Summer Leadership Academy Peer Mentor Application

2026 Summer Leadership Academy Peer Mentor Application

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The Center for Women's Leadership is excited to host the Summer Leadership Academy at Mount Mary University, June 21 - June 26, 2026.

Application Instructions:
This application must be submitted in its entirety. Please review all sections carefully before submitting. The Peer Mentor application requires the following items:

This application has several components and must be completed in one session; your progress will not be saved if you refresh the page or try to come back to this application at a later time. We strongly recommend that you gather all of the necessary information and complete the required essays before starting the application. Once you've prepared the materials below, applying should only take about 10 minutes.

To complete this application, you will need several key pieces of information:

Complete all sections of the application.
Upload your student resume.
Upload your essay answering the prompts in the application.
Submit one letter of recommendation from an adult not related to you. The letter of recommendation can be uploaded onto this form or submitted to the Center for Women's Leadership at mmu-womenldr@mtmary.edu.
If applicable, submit a scholarship application. The scholarship applications can be found at the end of this form.
The application deadline is March 1, 2026

Peer Mentor Program Information:

The Peer Mentor Program empowers exceptional young women to take the next step in their leadership journey. Designed for graduates of the Summer Leadership Academy, this program provides students with hands-on opportunities to elevate their communication skills, mentorship and confidence.

Applications are required and early submission is strongly encouraged due to limited spots. Eligibility is open to current high school, college, and graduate students. The 2026 Summer Leadership Academy will have 10 Peer Mentor positions available among its 70 participants.

The responsibilities of a Peer Mentor are as follows:

Attend the mandatory Peer Mentor training on Thursday, June 18, 9 AM - 4 PM.
Serve as an energetic and enthusiastic volunteer to help participants succeed at the Summer Leadership Academy.
Develop and maintain relationships as well as provide assistance and support for participants.
Focus on a smooth transition and a sense of belonging.
Serve as a facilitator for small groups with your Peer and Adult Mentor partners.
Participate in all sessions and small group discussions.
Serve as a positive role model.
Lead students to and from sessions.
Assist with nightly check-ins, questions, and snacks.
Enforce the rules and code of conduct.

Summer Leadership Academy Program Information:

Mount Mary University's 2026 Summer Leadership Academy is a 6-day/5-night program where participants remain on campus for the duration of the Academy, staying overnight in the residence hall. The residential component encourages friendship and camaraderie among the participants, building mentoring relationships, and extending the learning experience beyond the formal program sessions as conversations continue in small groups, over meals, and among roommates. Sessions for college readiness and leadership development are led by Milwaukee business leaders and Mount Mary faculty and include, among others:

Building your brand
Leadership development
Networking
College readiness; college application and financial aid process

Expanded afternoon sessions on career exploration will be led by Mount Mary University faculty and will highlight the following career pathways:

Arts and Design
Business, Communication and Tech
Health Sciences
STEM

Admissions Decisions:

The selection committee evaluates Peer Mentor applications based on several factors, including:

Leadership and behavior demonstrated at previous Academies
Strength of the applicant's essay
Co-curricular resume
A letter of recommendation from a current teacher, counselor, or unrelated adult who can attest to the applicant's personal qualities and their potential to excel as a Peer Mentor at the 2026 Summer Leadership Academy.

Admissions decisions will be made on or before March 15, 2026. Applicants will be notified of the selection committee's decision by email. Applicants who are selected to participate in the Summer Leadership Academy Peer Mentor Program will be sent the link to a secondary form, requesting additional information and fee payment. Students who are not initially selected will be wait-listed for the program.

Tuition:

Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, the fee for being a Peer Mentor is $300 for the 6-day/5-night program, a $900 savings off the per student program cost. Once a Peer Mentor applicant has been accepted into the Summer Leadership Academy, an Accepted Peer Mentor Form will be sent. Accepted Peer Mentors must confirm their attendance by completing the Accepted Peer Mentor Form and paying tuition, making a payment plan, or paying the scholarship deposit by April 1, 2026

Financial Assistance Scholarships:

A limited number of scholarships are available to financially eligible students. You'll find the scholarship application at the end of the main application form. If you don't qualify for a scholarship but still need help financing the program, we offer a payment plan option. For details, please contact Alexandra Hoslet, Program Director, at hosleta@mtmary.edu.

Public Health Policy:

If there are any public health issues at the time of the 2026 Summer Leadership Academy, the most updated public health policies and protocols will be sent to participants prior to the beginning of the program. Mount Mary University will continue to follow the recommendations of the CDC and local public health agencies in regard to public health protocols.

Program participants must commit to attend all 6 days of the program. Full attendance is expected; any absences or departures from the Academy must be authorized in advance by the Program Director. Please complete this application completely and carefully.

Personal Information

Legal First Name

Middle Name

Legal Last Name

Preferred Name (if different from legal name)

Birthdate

What year(s) did you previously attend the Summer Leadership Academy?

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Attended SLA before? Defaulted/hidden

Contact Information

Cell Phone

Do you give permission to Mount Mary University to contact you via text message at the number provided above?

Personal Email (do not use your school email address)

School Email

School Email (device type - hidden/defaulted)

Mailing Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

Parent/Guardian Information

Please enter your parent/guardian's contact information.

Contact 1

Relationship

Parent/Guardian 1 First Name

Parent/Guardian 1 Last Name

Parent/Guardian 1 Mobile Number

rel - mobile phone type hidden

Is this parent/guardian's address the same as your address, entered above?

Yes

Parent/Guardian 1 Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

Contact 2

Parent 2 Type

Parent/Guardian 2 Last Name

Parent/Guardian 2 First Name

Parent/Guardian 2 Email

Parent/Guardian 2 Mobile Number

rel - mobile phone type hidden

Is this parent/guardian's address the same as your address, entered above?

Yes

Parent/Guardian 2 Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

Tell us about you!

Mount Mary University's Summer Leadership Academy is committed to serving students and mentors of all races, ethnicities, national origins, religions, and sexual orientations. All applicants are encouraged to apply. The information requested below will help us to measure our effectiveness with recruitment and programming, but it is not required.

Are you Hispanic or Latino of any race?

Yes

Which one of the following best describes you? Choose all that apply.

American Indian or Alaska Native

Asian

Black or African American

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

White

Is English your primary language?

Yes

What is your primary language?

If you or anyone in your household would prefer communication or programming in a language besides English, please select the language below:

How did you hear about the Summer Leadership Academy?

High School Guidance/College Counselor

Email Invitation

Family/Friend

Mount Mary Website

Mount Mary Admissions Representative

Mount Mary Coach/Athletic Department

Radio

Social Media

Other

Other please list:

Please check any other pre-college programs that you have participated in.

Pearls for Teen Girls

College Possible

GE Girls

Boys and Girls Club

Girl Scouts

None

Other

Other please list:

Did someone refer you to the Summer Leadership Academy Peer Mentor Program?

Yes

If someone did refer you, please share their name and contact information.

Enrollment Information

If in high school, what year will you enroll in college for the first time?

If you attend(ed) college, what year are you currently?

Entry Type hidden

What is your anticipated program of study?

School Information - Please complete the information for the school you currently attend.

High School

CEEB Code

School type - hidden default to HS

Graduation Year

School Counselor's name

School Counselor's Email

Are you interested in being considered for instant admission to Mount Mary University while participating in the Summer Leadership Academy?

Yes

College/University

CEEB Code

College Graduation Year

Student Resume

Describe your involvement in your school community. List your activities from freshman year on. Please include any clubs, sports, activities, honors/AP classes, awards, work, or personal/family responsibilities.

Please upload your student resume here.

Essay Question

Mount Mary University's Summer Leadership Academy Peer Mentor Program wants to learn a little bit more about you and your experiences. Write an essay that answers the questions below. Your essay should be 350-750 words total. Please include your name at the top of each page of you essay before uploading. Essays must be in a Word or PDF document.

1. Tell us about yourself.
2. What motivated you to apply to be a Peer Mentor?
3. What strengths will you bring to the 2026 Summer Leadership Academy Peer Mentor Program and how do you hope to grow?
4. What do you think will be your favorite part of being a Peer Mentor?
5. What do you hope your mentees will gain from their experience?
6. What do you think will be your biggest challenge as a Peer Mentor?
7. Please describe any previous leadership/mentoring experiences you have had.

Reference/Letter of Recommendation

Mount Mary University asks each applicant to provide one adult reference who can attest to the applicant's character and ability to positively impact and lead new participants at the 2026 Summer Leadership Academy. The adult reference who is writing the letter of recommendation must be a teacher, counselor, advisor, coach, club leader, employer, etc. References cannot be family members. All references will be contacted.

Reference Information

First name

Last name

Title

Relationship to Student

Preferred Phone Number

Preferred Email

Letter of recommendation must contain the following information:

How do you know the student applicant and for how many months/years?
Please comment on this student's drive and ability to successfully assist new students and lead small group discussions in this robust pre-college program.
What strengths do you feel this student will bring to and build upon by serving as a Peer Mentor at the 2026 Summer Leadership Academy?

The reference will need to submit a letter of recommendation which can be uploaded onto this form below or submitted to the Center for Women's Leadership at mmu-womenldr@mtmary.edu.

Letter of Recommendation Upload

SCHOLARSHIP SECTION

STEAM Girls Scholarship Application

Stipulation Statement for STEAM Girls/GE Girls Camp Scholarship Recipients: You must have participated in the Metro-Milwaukee STEAM Girls/GE Girls Camp to be eligible for this scholarship.

As a recipient of the STEAM Girls Scholarship, you will be recognized as a STEAM Girls Ambassador. This role includes the following responsibilities, which are highly encouraged but not mandated:

Providing a testimonial about your experiences with the STEAM Girls camp, alumni events, and Summer Leadership Academy.
Serving as an alumni advisor- providing feedback to the STEAM Girls leadership team (up to 4 times yearly).
Mentoring opportunities for future participants, as available and interested.

Scholarship winners will be selected based on their responses to the essay questions. Priority will be given to applicants with higher class seniority in the event of a tie. Additionally, those who apply for scholarships this year will have their applications noted and considered in subsequent years.

Will you submit a STEAM Girls Scholarship application?

Yes

I will apply for the following STEAM Girls Scholarship

Full Scholarship ($300)

Half Scholarship ($150)

How have the STEAM Girls camp and alumni events helped you plan your future studies and career? Give specific examples of how these experiences have shaped your goals and how you plan to use STEM to help your community.

Summer Leadership Academy Financial Assistance Scholarship Application

Will you submit a scholarship application to the 2026 Summer Leadership Academy Peer Mentor Program?

Yes I will submit a scholarship application.

No I will not submit a scholarship application.

Please note that a $50 non-refundable deposit is required from all scholarship recipients to secure their place in the Summer Leadership Academy.

If you are eligible for FoodShare Wisconsin and your family’s gross monthly income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL), you are automatically eligible to apply for a full scholarship. Please indicate the type of scholarship for which you are applying:

Full scholarship of $300.00

Half scholarship of $150.00

My family income is:

Under $50,000

$50,000 - $100,000

$100,000 - $150,000

$150,000 - $200,000

Over $200,000

The number of people living in my household:

Please explain your financial need for a full or half tuition scholarship to the Summer Leadership Academy Peer Mentor Program and how this scholarship would help you attain your goal of being a Peer Mentor (350 word minimum).

Summer Leadership Academy Rules and Expectations

Participants are not allowed to drive or ride in personal vehicles during the dates of the program unless they receive specific permission to do so from the Academy Director. While we understand that some participants will drive to the campus, our policy is that they must turn their car keys in to the Academy Director for the duration of the Academy. Any vehicles parked on campus must have a University Parking Permit. Parking permits will be issued during on-site registration, and clear instructions will be given as to where parking is authorized. It will be the responsibility of the participant to secure a permit, properly place the permit in the vehicle, park the vehicle in an authorized space, and turn the keys in to the Academy Director for safekeeping during the program. Neither Mount Mary University nor the Academy staff will be responsible for damage to vehicles or for any parking tickets, fines, or towing charges that result from violations.
Participants are to remain on campus for the duration of the program unless program activities require otherwise. If a participant needs to leave campus for some reason, the Academy Director must receive prior written permission from the parent or guardian, and grant specific permission.
Campus regulations prohibit the use of alcohol and other illegal substances. Participants may not possess, use, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, firearms, weapons, or fireworks. Violation of this rule will lead to immediate expulsion from the Academy.
In accordance with federal law, the federal age to purchase all tobacco and nicotine products (including cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, and hookahs) is 21 years old. Smoking is not permitted in any buildings on the Mount Mary University Campus. The City of Milwaukee prohibits vaping where smoking is prohibited. Violation of this rule will lead to immediate expulsion from the Academy.
The only people permitted in rooms are staff, members of the participant's immediate family, the participant's roommate and other participants residing in the residence hall.
All meals, including snacks, are provided by the Summer Leadership Academy. Food deliveries by family, friends, restaurants, or food delivery services are strictly prohibited.
Participants are allowed to bring snacks with them at the time of check in. Refrigerators and microwaves are provided in each residence hall room. Only NUT FREE snacks are allowed.
Participants must attend all sessions, meals, and planned social or recreational activities. Full participation is the only way a participant can gain real value from the Academy and earn the two college credits. A missed session must be approved by the Academy Director.
Participants will refrain from using electronic devices (i.e. cell phones, iPads, computers, etc.) during instructional periods unless authorized by presenters or university faculty and staff.
Participants must abide by rules and guidelines set by the instructors for each academic facility in use.
Participants will abide by nightly curfews, returning to the dorms by 9:30pm and "Lights Out" announcements from the Academy Director, Resident Advisors or Peer Mentors. Participants must be in their OWN room by 10:00pm and remain there until morning. 'Lights Out' is 10:30pm. Any use of cell phones or other electronic devices is prohibited after 'Lights Out.'
Participants must never misuse internet privileges. Attempting to access unauthorized sites is strictly prohibited.
Participants may not tamper with any fire equipment (i.e. fire extinguishers, fire alarms, smoke detectors, etc.) security system, or tamper with locks in participant rooms and other areas. Violation of this rule will lead to immediate expulsion from the Academy.
All furniture must remain unchanged and kept in place. Vandalism and pranks will not be permitted. Any damages caused in rooms or common areas will be charged to the responsible party. Replacement cost will be charged to anyone who removes or damages University property.
Participants should take room key when leaving their room. Leave excess money and valuables at home. Valuables, including jewelry, iPads, cellphones, electronics, etc., may be brought to campus, at participant's own risk. Neither Mount Mary University nor the Summer Leadership Academy is responsible for damages, theft, loss of money, valuables, or any personal effects of participants.
Participants who lose their room key(s) will be charged a $50/key replacement fee.

Application Acknowledgement

I have thoroughly read the Summer Leadership Academy application form and agree to comply and abide by:

All terms and conditions that appear on this application form;
The rules and regulations governing the conduct of the Summer Leadership Academy participant;
The rules and regulations as outlined in the various publications sponsored by the University;
All other current University rules and regulations governing the conduct of guests and any that may be adapted and published by the University during the term of this contract.

By signing this document, I certify that all information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I acknowledge that I am aware of the dates of the 2026 Summer Leadership Academy. If I am selected, barring any unexpected events, I am committed to participating in the entire 2026 Summer Leadership Academy on the Mount Mary University campus from June 21-26, 2026.

Verification

I certify that the information on this application is complete and correct, and I understand that the submission of false information is grounds for denial of my application, withdrawal of any offer of acceptance, cancellation of the enrollment or any appropriate disciplinary action. I authorize Mount Mary University to verify the information I have provided with all the schools I have attended. I agree to notify the proper officials of the institution of any changes in the information provided. I give my high school(s) permission to send my official transcript (s) directly to Mount Mary University if requested.

Certification

By signing below, I agree to abide by all Summer Leadership Academy Rules and Expectations.

I agree to the above statement.

Participant Signature

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Parent/Guardian Signature (if applicant is under 18 years old)

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