Youth Leadership Institute

The Cohen Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies’ Youth Leadership Institute is a residential program for high school leaders for a week on the campus of Keene State College. Experts from the field of Holocaust and Genocide Studies will coach students to apply ideas from peace studies and conflict resolution to their own lives and communities.

We aim to introduce students to challenging subject matter in a pre-college environment alongside practical leadership skills. Students will create a final project at the conclusion of the week that can be enacted in their own community or school. This program is a good fit for those who hope to work in education, community organizing, or simply students who hope to inspire others in their community. Students in service clubs, such as Key Club or InterACT, and student leaders are especially encouraged to apply.

The program will be held the week of July 12th in 2026. Applications open on January 5, 2026, and close on April 6, 2026. Decisions will be sent out by April 24, 2026.

Please send any questions or inquiries to coheninstitute@keene.edu.