The Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders (CTL) Fellows Program is a year-long advanced leadership program to empower future state-level leaders for Hawaii, who are both world-class and local. Fellows cohorts are composed of 20 select high school and seniors from both public and private schools, representing the diversity of Hawaii’s communities.
***Applications for the 2023-2024 school year is now open!***
Through CTL’s rigorous leadership curriculum based on The Leadership Challenge, access to Hawaii’s top corporate, community, and civic leaders, implementation of hands-on community projects addressing Hawaii’s most entrenched issues & more, the CTL Fellows Program trains young leaders to be:
Each year, 20 young leaders are selected into the CTL Fellows from local public and private high schools. Visit the directory to view current and past Fellows cohorts.
Throughout the program, Fellows have the opportunity to interview over 15 of Hawaii's top corporate, civic, and community leaders. Through cross-generational dialogue with current decision-makers, Fellows have the opportunity to imagine Hawaii’s future and identify paths forward for our communities.
We are fortunate to host a wonderful variety of corporate, civic, and community leaders as guest speakers in the Fellows program. Each year, Fellows cohort speak to approximately 20 current leaders.
Throughout the Fellows Program, Fellows design and implement projects that have island-level impact. Past projects topics have included sustainability, mental health, civic engagement, mentorship, police-community relations, and more. Through this project-based learning process, Fellows are empowered to put leadership lessons into practice and move the needle on some of Hawaii's most important issues.
Every year, through both our Fellows and Ambassadors Programs (link to Ambassadors) CTL is advising over 100 student-led projects to impact communities across the state.
Learn more about CTL Projects!
Vision: "We are determined to secure the prosperity of our country and state by ensuring that all opinions are heard and the art of civic discussion is not lost."
This Fellows project aimed to create balanced conversations amongst Hawaii's next generation to encourage critical-thinking and combat political polarization.
Team Members:
Vision: "Inspiring student led change, one degree at a time.”
It's hard to maintain a drive for excellence when basic needs aren't being met. Fahrenheit73 aimed to address the intolerable temperatures, sometimes reaching over 100°F, plaguing classrooms across the state of Hawaii. Through a partnership with GreenPath Technologies and Hawaii 3Rs, the team raised over $20,000 to install a solar-powered AC unit at the state's then-hottest classroom at James Campbell High School. By creating cool, comfortable learning environments, students can get back to what matters most – bettering themselves and the community."
Team Members:
Vision: “Our vision is to empower a generation who will take charge of their own learning, think critically, and be confident in their strengths."
“The Canvas was a student-run workspace in Kalihi. The Fellows team designed, fundraised for, and were the adminstration team so that The Canvas could be a motivational and stimulating safe-space for students to express their creativity, develop their critical thinking, get inspired, and pursue their passions. It hosted college talk story sessions, live concerts, poetry workshops, tutoring, movie nights, a puppy lounge and more!"
Here's what CTL Fellows have to say about the program!
I grew as a leader, both in skill and character, and gathered a plethora of eye-opening and...
I grew as a leader, both in skill and character, and gathered a plethora of eye-opening and challenging experiences that have strengthened how I continue to move through life as an individual.
Kamehameha Schools
Kamehameha Schools
On top of everything I've learned, I think the thing I am most grateful to CTL for is, hands down,...
On top of everything I've learned, I think the thing I am most grateful to CTL for is, hands down, the relationships I've built with my fellow fellows. Although I wish we could have had more bonding sessions, I'm so thankful for the friendships cultivated.
Punahou School
Punahou School
“I believe I grew in confidence and how I voice my ideas/opinions to a group of people. I learned...
“I believe I grew in confidence and how I voice my ideas/opinions to a group of people. I learned that it is okay to have differing ideas and that it will require effective communication to get things started. I believe it is a valuable experience because of the people I met and CTL has provided me with opportunities and resources to become a leader for Hawai'i.”
Waipahu High School
Waipahu High School
CTL has taught me a tremendous amount, not only about leadership and building character, but to...
CTL has taught me a tremendous amount, not only about leadership and building character, but to love Hawai'i. Before participating in the Fellows program, I was unsure as to whether I saw myself here in Hawai'i in the future. However, through the program, specifically talking to Hawai'is top leaders, my mindset has changed, as I realized that Hawai'i needs leaders now than ever. Hawai'i will always be my home, and therefore I promised to always serve and be a leader for Hawai'i.
Punahou School
Punahou School