Teen Leadership Rockland

 

What is Teen Leadership Rockland?

Teen Leadership Rockland (TLR) is a leadership development program for high school sophomores who want to build leadership skills, connect with peers from across Rockland County, and learn from local leaders through interactive workshops and community-based experiences.

Throughout the program, participants explore leadership, civic engagement, career readiness, and community issues while developing the confidence and skills to make a positive impact.

Program Goals

Participants will:

• Recognize and strengthen their leadership potential.
• Build leadership skills and confidence through hands-on learning.
• Develop meaningful connections with students from across Rockland County.
• Learn about community resources, volunteer opportunities, and civic engagement.
• Explore current issues through discussion and collaboration with peers and community leaders.
• Develop a greater appreciation for the people, organizations, and history of Rockland County.

Who Can Participate?

Teen Leadership Rockland is open to high school sophomores who live in and/or attend school in Rockland County.

Previous leadership experience is not required. The Selection Committee looks for students who demonstrate initiative, a willingness to learn, and an interest in growing as leaders.

Program Expectations

Participants are expected to:

• Attend all program sessions in their entirety.
• Arrive on time and actively participate in all activities.
• Dress in business casual attire for each session.

Before applying, please review the tentative schedule below and consider your academic, extracurricular, athletic, and personal commitments to ensure you can participate fully.

Tentative 2026–2027 Schedule

Sessions are held on designated Tuesday evenings from 6:00–8:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Schedule is subject to change.

1. November 10, 2026: Orientation & Introduction to Leadership
2. November 17, 2026: Public Speaking
3. December 1, 2026: Social Justice
4. December 8, 2026: Inclusive Communities
5. January 5, 2027: Arts & Culture
6. January 12, 2027: Health Services
7. February 2, 2027: Understanding the Justice System: Part 1 – Police
8. February 9, 2027: Understanding the Justice System: Part 2 – Courts
9. Thursday, February 25, 2027: Leadership in County Government
10. March 2, 2027: Optimizing the College Experience
11. March 16, 2027: History of Rockland County
12. March 23, 2027: Environmental Stewardship
13. March 30, 2027: Life Lessons: Conversations with Community Leaders
14. April 6, 2027: Graduation

Snow Dates: December 15, January 19, and March 9

Program Locations

Sessions are held at various locations throughout Rockland County to introduce participants to local organizations, businesses, and community leaders. A complete schedule of meeting locations will be provided during the Orientation session.

Transportation

Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from each session.

If you are accepted into the program and transportation presents a challenge, please contact the Program Coordinator, Kristin Ruggiero, at klf37@cornell.edu.

Program Fee

TBA — Early Bird rate (application and recommendation received by September 15, 2026)

TBA — Regular rate (application and recommendation received by October 15, 2026)

The program fee is due upon acceptance. Financial assistance is available.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete all of the following steps:

• Submit the online application by the selected application deadline.
• Request one recommendation from an adult who is not a family member. The recommendation must be submitted online by the same deadline.
• Participate in a 30-minute interview with members of the Selection Committee.

Before applying, applicants are encouraged to view the PDF of the application questions before submitting their responses.

Application Deadlines

Early Bird Deadline: September 15, 2026

Regular Deadline: October 15, 2026

References

Applicants must ask one adult, non-family member to complete a reference form or upload a letter of recommendation through the online reference portal.

Reference Form: https://bit.ly/TLRRef26

The reference should be someone who knows the applicant well and can speak to their character, initiative, motivation, responsibility, and willingness to learn and grow as a leader. References may include teachers, coaches, employers, mentors, community members, or other adults who have worked with the applicant in a meaningful capacity.

The recommendation should provide insight into the applicant’s strengths, leadership potential, ability to work with others, and commitment to making a positive impact in their school or community.

Applicants are responsible for requesting their recommendation well in advance to allow their reference enough time to complete and submit the form by the application deadline.

Interviews

Following the application deadline, eligible applicants and their parent/guardian will receive information from the Program Coordinator about scheduling a 30-minute interview with members of the Teen Leadership Rockland Selection Committee.

Interviews will take place from 5:00–7:00 p.m. on the following dates:

Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland County
10 Patriot Hills Drive
Stony Point, NY

Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Finkelstein Memorial Library
24 Chestnut Street
Spring Valley, NY 10977

Applicants must participate in the interview process to be considered for admission to the program.

Following the interview process, applicants will be notified by email regarding the status of their application.

Please Note: Class size is limited. Only applicants who submit a complete application, including an online recommendation from an adult, non-family member, and complete the interview process by the applicable deadline will be considered.

Learn More

View the Teen Leadership Rockland 2026 Graduation Slideshow to see highlights from the 2025–2026 program.

Apply Today!

Last updated July 28, 2026