Everyone Has an Idea.
Very Few Know What to Do With It.
Six days at Florida State University in Tallahassee. You leave with a business concept, a leadership voice, and the confidence to go first.
Apply NowPay HereAbout PALS at Florida State University
Theme: From Concept to Company: Business, Branding & Entrepreneurial Leadership
Pitching ideas, personal branding, business literacy, and entrepreneurial impact
Six days at Florida State University in Tallahassee. Everyone in your grade has a business idea. Almost none have a plan, a brand, and a person who can defend it in a room. You build all three at FSU: in The Hot Seat, in Brand You, in front of real faculty. You leave with 50 service hours, a leadership certificate, and the strategy your idea was missing.
Strong Grades Open Doors.
The Skills You Learn at PALS Keep Them Open.
You have the grades. You have the activities. But most high school students discover too late that colleges and hiring managers are looking for something classrooms rarely teach: how to negotiate, how to pitch an idea, and how to lead a room.
The students who stand out in college interviews are not always the ones with the highest GPA. They are the ones who can speak to something they have built, led, or delivered. PALS at Florida State University spends six days making sure you are that student. You develop a business concept from scratch, practice presenting it under pressure, and leave Tallahassee with a leadership certificate and 50 verified community service hours that belong in any application.
What You Leave With
Six days at Florida State University, and you leave with a PALS Leadership Certificate, 50 documented community service hours, and a developed business concept you can speak to in any interview or application.
Whether you are heading into business, law, healthcare, education, or any field where clarity and confidence matter, these are credentials that belong in a college application and a career conversation.
PALS alumni are eligible to apply for the Peace Ambassador Leadership Program (PALP), which is open to students regardless of the state where they reside. If selected, you complete a 6-month capstone community service project and train as a Jr. Counselor for the following year's PALS program. That pathway qualifies you for letters of recommendation, grants, and statewide scholarships including Florida Bright Futures.
Apply Now"I gained a strong sense of leadership and confidence that I didn't have before. I now have a better grasp on networking since participating in PALS."
Camila Teixeira de Oliveira, PALS 2025 Participant, University of FloridaIs PALS at FSU the right fit for you?
- You want to leave knowing what kind of leader you actually are. "I gained a strong sense of leadership and confidence that I didn’t have before." (UF 2025 participant)
- You want networking and the elevator pitch to feel natural, not forced. "Networking was probably the main skill I learned, and something I strengthened was my social skills." (UF 2025 participant)
- You want to figure out what kind of leader you actually are. "PALS has helped me realize that I am a leader. It has helped me improve my leadership skills." (UF 2025 participant)
- You want to walk into senior year prepared, not scrambling. "I learned how to make a good resume and how to do an elevator pitch." (UF 2025 participant)
- You want a summer that changes how you show up in September. "I was able to make new friends, experience a slice of college life, and learn about the types of environments I thrive in." (UF 2025 participant)
- You care about something, even if you cannot fully articulate it yet. "It inspired me to spread positivity wherever I go by being a leader who can comfort others, understand others, and communicate with others." (UF 2025 participant)
- You want a passive, lecture-style summer. PALS is participation-based and group-driven.
- You want to coast inside your existing comfort zone. Day one puts you in front of new people in a new place.
- You only want a line on a resume. We will recognize the work, but the point is what changes inside you.
- You do not want feedback. Coaches and peers will tell you what is and is not landing.
- You are not willing to put the phone down for workshops. Networking, public speaking, and conflict resolution happen in the room.
High School Leadership Development | PALS at Florida State University
What You Come Here to Learn
Personal & Group Leadership Development
Identify your leadership style and develop the skills to motivate, delegate, and hold a team accountable. Applied in live group challenges throughout the program, not a worksheet.
Hands-On Business Launch Simulation
Design, develop, and pitch a business concept built around a real gap in your community, from market research to live presentation, compressed into days, not semesters.
Florida Civic & Institutional Literacy
Learn how Florida's government and civic systems determine who gets access and opportunity, and how young leaders can engage, influence, and eventually shape those systems.
Professional Identity & Digital Presence
Build a polished elevator pitch, a LinkedIn profile recruiters actually respond to, and a digital presence that works for you before you ever submit a college application.
Ethical Decision-Making Under Pressure
Navigate real scenarios with genuine financial and social consequences. Build the judgment that separates effective leaders from those who freeze when it counts.
Emotional Intelligence & Mental Wellness
Develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and the resilience to lead through conflict and pressure. At PALS, mental wellness is treated as a leadership competency, not an afterthought.
Coalition Building Across Differences
Collaborate with peers from different backgrounds, perspectives, and leadership styles. Build the cross-cultural communication skills that move communities and careers forward.
Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship
Explore how entrepreneurship and philanthropy intersect. Learn to build ventures that generate both profit and lasting community impact, because the best leaders do both.
Core Leadership Skills in Practice
Sharpen public speaking, critical thinking, and time management through repeated live application, not lectures. Every session at FSU is a performance opportunity.
College & Career Readiness Portfolio
Leave with a polished resume, documented community service hours, and a leadership profile through the NVEEE Empowerment and Success Hub. Graduates are eligible to apply for the Peace Ambassador Leadership Program (PALP).
10 focus areas.
June 25-30 at Florida State University.
One leadership identity built to last.
Why PALS Takes a Holistic Approach
Campus pre-college programs offer real academic value. PALS goes a step further by directly addressing what the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey identifies as the top challenges facing high school students today: persistent sadness and hopelessness (40% of teens), poor mental health, social isolation, and the inability to think critically under pressure. Every PALS curriculum module is designed around these evidence-based priorities.
More Program. Lower Price.
No Comparison.
We looked at the most well-known teen leadership programs in the country. PALS at Florida State University costs less than half of most comparable programs, and delivers credentials, service hours, and resources that none of the others offer.
| What you get | PALS at Florida State UniversityFrom $2,400 | Conference Programs$2,995–$6,795 | University Civic Programs$3,070–$5,475 | Ivy Pre-College Programs$4,050–$6,100+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State University campus, Tallahassee, FL | Yes | Some locations | Various locations | Various locations |
| 50+ verified community service hours | Included | Not offered | Online only | Not offered |
| Recognized in the U.S. Congressional Record | 4 times | No | No | No |
| Youth-facilitated by trained peer leaders | 9-month trained facilitators | Adult-led only | Adult-led only | Adult-led only |
| College advising panel with current college students | Included | Not offered | Not offered | Staff advisors only |
| Life skills + social-emotional development | Integrated throughout | Not offered | Reflection only | Not offered |
| Capstone advocacy project (Project Kickstart) | Every participant | Simulations only | Partner task | Academic coursework |
| Led by a nationally recognized nonprofit | NVEEE (mission-driven) | For-profit operator | University dept. | University dept. |
| Digital advocacy + social media training | Included | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| Mental health + youth resilience curriculum | Integrated daily | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| Year-round resource platform (NES Hub) | Full access | No post-program access | No post-program access | No post-program access |
| Total cost (residential, all-inclusive) | $2,400–$2,600 | $2,995–$6,795 | $3,070–$5,475 | $4,050–$6,100+ |
Program features and pricing based on publicly listed fees for comparable residential teen leadership programs (TeenLife.com, 2025). Ranges represent typical costs across program categories and do not reflect any single organization. Features may vary by session and year. Apply now to reserve your spot for the 2026 session.
Signature Experiences
Six days at Florida State University built around four things no classroom teaches: entrepreneurship, civic leadership, professional identity, and the resilience to lead under pressure.
The Hot Seat
You build a real business concept from idea to live pitch. Six days of guided development, peer feedback rounds, and a final presentation to a panel of community leaders. This is where your idea meets pressure and you find out what you are made of.
Capital City Leadership Lab
Florida State University sits at the center of Florida state government. You explore how policy gets made, how nonprofits secure funding, and how young leaders navigate civic institutions to create real change at the state level.
Brand You: Professional Identity
You leave PALS knowing how to introduce yourself, tell your story, and communicate your value in any room. This covers your professional narrative, networking language, and digital presence so you show up ready before any application opens.
Resilience and Wellness Leadership
Leadership starts with managing yourself. This track builds practical tools for handling stress, supporting peers through difficulty, and leading with emotional intelligence when the pressure is high. You learn to take care of yourself so you can show up for others.
You build a real business concept from idea to live pitch. Six days of guided development, peer feedback rounds, and a final presentation to a panel of community leaders. This is where your idea meets pressure and you find out what you are made of.
- Complete pitch deck and business brief
- Live panel presentation
- Peer critique and revision rounds
Florida State University sits at the center of Florida state government. You explore how policy gets made, how nonprofits secure funding, and how young leaders navigate civic institutions to create real change at the state level.
- Tallahassee civic leadership context
- Nonprofit sector and community advocacy
- How state policy decisions affect your community
You leave PALS knowing how to introduce yourself, tell your story, and communicate your value in any room. This covers your professional narrative, networking language, and digital presence so you show up ready before any application opens.
- Personal narrative and elevator pitch
- Networking introductions and follow-through
- Digital presence planning
Leadership starts with managing yourself. This track builds practical tools for handling stress, supporting peers through difficulty, and leading with emotional intelligence when the pressure is high. You learn to take care of yourself so you can show up for others.
- Stress management and coping strategies
- Peer support and active listening
- Emotional intelligence in leadership
Leadership Workshop Themes
PALS delivers eight core workshop themes at every campus, covering the full range of skills today's leaders need -- from personal growth and mental wellness to digital literacy and civic action. Florida State University adds a ninth signature theme rooted in entrepreneurship and venture creation.
Leadership & Personal Growth
- Crafting Your Leadership Identity
- SMART Goal Setting
- Personal Strengths
- Visionary Leadership & Personal Vision Statement
- Investing in Yourself as a Leader
- Fear of Failure
- Manifesting Success
Communication & Public Speaking
- Public Speaking
- Networking & Your 30-Second Elevator Pitch
- Active Listening & Constructive Feedback
- Effective Communication in Advocacy
- Group Dynamics & Teamwork
Life & Social Skills
- Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships
- Emotional Intelligence & Emotional Regulation
- Professionalism & Workplace Etiquette
- Financial Literacy (Budgeting, Credit & Investing Basics)
- Empathy & Perspective-Taking
- Time Management
Mental Health & Wellness
- Mental Health Awareness & Destigmatization
- Conflict Resolution & De-escalation
- Managing Burnout & Stress Resilience
- Mindfulness & Wellbeing
- Adolescent Mental Health
Civic Engagement & Advocacy
- Advocacy and Social Movements
- Implicit Bias & Breaking Barriers
- Allyship
- Civic Responsibility & Voting Awareness
College & Career Preparedness
- College Financial Aid & Scholarships
- College Essay Writing & Personal Statement
- Resume Writing & LinkedIn
- College Admissions Overview
- Career Readiness & Mock Interviews
Research & Critical Thinking
- Building Evidence-Based Arguments
- Research Methods & Information Literacy
- Critical Thinking in Leadership
Digital Literacy & AI
- AI Tools, Ethics & Your Digital Future
- Media Literacy & Body Image
- Digital Advocacy 101
- Media and Peer Pressure
Entrepreneurship & Venture Thinking
- Startup Fundamentals & the Entrepreneur Mindset
- Business Pitch Development & Presentation
- Market Research & Core Business Concepts
- Career Pathways in Business (Finance, Marketing, Entrepreneurship)
- Social Enterprise & Business for Good
- From Idea to Launch -- Creating Real-World Solutions
- Business Law, Equity & Ownership
- Personal Finance & Financial Statements
* Workshop topics rotate each session. Participants will engage with a curated mix of themes from across all workshop categories throughout the program.
College Prep at PALS. Welcome to the NVEEE Empowerment and Success Hub.
PALS gives you a digital portfolio of college-readiness assets. Resume, brag sheet, essay vault, and a verified service-hours record. So you walk into senior year ready, not scrambling.
The Common Application requires high school students to document leadership experience, community service hours, and extracurricular activities. Most students scramble to gather these credentials during senior year. At PALS, students build their complete college application portfolio systematically through the NVEEE Empowerment & Success Hub (NES). Participants graduate with verified documentation: a professional resume, 50 documented community service hours, leadership experience certificates, college essay brainstorm materials, scholarship application targets, and a LinkedIn profile optimized for college admissions.
Created by college interns and PALS alumni who successfully navigated the admissions process, NES is an interactive digital platform that transforms college preparation from stressful uncertainty into systematic academic and leadership development. Every module produces tangible materials students use for university admissions, scholarship applications, and freshman year success.
HOW NES WORKS. Modules Unlock in Phases:
- Before PALS: College preparation modules open to help high school students get ready for the summer leadership program
- During PALS: Additional college readiness modules unlock throughout the summit as students progress through leadership workshops
- Post-PALS: Advanced college application modules become available if students join our 9-month Peace Ambassador Leadership Program (PALP)
| What Common App requires | What you build at PALS |
|---|---|
| High school transcript and course list | Self-Reflection and Readiness worksheet. Document your academic record and experiences clearly |
| Activities list with roles, hours, and impact | Life Skills Tracker. Articulate your contributions and leadership in a format ready to transfer |
| Personal essay (choose from 7 prompts) | College Essay Brainstorm Vault. Work through every prompt and identify your strongest story before you write a word |
| Letters of recommendation | Brag Sheet. Give your recommender what they need to write a letter that actually stands out |
| College list with requirements and deadlines | College Planning and Ranking worksheets. Build and compare your college list |
| Scholarship and financial aid research | Scholarship Readiness Checklist. Track deadlines, eligibility, and required materials |
| Resume for scholarships and interviews | Resume Builder. Complete a real resume ready to submit |
| Professional online presence | LinkedIn Prep. Build your profile step by step with guidance on what to include |
Additionally, we add many other resources not limited to: a Mental Health and Resilience Toolkit, a Proactive Time Management system, and a Financial Aid Comparison Template for when your acceptance letters arrive.
Source: commonapp.org/apply/first-year-students
Also Available Through NVEEE
Letter of Recommendation -- The Executive Director of NVEEE writes select letters of recommendation for Jr. Counselors and PALP graduates for college and scholarship applications. This is one of the most impactful credentials a student can carry into admissions season.
Academic Honors Documentation -- Leadership certificates earned at PALS are eligible to be listed in the Academic Honors section of the Common Application, separate from the Activities section.
Viewing on a phone? You are seeing a condensed version -- open on a tablet or desktop for the full table.
Program Impact & Participant Voices
Collected independently from PALS participants through daily workshop surveys and post-program surveys. Results reflect students from the University of Florida 2025 cohort where the Business and Entrepreneurship program was hosted in 2025.
The most valuable part of this workshop was the importance of communication and trust -- these are the foundations for being able to problem solve.
Facilitated by Alan Hengesbach & Elizabeth Goodfellow, UF Leadership Development Program
I really enjoyed this workshop because it genuinely made me feel more motivated and confident in wanting to pursue my ideas and actually stay committed.
Facilitated by Mr. John Rollins, MOTIV8U of North Central Florida
Building a resume and learning about LinkedIn helped me get an understanding of what is needed for an appealing resume -- for the future, or now since I'm working.
Facilitated by Alison Noonan, UF Career Connections Center
The most valuable part of this workshop was the breathing exercises because I believe they will be useful to use in real life situations.
Facilitated by Dr. Kristy Spear, UF Mindfulness Learning Community
I believe the most valuable part was when she debunked the myths many people have about college admissions. It took away a lot of the stress I had.
Facilitated by Keanani Afu, UF Admissions
I was able to network and understand what it means to be a leader. PALS has helped me realize that I am a leader. It has helped me improve my leadership skills.
More Practice. Real Faculty. .
We looked at the most well-known teen leadership programs in the country. PALS at Florida State University costs less than half of most comparable programs, and delivers credentials, service hours, and resources that none of the others offer.
| What you get | PALS at Florida State UniversityFrom $2,400 | Conference Programs$2,995–$6,795 | University Civic Programs$3,070–$5,475 | Ivy Pre-College Programs$4,050–$6,100+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State University campus, Tallahassee, FL | Yes | Some locations | Various locations | Various locations |
| 50+ verified community service hours | Included | Not offered | Online only | Not offered |
| Recognized in the U.S. Congressional Record | 4 times | No | No | No |
| Youth-facilitated by trained peer leaders | 9-month trained facilitators | Adult-led only | Adult-led only | Adult-led only |
| College advising panel with current college students | Included | Not offered | Not offered | Staff advisors only |
| Life skills + social-emotional development | Integrated throughout | Not offered | Reflection only | Not offered |
| Capstone advocacy project (Project Kickstart) | Every participant | Simulations only | Partner task | Academic coursework |
| Led by a nationally recognized nonprofit | NVEEE (mission-driven) | For-profit operator | University dept. | University dept. |
| Digital advocacy + social media training | Included | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| Mental health + youth resilience curriculum | Integrated daily | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| Year-round resource platform (NES Hub) | Full access | No post-program access | No post-program access | No post-program access |
| Total cost (residential, all-inclusive) | $2,400–$2,600 | $2,995–$6,795 | $3,070–$5,475 | $4,050–$6,100+ |
Program features and pricing based on publicly listed fees for comparable residential teen leadership programs (TeenLife.com, 2025). Ranges represent typical costs across program categories and do not reflect any single organization. Features may vary by session and year. Apply now to reserve your spot for the 2026 session.
Mark Your Calendar
Enrollment is limited. Review key dates below and take your next step toward the PALS experience.
Tuition: $1,320 Early Bird through May 30 · $1,650 Regular
Scholarships & payment plans available. email pals@nveee.org to apply or request details.
Frequently Asked Questions
PALS at Florida State University is an six-day residential leadership and college preparedness program for high school students in grades 9-12, hosted June 25–30, 2026 on the Florida State University campus in Tallahassee, FL The program is organized by NVEEE (National Voices for Equality, Education, and Enlightenment), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has served youth for more than 15 years and has been recognized four times in the U.S. Congressional Record for youth leadership and advocacy work. Students live in campus dorms, attend workshops in public speaking, entrepreneurship, and leadership, complete a service project, and earn 50 verified community service hours and a PALS leadership certificate.
Yes. PALS launched its Business & Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Florida in 2023. For 2026, the program has moved to a new home at Florida State University in Tallahassee. The curriculum, staff, and program structure are the same , only the campus has changed.
If you attended, applied to, or researched PALS at UF, you are in the right place. All program details, including pricing, application deadlines, and outcomes, are listed on this page.
Yes. Every PALS participant earns 50 verified community service hours through the program. These hours are documented in the NVEEE Empowerment and Success Hub, PALS’s structured digital portal, and can be submitted for school, scholarship, and college application requirements. Community service at PALS is embedded in the program through the The Hot Seat, a team-based service initiative students develop and present during the week. This is one of the key differences between PALS and other summer leadership programs.
PALS participants receive a PALS Leadership Certificate upon completing the program. At the recognition ceremony held at the end of the week, standout participants are recognized with campus-specific awards including the Resilient Leader Award, Empathy in Action Award, Service Excellence Award, and Leadership Award, among others. These recognitions are presented in a formal graduation ceremony and can be listed on college applications, resumes, and scholarship applications.
PALS at Florida State University is for high school students in grades 9-12 who want to build communication skills, develop their leadership voice, and strengthen their college application through real hands-on experience. You do not need to be interested in politics, law, or government. Students interested in journalism, business, education, healthcare, social work, psychology, and any field where communication and leadership determine your success have all attended and benefited. The one common thread is students who want to grow.
Early Bird pricing for PALS at Florida State University 2026 is $1,320. Regular pricing is $1,420. The application deadline is June 1, 2026. Need-based scholarship assistance is available , select the scholarship option within your application. Payment plan options are also available. Contact pals@nveee.org for more information.
Students attend daily workshops in public speaking, entrepreneurship, community leadership, advocacy, and college preparation. They complete The Hot Seat, a structured workshop where they develop an original advocacy project and pitch it to peers and mentors at the end of the week. They attend a guided tour of Tallahassee, FL museums and monuments. Guest speakers, professors, and community leaders come directly to the Florida State University campus. Evening activities include a themed awards banquet, art therapy, karaoke, talent show, movie night, and team-building events. Students also complete modules in the NVEEE Empowerment and Success Hub, building a real resume, LinkedIn profile, college essay brainstorm vault, brag sheet for letters of recommendation, and scholarship readiness checklist.
Yes. PALS at Florida State University is approved by the Florida State University Youth Protection Department. All staff complete Level 2 background checks before the program begins. The student-to-staff ratio is 8:1. Students live in secure campus dormitories with Resident Assistants present at all times. Students remain on campus throughout the program and are not permitted to leave independently. NVEEE has operated youth programs for more than 15 years with a strong safety record.
PALS is run by NVEEE, a nonprofit organization, which means our mission is student outcomes, not revenue. While other summer programs offer general leadership content, PALS focuses specifically on the skills employers consistently say new graduates are missing: communication, self-advocacy, conflict resolution, and the ability to organize and present ideas clearly. PALS also offers 50 verified community service hours, a structured college readiness portal where students build a real resume and college essay foundation, and a peer-led mentorship model where college student mentors work alongside participants throughout the week. Most comparable programs do not include any of these.
Applications are open now at nveee.org/pals. The application deadline is June 1, 2026. Early Bird pricing of $1,320 applies until June 1; regular pricing is $1,420. Seats are limited and fill quickly. To apply, click the Apply Now button at the top of this page or contact pals@nveee.org with any questions.
It typically takes 1-2 weeks to receive an acceptance or response after submitting your application. If you have not heard back within this timeframe, please reach out to us at pals@nveee.org for assistance.
No, participants must remain on campus throughout the program and are not allowed guests from outside the program.
Full refund (minus fees) until April 15. 0% refund after April 15 until May 30. No refund within 30 days of the program start date.