History

The demand for Kansas youth leadership development has been coming from all corners of our state. In 2003 Governor Sebelius' Education Policy Team recommended the "creation of a state-wide leadership development initiative to encourage and develop future leaders for Kansas." While some isolated student organizations were created and operated leadership programs around the state, no state-wide, comprehensive program existed until the creation of the Kansas Youth Leadership Academy (KYLA) in 2004.

Beginning in 1999, the Center for Civic Leadership (CCL) at Fort Hays State University actively participated in providing youth leadership training. College students and university instructors with specialized training in Leadership have provided facilitation and leadership training to local school districts and organizations across Kansas. The summer of 2002 produced the CCL?s first comprehensive state-wide leadership camps for both middle school and high school students on the FHSU campus. With several successful camps and many students affected, the co-founders of the Center for Civic Leadership, Curt and Christie Brungardt, saw a need for a twelve-month year round program.

In 2004 after being awarded a grant from the Kansas Health Foundation, Curt and Christie Brungardt?s vision of a twelve-month youth leadership training program was initiated. In addition to the summer camps, Academy Seminars and Specialized Trainings were new components developed to provide training year round. Staffed with a full-time director and several student staff, the Kansas Youth Leadership Academy, was off to a terrific start.

With the endorsement of KYLA by Governor Sebelius, the McDonald's Owner-Operators of Kansas saw a tremendous opportunity to continue with their philanthropy of making a difference in the lives of children. The 45 owner-operators representing 152 stores across the state of Kansas made a commitment to sponsor the Academy for a two-year period. With the generosity of the McDonald's owner-operators KYLA celebrated their most successful year in 2005-2006.

As the second year of this tremendous partnership begins, new components are being researched and the seminars and camps are being planned. With a twelve-month program in place, KYLA and its staff are meeting the demand requested by Governor Sebelius to ?create a state-wide leadership program to encourage and develop future leaders for Kansas.?

For more information, visit KYLA at developingleaders.org