I n June, Georgia College & State University hosted high schoolers from across Georgia for “EarthCare—The Leadership Challenge for the 21^st Century.” The program provided a foundation of leadership development, with an emphasis on career exploration, STEM and sustainability. 

“GCSU is pleased to partner with Georgia Power and 21^st Century Leaders to host its 21^st Century Leadership Challenge because Georgia College also places a great emphasis on leadership training among its students,” said Georgia College President Cathy Cox. “We know that the strength of our state depends on cultivating the next generation of leaders, and it’s exciting to see these high school leaders hone their skills on our campus through this program.” 

Ninety-five rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with an interest in STEM and leadership were selected to participate in this challenge. They came from 65 public and private high schools within 30 counties across Georgia, representing the state in diverse ethnicity and geographic location. Some were home schooled.

“Students were exposed to others they're not usually exposed to,” said Kate Hewitt, executive director, 21^st Century Leaders. “They were taught how to work together and tasked to work on projects with other students from rural to urban parts of the state.”

“The more you put students together from diverse backgrounds at an early age, the better their success,” she said. “They're learning how to work with others who may not think like them.”

Greg Tyson, area manager for Georgia Power said the EarthCare Leadership Challenge is a chance to invest in future state leaders and promote workforce development.

During the six-day leadership institute, students lived on campus and strengthened their communication skills, a crucial aspect of leadership. 

Participants also worked on a challenge—a capstone project that week. They learned how to solve problems together, come up with solutions to energy justice issues and collaborate effectively. At the end of the week, they presented their solutions to Georgia Power and other leaders, hoping to make a positive impact on the environment.

Students explored environmental issues affecting Georgia and the world. Air quality and polluted water stood out to Lindsay McNeal of Kennesaw. 

“I see where Georgia Power and other electricity providers reduce emissions in the air,” she said. “But there's also water pollution. And it's not only from people throwing things in our lakes and rivers, like the Chattahoochee River or Lake Lanier, but they’re polluted by exhaust and other things I haven't thought of before. This is pulling me closer to why I'm here.”

McNeal is passionate about doing what it takes to clean the environment.

“This has been put on our generation,” she said. “We need the federal government to help fix pollution or give us responsibilities. I feel that passion of the younger generation, but we want permission to give us funding. We all really want to help in an effective way and do it now.”

“It's special that we get to meet people. Then, bring our own innovations to the table and feel like we're able to start what we want now,” McNeal said. “I feel like our generation sees everything through a screen. They don't really understand how disconnected we are from reality. It's special to be here for a week, meeting new people and to be seen and heard.”

Gambler Dollar of Bainbridge sees himself as a potential leader too. He plans to work on his skills and improve. He chose the EarthCare Leadership Challenge because of his interest in the technology side of STEM.

“I came to this workshop because it’s powerful,” Dollar said. “It's a great campus, and the program is personalized. The leaders take time to explain things to you.” 

“It's cool to look into the future and see what we could become, what we can make out of what we have and how we can improve,” he said. 

On the topic of energy justice in Georgia, Dollar wants rural areas to have access to renewable sources.

“People in those areas don’t really have any other choice but fossil fuels,” he said. “Rural residents have recently benefited from federal and other programs.” 

Through the leadership challenge, Dollar is excited to meet other leaders and feels empowered to help make a difference.

This is why Georgia College hosts great programs such as the EarthCare Leadership Challenge that kickstart ideas and form leaders.

“I enjoyed meeting the students who participated in the program and was impressed with the many ways they were already planning to put their newly enhanced leadership skills to work when they return to school,” Cox said.

“These students not only gained a great deal of knowledge about sustainability,” she said, “but they also had top-notch training in public speaking, networking and working in groups—all of which are skills that will contribute to their success in high school and far beyond.”