Cedar Park Youth Leadership Academy

The Cedar Park Youth Leadership Academy is a nine-month leadership program for Leander ISD high school juniors and seniors. Through hands-on experiences, site visits, and conversations with local leaders, students gain a deeper understanding of their community while building leadership, communication, and civic engagement skills.

The program is open to Leander ISD high school juniors and seniors who are involved in a CTE Program.

The goal is to help students grow as leaders by exposing them to the people, industries, and institutions that shape Cedar Park and the surrounding region. Students gain a clear understanding of how business, government, healthcare, nonprofits, and community leadership all work together—while also building the awareness, skills, and connections needed to become part of the region’s future workforce.

The program runs from September through May and follows a monthly session format. Most class days are approximately 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

Students participate in themed sessions throughout the year, including:

• Chamber of Commerce Day
• Healthcare Day
• City Government Day
• State Government Day
• Non-Profit Day
• County Government Day
• Economic Development Day

Sessions are designed to be interactive and engaging. Students may tour local businesses, visit public institutions, meet community leaders, hear from professionals, and explore real-world career paths. For example, students visit places such as the Texas Capitol, Cedar Park City Hall, healthcare facilities, nonprofit organizations, and local employers.

Students are expected to attend all sessions and fully participate in the program. To graduate, participants may miss no more than one class absence (with approved excuse) during the program year. Tardies and partial-day absences count toward that total.

Students should have reliable transportation to designated meeting locations. For some sessions, the Chamber and Leander ISD may coordinate bus or group transportation when appropriate.

Yes. The Cedar Park Youth Leadership Academy is modeled after the Chamber’s Leadership Cedar Park program and mirrors its structure by offering site visits, interactive sessions, and real-world leadership development opportunities for younger participants.

Students complete an application and submit a 300–500 word cover letter or short essay explaining why they would be a great fit for the program and what they hope to gain from the experience.

According to the current application materials, applications are due by May 9, and selected applicants are notified by May 19.

Students are expected to attend a mandatory orientation, be on time, stay engaged, follow program guidelines, and represent themselves, their school, and the program in a professional manner. Cell phones should be turned off during session times except during breaks or emergencies.

This program gives students the chance to grow in confidence, build leadership skills, make valuable connections, and gain firsthand exposure to careers, civic leadership, and community issues. It is a strong opportunity for students who want to challenge themselves and become more involved in their communities.

The Cedar Park Youth Leadership Academy is a program of the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce Foundation, offered in partnership with Leander ISD. The program is supported by community partners and sponsors, including Hanyang ENG as presenting sponsor.

For more information, contact the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce at 512-260-7800 or reach out to Andrea Kornegay at Andrea@CedarParkChamber.org.