TYPE
TOPIC
A new Youth Leadership Program is giving Superior High School students an opportunity to explore careers, build leadership skills and gain a deeper understanding of their community – all while helping shape the future of Douglas County.
Developed through the University of Wisconsin-Superior’s Center for Continuing Education, the program launched with 16 students and serves as a reimagined version of the long-running youth leadership initiative once coordinated by the Superior-Douglas County Area Chamber of Commerce.
“This year is our pilot year with Superior High School,” said Danielle Fagen, associate director for the Center for Continuing Education, who helped lead the program’s development. “Sixteen students was our minimum goal, and I think it’s a great number to start with.”
Organizers hope to expand participation in future years and eventually include students from school districts throughout Douglas County such as Maple and Solon Springs School Districts.
“The goal is that all of the county high schools have students in the program,” Fagen said.
REVIVING A PROVEN IDEA
After the predecessor program was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, the youth leadership program presented an opportunity for renewal. Recognizing its importance, chamber representatives collaborated with UW-Superior Continuing Education to help reimagine and relaunch the initiative.
“We’ve been working with Superior High School for the last two years on refreshing and reactivating it,” Fagen said.
The Chamber remains connected to the effort as a program sponsor and participant, helping maintain ties between the new program and its community roots.
For Fagen, the program is a natural extension of Leadership Superior Douglas County, the established leadership program for area professionals.
“It aligns really well with Leadership Superior Douglas County,” she said. “It seemed like a really good fit, and we already had a strong model to build from.”
LEADERSHIP BEYOND A TITLE
While students will spend time learning about industries and careers, organizers say leadership development remains at the heart of the experience.
Kathryn Guimond, director of the Center for Continuing Education, said the program encourages students to rethink what it means to be a leader.
“Our orientation is really about grounding them in what leadership is and recognizing that leadership isn’t just a title,” Guimond said. “There are lots of ways people can lead.”
Through discussions, activities and community-based projects, students explore both formal leadership roles and grassroots approaches to creating positive change.
The program also challenges participants to examine their relationship with the community itself.
“One of the things we’ll be asking students to think about is how they see Superior and Douglas County,” Guimond said. “What opportunities exist for young people? What gaps are there? How can they have influence in their community?”
EXPLORING CAREERS AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Throughout the year, students will spend time visiting organizations across the region, gaining firsthand exposure to businesses, nonprofits and public agencies.
For example, a health and human services program day will include visits to organizations such as Essentia Health and Douglas County Health and Human Services.
“They’ll be seeing how organizations operate but also learning about potential career paths that exist within those organizations and within our community,” Fagen said.
Each themed day is designed to introduce students to multiple organizations and sectors, helping them better understand both local career opportunities and the people working to strengthen the region.
Organizers say community partners have embraced the opportunity to participate.
“The responses were overwhelmingly positive,” Fagen said.
Guimond agrees.
“We knew people were busy, and we were asking them to show students what they do,” she said. “But there was really no resistance. People said, ‘We’re going to make this work. We want to make this work.’”
EARNING COLLEGE CREDIT
Another unique feature of the program is the opportunity for students to earn college credit.
Guimond said UW-Superior partnered with the university’s public leadership and changemaking program to create a one-credit academic component.
“It connects them with the university and with college-credit opportunities,” she said.
The addition strengthens the program’s educational value while helping students become more familiar with higher education pathways.
ACCESSIBLE TO ALL STUDENTS
From the beginning, organizers worked closely with Superior High School to make the program accessible to all interested students.
“Investing in our students through hands-on leadership and community connection is the best way to ensure a bright future for Superior and Douglas County,” said Amy Starzecki, district administrator for the School District of Superior. “We are thrilled to kick off this pilot year with UW-Superior and watch these young leaders grow.”
Rather than relying on nominations, the opportunity was shared by Starzecki with every sophomore at Superior High School, encouraging broad participation.
“We wanted to make this accessible for all students,” Guimond said.
That commitment has been supported by strong community investment.
Cenovus committed $10,000 annually for the next four years to support the program, while the Carlson Family Foundation is helping fund activities such as the students’ closing retreat.
The support helps ensure cost is not a barrier for participation and demonstrates widespread confidence in the program’s mission.
According to Guimond, the initiative aligns closely with Cenovus’ community priorities.
“It feels good to be doing something that a major organization in our community values and wants to support,” she said.
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
As the pilot year begins, organizers see the Youth Leadership Program as more than a series of field trips or leadership workshops. They view it as an investment in the next generation of community leaders.
By introducing students to local industries, encouraging civic engagement and helping them develop leadership skills, the program seeks to strengthen students’ connections to Douglas County while preparing them for future success.
With strong community support, college-credit opportunities and plans for future expansion, the program is already laying the foundation for a new generation of informed, engaged and empowered leaders.