The Lott Leadership Institute

24th Annual Summer Leadership Institute for High School Students

The Lott Leadership Summer Institute is a month-long dual credit program that offers high school juniors the opportunity to develop leadership skills and to realize their own potential as leaders.

Located within the University of Mississippi’s Summer College, this program brings together student leaders from across the United States to learn about real-world public policy issues and acquire public speaking and networking skills. The program affords them opportunities to create and present policy proposals of their own to a panel of experts as well as meet with national leaders for dialogue about contemporary issues. Students earn seven hours of college credits at the UM Oxford campus. 

The ideal candidate for the Lott Leadership Summer Institute is a student who shows a strong commitment to service and leadership with a genuine interest in public policy and civic engagement. Ideally, the candidate should be involved in school organizations, their community, or both.  

Traditionally, the program includes a visit to Washington, D.C. Detailed information and an itinerary will be shared during orientation.

Student Experiences


What Students are Saying

Former participants have shared their feedback with us. Take a look!


“I had a great experience. It was perfect in the sense of giving me a taste of college life, especially college work, which I had previously been very nervous about. The friendships I made will last forever. I am very happy I was selected to be a part of this program.”

Student ParticipantSummer 2017

“It was such an incredible experience. It made me go beyond my comfort zone and pushed me to places I never knew I could go.”

Student ParticipantSummer 2018

“Lott was a life-changing experience. I have grown as a student, leader, speaker, and overall person because of the experience. I will forever be grateful for the time I spent in Oxford this summer!”

Student ParticipantSummer 2018