Leadership and Career Exploration Summer Academy in Orlando

Course Description: Leadership and Career Exploration Summer Academy in Orlando

Leadership & Career Academy - Orlando

This two-week summer program is designed for motivated high school students who want to explore future academic and career pathways while experiencing university life at the University of Central Florida (UCF). Through university-led seminars, practical leadership workshops, Disney Imagination Campus experiences, and Orlando-area excursions, students discover their strengths, build confidence, and begin shaping their future.

Students take part in a combination of:

• Leadership development through the themes of Lead Myself, Lead Others, and Lead the Community

• Major and career exploration led by UCF colleges

• Two facilitator-led Disney Imagination Campus workshops

• A team Leadership Case Study Capstone

• Campus, laboratory, career, cultural, and recreational experiences

Who This Program Is For

Designed for students ages 14-18, this program is ideal for those who:

• Are exploring potential university majors and career paths

• Want early exposure to U.S. university life

• Want to strengthen leadership, teamwork, communication, and decision-making skills

• Are interested in learning alongside students from different countries and cultures

• Want greater confidence and direction for future academic and career choices

Students ages 13 or 19 may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Program Experience

Students live and learn on the UCF campus in Orlando, combining university immersion with leadership development, career exploration, and cultural experiences. The program connects classroom learning with practical challenges so students can better understand their interests, strengths, and future options.

Throughout the program, students will:

• Experience life in a U.S. university environment

• Explore majors and careers through UCF college-led sessions

• Practice leadership through discussion, teamwork, and case studies

• See leadership and teamwork in action at Disney parks

• Build friendships in a multicultural student community

• Create a personal plan for continued growth

Academic Structure & Sample Timetable

The program follows a structured two-week schedule that balances academic learning, campus exploration, Disney experiences, group activities, and time to enjoy Orlando.

Mornings

• Leadership seminars

• UCF campus and laboratory visits

• Disney Imagination Campus workshops

• Personal Leadership Plan activities

Afternoons

• Major and career exploration seminars

• Leadership case-study discussions and project preparation

• Disney park experiences

• Cultural and recreational excursions

Evenings

• Social activities and team-building

• Talent-show preparation

• Group reflection and free time

Program Highlights

• UCF campus tour and university life experience

• Leadership the Disney Way at EPCOT

• Teamwork Program at Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Kennedy Space Center excursion

• UCF laboratory visit and Arboretum walk

• Leadership Case Study Capstone presentation

• Graduation and talent show

The schedule and participating speakers, colleges, laboratories, and activities are subject to final confirmation and may change because of availability, weather, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Leadership Development

The academic journey progresses from self-awareness to leading others and understanding a leader's broader impact.

Lead Myself

Students explore:

• Leadership identity and personal leadership style

• Emotional intelligence and self-awareness

• Individual strengths and areas for growth

• The kind of leader they want to become

Outcome: Students begin developing an individual Personal Leadership Plan.

Lead Others

Students practice:

• Active listening and effective communication

• Influence without formal authority

• Building psychologically safe teams

• Decision-making under uncertainty

Outcome: Students strengthen the skills needed to communicate, collaborate, and lead a team.

Lead the Community

Students examine:

• Ethics and leadership responsibility

• Leadership in the age of AI

• Global citizenship

• How leadership decisions affect organizations and society

Outcome: Students apply leadership frameworks to a real situation and defend an evidence-based team position.

Major & Career Exploration

UCF college-led sessions introduce students to university majors, learning experiences, and related career paths. In each session, students consider what they would study, how learning takes place, which careers connect to the field, and which personal strengths and interests may be a good fit.

Business and Entrepreneurship

Through UCF's College of Business, students explore fields such as:

• Business

• Finance

• Marketing

• Management

• Entrepreneurship

Health Sciences and Helping Professions

Through the College of Health Professions and Sciences, students explore pathways related to:

• Health sciences

• Human performance

• Communication disorders

• Social work

Hospitality, Events, and Entertainment

Through the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, students learn about majors and careers connected to:

• Hospitality and tourism

• Theme parks

• Event management

• Entertainment management

Engineering, Computer Science, and AI

Through the College of Engineering and Computer Science, students explore engineering and technology pathways through a college information session and visits to selected laboratories.

Disney Imagination Campus

Students participate in two facilitator-led educational workshops that demonstrate how leadership and teamwork are applied in real-world settings.

Leadership the Disney Way - EPCOT

Students examine how vision, communication, teamwork, and responsibility contribute to effective leadership, then connect those lessons to their own development.

Teamwork Program - Disney's Hollywood Studios

Students explore how strong teams communicate, collaborate, and solve problems while seeing these principles applied within a world-renowned organization.

Each workshop is paired with time to experience the park, helping students connect structured learning with observation and reflection.

Final Project & Program Outcomes

Working in teams, students research a real leadership situation, apply the frameworks introduced during the program, and defend an evidence-based position. The capstone concludes with a final presentation and a one-page position brief.

By the end of the program, students will take home:

• A Personal Leadership Plan reflecting their strengths, career interests, and future goals

• A completed Leadership Case Study Capstone

• Greater self-awareness and confidence

• Stronger communication, teamwork, decision-making, and reasoning skills

• More clarity about potential majors and career paths

• A Program Completion Certificate and Comprehensive Evaluation issued by UCF Global and Shorelight, including personalized academic feedback

University Life at UCF

Students experience authentic campus life while living and learning at the University of Central Florida. Residential students stay in air-conditioned UCF residence halls with double occupancy, internet access, laundry facilities, and provided linens. Three meals per day are included, and standard religious and medical dietary needs can be accommodated.

Students are supported by 24/7 program supervision while living and studying on campus.

Orlando Exploration & Social Life

Orlando is shaped by hospitality, technology, entertainment, and creative industries, making it an engaging setting for leadership and career exploration. Beyond the classroom, planned experiences may include:

• Kennedy Space Center

• Disney theme parks

• UCF Arboretum

• Beach relaxation

• Shopping and local exploration

• Sports, team-building activities, and a talent show

These experiences help students build independence, strengthen friendships, and enjoy Orlando as part of an international learning community.