Kent State Stark hosts Youth Leadership Day

Kent State University at Stark hosted 40 high school juniors on campus March 18 for the seventh year of Junior Leadership Day. There were two students, one male and one female, from each of Stark County’s schools. A second group of sophomores attended a leadership day on April 8.

The college brings students together for an engaging and transformative Junior Leadership Day designed to cultivate leadership skills, spark curiosity and empower the next generation of community leaders.

The event is a partnership between the Youth Leadership Academy of Stark County and Kent State Stark. It is an immersive full-day program providing interactive workshops, team-building exercises and thought-provoking discussions led by university faculty, academic staff and members of the YLA leadership team.

Students explored key topics such as how to ask the right questions, problem-solving and decision-making, goal setting in college, effective leadership and excursions in microbiology. The student groups spent the day together, including a lunch break provided by the Youth Leadership Academy.

“Youth Leadership Academy Day is about empowering students to recognize their potential and equipping them with the tools to lead with confidence and purpose,” Dr. Bathi Kasturiarachi, Department of Mathematical Sciences at Kent State Stark, wrote in an email interview. “We are proud to host such a dynamic group of young leaders from our area high schools and provide them with a meaningful leadership experience.”

According to the National Society of Leadership and Success, such experiences help students develop confidence in expressing themselves and improve their ability to express their thoughts clearly and persuasively. Interacting with a diverse group of peers and mentors in a leadership program can help them improve their listening skills and understanding of different perspectives.

Dr. Kasturiarachi said throughout the event, students engaged in hands-on activities that challenged them to think critically and work collaboratively. Highlights included techniques of question formulation, problem-solving through leadership, small-group breakout sessions and a karaoke session. He added that for many students, the experience was both eye-opening and empowering.

“The YLA Day at Kent State Stark Campus taught us how great leaders ask the right questions,” Tristan Shuman, a Lake High School junior, said. “It made me realize that I haven’t been asking the right ones. YLA has pushed me out of my comfort zone and shown me what I’m capable of doing. I feel more confident about what it takes to lead others. We have had so many opportunities to learn from the amazing men and women who are pioneering the future of Stark County. It’s an honor to have been chosen to be a part of this program.”

Julia Kasper, program manager of Leadership Stark County and leader of the Youth Leadership Academy, was an instrumental co-organizer of the event.

“Programs like YLA, and days like our Kent State Stark junior experience, show students that leadership starts with curiosity,” Kasper said. “By engaging in experiential learning and asking better questions, they unlock stronger possibilities for their future.”

Dr. Kasturiarachi added that students typically complete a final activity they can take with them. In previous years, participants created individualized magnets for their lockers or designed posters in small groups. The YLA leadership team also follows up with students and engages them throughout the year with additional programming.

The Junior Leadership Day is part of Kent State Stark’s ongoing commitment to supporting youth development and strengthening connections with local schools and communities.

The Youth Leadership Academy is a multi-year experiential program provided by Leadership Stark County, a department of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce. Beginning in sophomore year, students participate in a three-year program designed to explore complex regional issues while connecting with leaders from business, government, education and civic organizations.

Throughout the program, students engage in hands-on experiences that build leadership skills, increase awareness of community challenges and encourage civic engagement. Sophomore year introduces students to Stark County and its key sectors, junior year focuses on leadership development and education, and senior year centers on service and community impact.