Our Program
Rationale
In today's fast-paced world, young people are bombarded with constant noise and distractions that drown out the voice of God. The influence of technology and the weight of societal expectations can create a sense of overwhelming pressure, making it difficult for individuals to find clarity and purpose in their lives.
The Student Leadership Academy (SLA) at the University of Indianapolis offers a unique opportunity for students to step away from the chaos and focus on discovering their true calling and reconnect with their spirituality. By participating in SLA, students can break free from the preconceived notions of different cultures and languages, fostering relationships built on mutual respect and understanding rather than fear and misunderstanding.
Through the program, students will not only enhance their cultural awareness and emotional intelligence but also gain valuable insights into overall wellness, all while being guided by the fundamental principle of God's love. SLA provides a supportive environment where young individuals can grow, learn, and thrive, setting them on a path towards a more fulfilling and purposeful life.
Our Story
The Student Leadership Academy is a specialized program aimed at guiding high school students in discovering their vocation. Vocation, in this context, is defined as finding a sense of purpose in life or contemplating a calling.
While vocation is often linked to ministry, the Academy takes a broader approach by encouraging students to explore their vocation through service, whether it be in a religious setting or in any other field.
This unique initiative is run by the Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Programs at the University of Indianapolis, in collaboration with the INUMC. The program is inclusive and welcomes students from all religious backgrounds or those who do not identify with any faith tradition. It provides a platform for young individuals to reflect on their future aspirations through the lens of service, fostering a spirit of giving back to the community.
The Student Leadership Academy is made possible through the generous support of the HSYTI grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., as well as contributions from the University of Indianapolis and the INUMC. This funding enables the Academy to offer high school students a valuable opportunity to delve into the concept of vocation, guiding them towards a path of self-discovery and meaningful engagement with the world around them.
Week 1:
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Check-in: Monday July 22
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Check-out: Friday July 26
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Summer Camp Details
The Student Leadership Academy 2024 summer camp is centered around the powerful message of Jesus' teaching: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31). This camp takes a deliberate and thoughtful approach to engaging with others while also prioritizing self-care. The main goal is to inspire students to embrace a ministry of community building.
Throughout the camp, students are encouraged to foster connections and build bridges between different communities. The camp curriculum focuses on three essential building blocks: wellness, cultural fluency, and empowering leadership. By nurturing self-love, understanding and appreciating different cultures, and developing leadership skills, students are equipped to take meaningful action and make a positive impact in their communities.
Connect with God:
At SLA, we view the entire experience as a chance to connect with God, who remains significant in our daily lives. It's a purposeful period to develop a deeper, more personal relationship with God. This motivates students to turn their encounter into meaningful actions.
Engage with the Other
In today's interconnected world, it is essential for students to develop cultural fluency to succeed and connect with diverse groups. Misunderstandings often arise from unquestioned assumptions, especially when cultural disparities are involved. SLA promotes students to step out of their cultural bubble and interact with those from different backgrounds, a crucial move in embodying Jesus' message of loving thy neighbor.
Explore College Life
The University of Indianapolis is the setting for the camp, where students can experience a glimpse of university life. College students will act as mentors, forming connections with participants and nurturing a mentoring bond. Indianapolis itself will serve as the classroom, with students alternating between classroom activities and outdoor adventures.
Grow
Student Leadership Academy is carefully crafted to empower every youth to discover their unique talents and abilities. It serves as a nurturing environment where meaningful connections are formed, and essential life skills such as resilience, honesty, and collaboration are cultivated.
Wellness
In the fast-paced world we live in today, the importance of wellness is frequently underestimated, leading to increased levels of anxiety and limiting the growth opportunities for the youth. At SLA, students are provided with the tools to develop their social-emotional intelligence through an extensive workshop that spans an entire day, led by the experienced professionals from the UIndy Student Counseling Center.
Resident Theologian
Each year, SLA extends an invitation to a prominent religious figure to take on the role of Resident Theologian (RT), guiding students through lessons on cultural fluency, socio-emotional intelligence, and wellness, all rooted in the teachings of the bible. The RT plays a crucial role in helping students delve into their spiritual journey, discover their calling, and gain the confidence to translate their newfound knowledge into meaningful actions.
The Team
Emily Krach
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT - YOUNG LEADERS AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Emily Krach is a part of the Leadership Development team, specifically working with young leaders. This also includes working closely with adults who support young people. She is a veteran youth leader with a passion for empowering and developing leaders of all ages for the sake of the next generation of the church.
She attended Huntington University for her undergrad in Youth Ministry and Indiana Wesleyan University for her Masters in Organizational Leadership. Currently, she is a mentor within Fort Wayne Community Schools.
Emily has been a part of the United Methodist Church all her life and is a native Hoosier now residing in Fort Wayne where she can have her nieces and nephews in her home regularly. She finds great joy in walking her dog (Bear), exploring parks, and sitting near a body of water.
Arionne Lynch
Arionne earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development, with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development with Music (voice) minor, from Howard University in 2005. She continued her studies at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and completed a Master of Divinity, with a concentration in Music Ministry, in 2008.
Upon graduation, she was awarded the prestigious Myrtle Saylor Seer Award for Commitment to the Expansion of Women in Scholarship and Ministry. After seminary, she pursued and completed the Certification in Youth and Theology at the Institute for Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary in 2009. She is an ordained elder in the Missouri Conference of the A.M.E. Zion Church and currently serves as University Chaplain and Director of the Lantz Center For Christian Vocation at the University of Indianapolis. There she oversees worship, teaches courses in Christian vocation, provides pastoral counseling to students, and leads university religious and interfaith activities and initiatives. She also serves as the Minister for Young Adults and Pastoral Leadership at Liberation A.M.E. Zion Church in Indianapolis, IN.
Chapel Staff
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE LANTZ CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN VOCATIONS
The University Chapel staff team, consisting of 10 UIndy students, plays a crucial role in guiding SLA. Participants are grouped by grade and assigned to small groups led by chapel staff members. While major activities are conducted as a whole group, small groups are designated for specific activities and for discussions at the conclusion of each day. This structure enables participants to reflect on the day's events with their peers effectively.