Brooklyn College opens applications for 2025 paid summer leadership programs

The CUNY Haitian Studies Institute (HSI) at Brooklyn College is calling on New York City youth ages 18 to 24 to apply for its 2025 NextGen Civics & Leadership Institute, a three-week summer program focused on civic engagement, community involvement and leadership development.

“This is a way to be engaged with local politicians,” said Pharlande Gaspard Zamor, event coordinator and adjunct lecturer at the institute. “They will have a chance to network, with every day filled with rich programming.”

The institute will run from July 7 through July 24, held in-person at Brooklyn College from Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Participants who complete the program will receive a $1,500 stipend.

High school and college students citywide, including incoming freshmen, are encouraged to apply. The deadline is May 27, and acceptance notifications are expected by June 10. In addition to attending the full program, applicants must be willing to volunteer with a local organization during the session.

Organizers are especially encouraging youth from the Haitian diaspora to apply, with a focus on cultivating the next generation of leaders rooted in civic responsibility and community empowerment.

“When you go to the health industry or the education industry for example, you will see that a lot of those professionals are Haitian American,” Zamor said. “So we do this to inspire the youth, no matter what they hear from the media, we also contribute so don’t give up.”

Zamor said the leadership portion of the program will be facilitated by a team led by North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme. He is expected to provide mentorship and support for youth participating in the program through a collaborative partnership.

The summer program represents a key opportunity for many students to experience civic engagement and leadership development beyond the classroom, offering hands-on exposure to real-world challenges and community-based solutions.

Founded in 2016, the Haitian Studies Institute at Brooklyn College aims to deepen public understanding of Haitian culture, history, and civic life through programming, research and public engagement.

“Two years ago, we had a chance to meet other students from different schools who were admitted to the NextGen program. There were student from all backgrounds,” Zamor said.

“We don’t have much, you know, we have limited resources, especially in this climate, so we encourage them [Haitian students] to at least know that there is space for them in programs like this as well.”

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