants, and other influential figures. This year’s speakers included Dr. Nathan Mellor, CEO of Strata Leadership and author; Dr. Steve Eckman, chancellor at York University and interim president at Bethany College; Dr. Jim Ice, founder of NorthStar Learning; Ms. Tami Heim, CEO of Christian Leadership Alliance; Dr. Jared Pack, associate professor of history and chair of the history department at York University and executive director of Presidential Leadership Institute; Mr. Thomas Hill, CEO of Kimray, Inc; Ms. Amy Mason, executive director at The Kimmell Foundation for Recovering Leadership; Mr. Jared Stark, interim president and vice president for advancement at York University; Senator Greg Adams, former state senator and speaker of the Nebraska Unicameral; Dr. Sue Crawford, city administrator of York, Neb.; Ms. Roni Miller, vice president for enrollment at York University; Mr. Glenn Dallmann, worship and family minister at East Hill Church of Christ; Ms. Joanna Carver, school counselor and media specialist for McCool Junction Public Schools; and Mr. Howard Todd, owner of Silver Fox Travels and retired K-12 administrator.

On Tuesday, students enjoyed a trip to Abilene, Kan. to tour the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum. They also traveled to Lincoln, Neb. on Thursday to tour the Nebraska State Capitol Building. 

The experience empowers students to make lasting changes on their campuses in the upcoming school year. Each team comes up with a proposal to improve their school, then work throughout the week on solutions and strategies. The climax of the week is a TED Talk-style presentation from each student team, laying out the plan they will implement at their school.

The week ended with a banquet to celebrate the week of hard work. The evening was especially meaningful to Sania Smith from Mount Dora Christian Academy, Annabelle Long from Foundation Christian Academy, Mckenzie Hawley from Clarksville Christian School and Kenzie Cooper from Clarksville Christian School, who were recognized with the Howard Todd Servant Leadership Scholarship Award. The full-tuition scholarship to York University is given annually to the PLI students who best demonstrate leadership and character.

Ten York University students served as mentors throughout the week of PLI. The NCSA schools represented were Clarksville Christian Academy (Clarksville, Tenn.), Foundation Christian Academy (Bowling Green, Ky.), Mount Dora Christian Academy (Mt. Dora, Fla.), and Snook Christian Academy (Foley, Ala.).