The WestStar Leadership Program at the University of Tennessee at Martin will host its annual FutureStar Leadership Summit on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
The summit is open to eighth-graders from public or private schools or homeschools across Tennessee to give them the opportunity to see a college campus firsthand and encourage them to continue their educational pathway through college.
“It’s especially for those who might need a little extra push to ignite the potential that they have,” said Jahnae Johnson, WestStar Leadership program manager. “It’s also for students who have never set foot on a college campus before.
“It can help them start thinking about their next step after high school graduation.”
The program will begin at 8:45 a.m. and will run until about 1:45 p.m. The event draws about 60 to 70 students each year.
Students will be welcomed by UT Martin Chancellor Yancy Freeman before participating in breakout sessions with Demetrius Robinson, director of the Office of Career Planning and Development.
The keynote speaker of the event is Dr. Darren Walker, assistant principal at Munford High School in Tipton County and graduate of the WestStar Leadership Program’s Class of 2025.
Registration for the FutureStar Leadership Summit is underway and will close on Friday, Sept. 12. Middle schools can register up to three students each. Schools that would like to have more than three students participate should contact Johnson. A release form from the participating schools is required for participation.
“There is no cost for the FutureStar Summit because the program is sponsored by all WestStar alumni,” Johnson said.
School representatives or parents can register their students for the program or obtain more information about the program by contacting Johnson at jjohn552@utm.edu or 731-881-7787.
