You might be surprised. They do not simply possess expert knowledge. Leaders must also be generalists with a strong grasp of language, history, and the enduring human questions.
How should societies balance individual freedom and the good of the whole? How do influential thinkers change the world? Who should lead, and why?
Leadership Scholars study these issues through classic works of literature and philosophy. Working closely with Miami professors and personal tutors they also lean to:
Successful students receive a letter of reference they can use in college applications.
The Leadership Scholars program is not a summer camp. Beyond the rigorous academic experience, participants maintain a connection with program faculty and student mentors throughout the academic year.
Returning to Miami's Oxford campus during the fall, participants can reconnect with each other and get assistance on their college admissions planning. .
The staff of the Humanities Center is here to help you. Click the link below to tell us you are interested in the program or want to nominate a student. We will then reach out with information and application assistance.
Each year, fifteen or more Miami Leadership Scholarships are awarded. We are looking for students who are:
1. AREA HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS
Scholars must be current juniors entering their senior year of high school next fall and should reside within a 50-mile radius of Miami’s Oxford campus.
2. FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE-BOUND
We prioritize students who will be the first generation in their families to graduate from a college in the United States. If neither of your parents graduated from an American university that means you! Even if your siblings, step-parents, grandparents, or other family members graduated, you're still a first-generation student.
3. LOW-INCOME
We prioritize students who are from low-income families, as defined by federal guidelines. If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, this is you!
4. AMBITIOUS
Leadership Scholarships are not for everyone. We award them to students who have a thirst for knowledge and self-improvement. Ambition does not imply perfection. Ambition leads to achievement—but some achievements take longer than others. We seek students ready to accept challenges and work hard for their future.
5. READY TO COMMIT
Miami University offers Leadership Scholarships on a rolling basis, beginning March 1. After notification, winners are given time to consider the program, but we then ask them to make a firm commitment or decline their award so that we can offer it to another deserving applicant.
During 2025, Scholars are expected to arrive at Miami’s Oxford campus on the morning of Sunday, July 6 and remain through the end of activities on Friday, July 11. Students are with us each day for the duration of the program and may not be excused except for essential medical appointments. Scholars must commit to work hard and engage collegially with faculty, tutors, and peers in every aspect of the program. Once all scholarships have been awarded for the year, the Leadership Scholars website will post a notification indicating that we are no longer accepting applications.
