Center for Lincoln Studies

The Center for Lincoln Studies is working with our partners to bring LEAD: Spirit of Lincoln Youth Leadership Academy to UIS. LEAD will welcome eighth graders from throughout Illinois to UIS for a multi-day experience in summer 2026. We will work with youth organizations to select young people who have the potential to be leaders but might not see that potential in themselves. The youth will spend a week exploring Abraham Lincoln’s leadership qualities and why those same qualities are important for leaders today. This activity-filled program will help these young leaders see themselves reflected in Lincoln’s legacy and build skills that will propel them into high school and beyond. Your gift will help feed and house LEAD participants and pay UIS student mentors.

Examples of how your gift can make an impact:

• $600 - feeds 4 students for the full academy
• $300 - houses 1 student for the full academy
• $150 - feeds 1 student for the full academy
• $60 - houses 1 student for one day
• $30 - feeds 1 student for one day