2025 COE Future Leaders Summit

The Council for Opportunity in Education is hosting a Future Leaders Summit for current college sophomores and juniors on April 13-17, 2025, in Washington, D.C. This event aims to prepare participants to pursue leadership roles and professional careers related to advocacy and public policy. Students can expect to gain strategies for improving leadership skills, strengthening communication skills, and gaining tools for career success. Additionally, students will actively engage in policy analysis through research of case studies during team policy labs.

Student Information

First Name *

Last Name *

Home Mailing Address *

City *

State *

Zip Code *

Home Phone *

Cell Number *

Email *

Academic Year in College *

Sophomore

Junior

Current GPA *

College Major *

Expected Graduation Date *

What are your preferred pronouns? *

Race *

Ethnicity *

Accommodation Requests (please describe) *

T-Shirt Size *

College/University Information

The full name of the College/University (please do not abbreviate). *

College/University Street Address *

College/University City *

College/University State *

College/University Zip *

TRIO Program Staff Information

Type of TRIO Program *

Director First Name *

Director Last Name *

Director Email *

Director Office Phone *

Director Cell Number *

Name of the TRIO Program staff member who will be responsible for assisting students with registration and travel. *

Staff Member Email *

Staff Member Office Phone *

Staff Member Cell Number *

Application Questions

Please upload a PDF document answering the following question: What is your personal definition of leadership?

Please upload a PDF document addressing the following prompt: Please provide a detailed account of a situation in which you assumed a leadership role and what you learned from that experience.

Please upload a PDF document addressing the following: The Future Leaders Summit emphasizes preparing students to pursue leadership roles and professional careers related to advocacy and public policy. Explain why you are interested in advocacy and public policy.

Recommendations

We request that each applicant provide two recommendation letters: one from a TRIO staff member and the other from a faculty member who can attest to your leadership abilities.

TRIO Staff Member Recommendation Letter

Faculty Member Recommendation Letter

Releases

By signing, you are indicating that you as the applicant have the permission from your supporting TRIO Program Director to apply and possibly be selected to participate in the 2025 Future Leadership Summit. This will result in an invoice being generated in the amount of $1,800 per student to be paid by the supporting TRIO Program.

By signing this Authorization, I am stating that I have permission and support from my TRIO Program Director to apply and possibly be selected to participate. *

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In connection with the Council for Opportunity in Education’s National Student Leadership Congress I, and if I am is under eighteen (18) years of age, my parent or legal guardian (collectively referred to hereafter jointly and severally as the “Participant”), authorize the Council for Opportunity in Education and those acting pursuant to its authority to:

a. Record Participant’s image, likeness, and voice in any medium (the “Recording”);
b. Use Participant’s likeness, name, and voice in connection with the Recording;
c. Use, reproduce, publish, exhibit, or distribute in any medium the Recording for any purpose that the Council for Opportunity in Education deems appropriate, including promotional or advertising efforts; and
d. Revise, modify, or supplement the Recording.

No royalty, fee, or other compensation shall be payable to the Participant in connection with the Recording. Participant waives the right to inspect or review the Recording. Participant understands that the Recording, in whatever medium, shall be the property of the Council for Opportunity in Education. The Recording shall in no way be used in any manner other than for official Council for Opportunity in Education/TRIO business. Participant releases and forever discharges the Council for Opportunity in Education, their agents, employees, officers, and trustees, from any claim, action, demand, or liability that the Participant may have arising from or in connection with the Recordings and the Recording’s use, reproduction, display, distribution, or transmission.

I have carefully read and understood the above provisions and voluntarily agree to be bound by them. *

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The Council for Opportunity in Education (“COE”) will host an in-person Future Leadership Summit (FLS) for first-generation college students from TRIO programs across the United States and territories. In consideration for being permitted to participate in the FLS, a voluntary event, I agree to the following:

Rules of Behavior:

The student agrees to comply with the following set of rules of behavior:
1. Students will arrive on time for all the events outlined in the agenda and stay for the duration of the event.
2. In the event of an emergency, the student agrees to notify a staff member as soon as possible.
3. Students will fully commit to the FLS. This includes engaging in the FLS agenda that requires critical thinking and tactful responses, attending all events and sessions on time, completing all assignments, and contributing to all the group activities.
4. Students will, at all times, conduct themselves appropriately and respectfully including while engaging with the event staff members, American University Faculty/Staff, FLS participants, Members of Congress, or Congressional staff.
5. Students will dress in a manner that is appropriate and respectful of themselves and others.
6. Students will follow all directions given by event staff.
7. Students will not record any part of the FLS program, event staff, FLS participants, Members of
Congress, or Congressional staff.
8. Students will comply with all applicable laws and regulations and not engage in any of the following behaviors or like behaviors while participating in the FLS:
* Intoxication or use of alcohol
* Use of non-prescribed drugs or Tobacco/E-Cigarettes
* Use or possession of firearms
* Sexual activity
* Stealing or
* Unacceptable or disruptive behavior, including but not limited to loud or abusive behavior toward others, harassment of any type, or inappropriate language/statements such as racial or cultural slurs.
* Any damages, relocating, or removal of community property at American University
* Additional rules and expectations may be considered and may be established by staff. The student is also responsible for complying with any such additional rules and expectations.

The student understands and agrees that COE may, in its sole discretion, discipline or immediately dismiss the Student from the FLS for violation of any of the above rules.

Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability

The student assumes responsibility for all risks associated with their participation in FLS events and activities. Student further agrees to release and forever discharge COE, its agents, employees, officers, and trustees, from any claim, action, demand, or liability that they may have as a result of my participation in the FLS, unless due to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of COE.

I have carefully read and understood the above Agreement and voluntarily agree to be bound by it. *

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