2024 Summer Leadership Academy Welcomes Over 140 Rising High School and Future Innovators

 This summer, Mercy University’s School of Business (SBUS) welcomed high school seniors from all over the world for its annual Summer Leadership Academy. The 2024 Summer Leadership Academy was attended by an all-time high number of 142 rising high school seniors during three sessions: June 23rd-29th, July 7th-13th, and July 21st-27th. Through the efforts of the SBUS faculty, participants explored future career options, gained valuable skills, created connections with other aspiring entrepreneurs, and got to network with Fortune 500 companies like Bloomberg, J.P. Morgan, Deloitte, Google, and NBC Universal.

“Mercy’s commitment to the development of the future leaders of business enterprises can be seen within this initiative” said Mahmud Wazihullah, professor of business and director of the Business Honors Program.

Founded in 2012 by Wazihullah and other SBUS faculty members, the Summer Leadership Academy was designed to help rising high school seniors hone the essential skills and knowledge to prepare them for rewarding business careers. Since then, the program has grown from a small summer meet-up to a thriving academic program with global appeal. The competition is fierce, with about 400 applicants each year vying for approximately 46 spots in the three week-long sessions.

This year’s Summer Leadership Academy took place on the Westchester and Manhattan campuses. Participants hailed from all over the U.S. as well as Malaysia, Dubai, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Romania, and Canada. During the program, participants enhanced their overall business skills through introductory business planning, marketing, and analytics classes. Group activities helped them engage with their peers and the professors through activities, including visiting the United Nations and the business plan competition, called Shark Tank, after the popular reality show.

The week-long Shark Tank competition, conducted by Professor Robert Bohn, director of entrepreneurship, featured eight teams of students working cohesively to pitch a brand-new service they created during the first meeting. The top teams won prizes, as well as the admiration of the Professors and other students!

Every participant receives a faculty mentor, a key component of the program’s success. This summer, the three faculty mentors were professors Bohn, Wazihullah and Susan Cooper. Participants were encouraged to ask questions, brainstorm ideas, and discover more about business careers from someone who had made their way to the top.

Another key feature is the presence of Student Ambassadors—alumni of the Summer Leadership Academy and students in the Business Honors Program who return to campus to serve as peer advisors. Four Ambassadors are invited to join each cohort, living in the residence halls and participating in most activities while sharing their experiences and offering encouragement.

"This program is not just a fantastic opportunity for students to network and learn, but it is also an opportunity for us as ambassadors to meet incredibly bright young adults who have a passion for business," said Onnika DeBruhl, student ambassador in one of the program's sessions.

“From understanding the fundamentals of marketing and creating and pitching our own Shark Tank products to exploring Manhattan and visiting Bloomberg, the Mercy faculty and staff ensured that the students have a complete and enriching experience,” said Jackson Chretien, one of the participants.

“Over this past week, I’ve gained clarity on my future decisions. Since I stepped foot on campus, it felt like home, and I fell in love. From the professors, business honors family, and the amazing environment at Mercy, I finally found my home away from home. Thank you all for providing this unbelievable opportunity”, said Kayla Heenan, another participant.

“I am so thankful for the opportunity to spend my week learning, talking, and collaborating with my professors and peers throughout the program. Every one of them made the week more rewarding,” said participant Sarah Guadagnino.

Associate Director of Business Operations Sofia Cialicu played a critical role in making this program run smoothly and ensuring students had a wonderful experience at Mercy. Victor Petenkemani, dean of the School of Business, along with Wazi, Cooper, Bohn, and Cialicu, thank the future Mavericks students who participated in the Summer Leadership Academy Programfor the opportunity to show them the true mission and value of the school and university.

For more information about applying to next year’s series, visit the Summer Leadership Academy website or contact Professor Mahmud Wazihullah or Coordinator Sofia Cialicu.

2024 Summer Leadership Academy participants at Deloitte offices (1), at Mercy's Manhattan Campus (2) and Mercy's Neil Judge Student Athlete Center in the Westchester Campus (3).