Lead Like Ignatius: Civic Service & Public Speaking

July 20-24, 2026 Rose Hill

Non-Credit Course

This is a Community-Engaged Learning course with on- and off-campus experiences and opportunities.

For intellectually curious students, this 5-day immersive course is an introduction to effective leadership styles, civic service, and articulate oral expression in the Jesuit educational tradition. Participating in topical discussions involving philosophy, law and ethics, “hands-on” community enrichment events, and a tailored public speaking training regimen (most notably our Capstone Showcase in the Fordham Law School courtroom), students learn how to lead with humanitarian purpose, moral substance and grit in today’s global world.

Skills/Learning Outcomes

Students will learn to:

  • Critically understand and apply various ethical leadership styles and argumentative defenses
  • Explore and assess leadership-in-action thinking patterns and habits of civil discourse
  • Become a more self-aware, reflective leader who engages theory and practice
  • Transform into a more comfortable and polished public speaker in daily life
  • Learn the fundamental Ignatian “soft skills” that your future career profession expects
  • Operationalize the Ignatian pedagogical paradigm (context, experience, reflection, action, evaluation) in distinct leadership scenarios
  • Meet and learn from a diverse population of professionals while having fun in New York

Overall Takeaways

We will learn by using the trusted and successful 483-year-old Jesuit educational tradition of engaging the head (intellect/curiosity/imagination), heart (beliefs/convictions/values), and hands (operationalized leadership action on the ground level). Diverse career professions and vocations value this Ignatian charism of educating women and men for and with others since it works to align intellect, ethics, and public service for the betterment of society. It also provides you with important grounding and reflection in approaching college academic rigors and civic engagement. 

Instructor Bio

Robert Parmach
In more than 20 years at Fordham, Robert Parmach, Ph.D., has worked to incorporate Jesuit values, teachings, and practices in all of his roles. His positions have included first-year class dean, professor, leader of the Manresa program, and GO! leader. In his role as the inaugural director of Ignatian mission initiatives in the office of the vice president for mission integration and ministry, Dr. Parmach helps others across the University amplify the core principles of Jesuit education in their work.

Course Details

Lead like Ignatius: Civic Service and Public Speaking
July 20-24, 2026, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Rose Hill Campus
Instructor: Robert Parmach

Course Number: SULA 0120 RN3
CRN: 16477

This non-credit course is open to high school students only.

Tuition

Residential: $2,086.00
Tuition for the residential program includes the course, course materials, housing, meals, and excursions in and outside of class. Move-in is Sunday afternoon, the day before classes begin. Please click here for a more detailed calendar of important dates.

Commuter: $1,418.00
Tuition for commuters includes the course, course materials, lunches, and excursions in and outside of class. Additional meals are available on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Students may wish to bring funds for incidentals, shopping at the Fordham Bookstore, souvenirs, and any personal items they wish to purchase.

 

Apply

Application deadlines:

Course and housing: May 1, 2026; course only: May 15, 2026. Please note that admission decisions are rolling until the class is full, and course caps are around 20 students. Apply by April 1, 2026 to be considered for a limited number of need-based discounts. We recommend early application.

Application Requirements: this non-credit course is open to high school students who have completed their first year. The course is recommended for those with a 3.0 or better. No prior experience with the subject matter is required.

To apply, you will need a copy of your high school transcript and your fall report card if the grades are not reflected on your transcript.

Please make note of the course details above because you will select your course as part of your application.

There is a $75 fee to apply and a $300 deposit to secure your seat. Housing requires a $50 deposit. All payments will be treated as deposits toward your final bill.

Apply

If you are not ready to apply, you can sign up to stay informed about the Fordham Summer Leaders Academy too, or email us with questions!

Immersion 3 Resident Move-In/Move-Out

Date  Resident Information
June 26 All medical forms and consents due
July 19 Move-in between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., all Immersion 2 students 
July 25 Move-out between 6 and 9 p.m., Immersion 2 One-Week students
July 31 Move-out before 10 a.m., Immersion 2 Two-Week students

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