Youth Leadership Institute
The Cohen Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies’ Youth Leadership Institute is a week-long residential program designed for high school students who aim to become compassionate, informed, and effective leaders.
2026 Youth Leadership Institute: “Genocide Studies and the Future of Ethical Leadership”
The 2026 Youth Leadership Institute will be hosted on campus at Keene State College from July 12-17, 2026. This year’s theme is Genocide Studies and the Future of Ethical Leadership, and the program will bring together young people from diverse backgrounds to explore how lessons from history and the modern day can guide their leadership into the future.
Throughout the week, students will engage with Holocaust and Genocide Studies experts, who will coach students to apply ideas from peace studies and conflict resolution to their own lives and communities. Through lectures, discussions, and interactive activities, students will explore the historical and social conditions that give rise to genocide, the warning signs of mass violence, and the international efforts to prevent it. These sessions will encourage critical thinking, empathy, and moral reflection to equip students with a deeper understanding of how the study of genocide can inform ethical leadership in today’s world.
Afternoons will be devoted to leadership workshops and community engagement sessions, where students will reflect on their own values, strengths, and goals as emerging leaders. Through case studies, reflective practice, and team-building activities, students will gain concrete tools for leading with empathy and building consensus. By the end of the week, students will learn how to transform ideas into action by designing a final project that reflects their passions and addresses a pressing issue in their own school or broader community.
Life on campus is an important part of the Institute, providing students with a taste of what college life is like. Studes will live in residence halls, share meals in Zorn Dining Commons, and form lasting friendships with students with common interests. To provide students with a break from heavier classroom material, evenings will be filled with activities such as bowling, ice cream socials, trivia, and a minor league baseball game, offering opportunities to relax and connect in a fun environment.
This program is a good fit for students who are interested in areas like education, community organizing, history, government – 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.
Additional Details and Application Timeline
-
As noted above, the 2026 Youth Leadership Institute will be held from July 12-17, 2026.
-
The program fee is $200; however, scholarships will be available to any student applying who has a financial need for support.
-
Applications will open on January 5, 2026, and close on April 6, 2026. Decisions will be sent out by April 24, 2026.
-
Please email the Cohen Institute team with any questions or inquiries.
Sample Daily Schedule
| Time | Scheduled Activity |
|---|---|
| Before 9 am | Breakfast at Zorn Dining Commons |
| 9 am - 12 pm | Academic Session: Genocide Risk Factors |
| 12 pm - 1 pm | Lunch at Zorn Dining Commons |
| 1 pm - 4 pm | Afternoon leadership session: The Power of Collaborative Leadership |
| 4 pm - 5:30 pm | Free time / Rest time |
| 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm | Dinner at Zorn Dining Commons |
| 6:30 pm - 9 pm | Group Evening Activity: Swampbats Minor League Baseball Outing |
| 10 pm | Curfew (lights out) |
