AI Can Draft Your Essay. It Can't Do Your Interview.
Seven days at University of Central Florida in Orlando. You leave with a professional presence, real-world communication experience, and the confidence to stand out in interviews and leadership roles
Apply Now Pay HereAbout PALS at University of Central Florida
Theme: Communication, Professional Leadership and Career Readiness
Public speaking, storytelling, media skills, professional presence, and modern tools
Seven days at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. AI can draft the essay. AI can build the slide. The moment someone decides whether to remember you, that part is still yours. That is what UCF cohorts practice every day. You leave with 50 service hours, a leadership certificate, and a résumé that does not sound like everyone else’s.
ChatGPT writes the essay. Photomath does the calc. Canva builds the slide deck. The interview is still you in a room with another human.
In 2026, the average high school student has more AI tools than the average junior associate had three years ago. ChatGPT for the essay. Claude for the cover letter. Perplexity for the citations. Gemini for the inbox. Photomath for the calc. Canva and Gamma for the deck. Grammarly to clean up the messages they did write themselves.
The one remaining moment that AI cannot attend is the moment that decides whether they get the offer. The college interview. The internship pitch. The first conversation with a manager who is wondering whether to keep them. A 2024 survey of nearly 1,000 business leaders found that 6 in 10 companies had already fired a recent college graduate that year. The reason was not the math or the writing or the deck. It was communication.
PALS at UCF is built for that moment. Seven days at the University of Central Florida training in public speaking, personal branding, conflict resolution, and professional presence with faculty from the Nicholson School of Communication and Media. Real feedback. Real stakes. Not a classroom exercise.
What You Walk Away With
Seven things AI cannot fake.
- The ability to speak clearly in professional settings, interviews, and leadership situations
- Practical communication and conflict resolution skills that employers say Gen Z is missing
- A revised resume and real interview practice with faculty feedback
- 50 verified community service hours and a PALS leadership certificate
- A real week of college life: dorms, campus dining, and learning alongside current UCF students
- Mentorship from Nicholson School of Communication and Media faculty
- Connections with students from across the country working toward the same goals
Dr. Robert Littlefield | Public Speaking Workshop
Is PALS at UCF the right fit for you?
- You want to know what AI cannot do for you yet, and what you have to do yourself.
- You want to learn what EIQ actually is and how to use it under pressure.
- You want help writing a college essay that does not sound like everyone else's.
- You want to use social media on purpose, not just consume it.
- You want to know your leadership style before someone else types you.
- You want a space to talk about something hard that you have not said out loud yet.
- You think AI can replace showing up.
- You only want a résumé line.
- You expect your phone to stay in your hand during workshops.
- You want to stay quiet when the room asks for honesty.
- You want someone else to write your essay for you.
- You want to leave with the same emotional habits you arrived with.
High School Leadership Development | PALS at University of Central Florida
Program Goals
Build Mental Resilience and Self-Awareness
PALS at UCF teaches the practical mental health skills students often arrive without: managing stress, asking for help, and recovering from setbacks. You leave with tools you actually use, not affirmations to repeat.
Lead Across Difference
College classrooms and workplaces will ask you to collaborate with people who think nothing like you. PALS at UCF puts you in a national cohort and gives you the tools to lead a group when you cannot just agree on everything.
Develop the Social-Emotional Skills Hiring Managers Notice
Reading a room. Naming what you feel before reacting. Repairing a conflict instead of avoiding it. These are the skills employers say Gen Z applicants are missing. PALS at UCF practices them every day.
Live a Real Week of College
Sleep in a UCF dorm. Eat in the dining halls. Walk to your workshop across an actual campus you might apply to. Most leadership programs run in convention centers. PALS at UCF runs at UCF.
Build a Cohort You Carry Into Senior Year
The friends you make at PALS are the ones who read your college essay over text in November and FaceTime you the night before your first interview. Real connections, not group-chat acquaintances.
Speak So People Listen
Public speaking, professional presence, and the one-on-one conversation that decides whether you get the offer. Trained by Nicholson School of Communication and Media faculty. The through-line of the entire week.
Walk Into Senior Year as a Leader, Not a Résumé Line
At PALS at UCF you do not just learn about leadership. You run a team challenge, deliver a real pitch, and walk out with proof you can hand to an admissions officer or a hiring manager. That proof matters more than another club listing.
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.
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. University of Central Florida 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
- 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
Communication & Media
- Speak Up! Mastering the Art of Communication
- Public Speaking
- Active Listening
- Professionalism in Communication
- How to Email Your Professor
- Use of AI in College
- Media Literacy
- Civil Discourse and Engagement
Leadership & Interpersonal Development
- Crafting Your Leadership Identity
- Emotional Intelligence
- Emotional Intelligence for Personal Growth
- Emotional Regulation and Resilience
- Conflict Resolution
- True Colors
- Navigating Intersectionality and Empathy
College and Career Preparedness
- College Essay Writing
- College Readiness
- Career Readiness
- Make Your Resume Work for You
- College and Student Life Panel
- Time Management
* 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.
What You Do at PALS
Signature Experiences
Seven days at the University of Central Florida built around four skills no classroom teaches: speaking with presence, navigating disagreement with composure, telling your story with intention, and leading yourself through pressure.
The Voice Lab
Master the skill that wins college interviews and scholarship rounds: speaking with clarity and presence under pressure. Nicholson School of Communication and Media faculty lead workshop sessions on stage presence, vocal control, and audience awareness. You rehearse with PALS staff and peer partners through the week, then deliver your speech at the Awards Banquet.
- Nicholson-led stage presence and delivery workshops
- Daily rehearsal with peer and staff feedback
- Live speech delivered at the Awards Banquet
Bridge Builders Workshop
Practice the hardest skill admissions officers and employers say young people are missing: navigating disagreement with composure. Nicholson School faculty lead workshop sessions on civil discourse, conflict resolution, and listening across difference. You apply the lessons through real scripts and peer scenarios with PALS staff coaching.
- Civil discourse and conflict resolution workshops
- Real-script role-play and peer scenarios
- PALS staff-coached debrief sessions
Story Studio
Learn to shape and tell your story with intention. Nicholson School of Communication and Media faculty teach personal narrative, storytelling principles, and audience awareness in workshop sessions. You apply the lessons through guided writing exercises, peer feedback rounds, and a final personal pitch delivered to the cohort. The skills carry directly into college essays, scholarship interviews, and any room you walk into next.
- Personal narrative and storytelling workshops
- Guided writing exercises and peer feedback
- Final personal pitch delivered to the cohort
Resilience and Wellness Leadership
Leadership starts with managing yourself. Evidence-based tools for stress, focus, conflict recovery, and supporting peers. Daily practice, real situations, no jargon.
- Daily SEL and self-management practice
- Tools for stress, focus, and conflict recovery
- Peer-support and community-care frameworks
Program Impact & Participant Voices
Collected independently from PALS participants through daily workshop surveys and post-program surveys. Results reflect the 2025 PALS cohort hosted at the University of Central Florida, the most recent program data available.
When they talked about changing your mindset so that one event like a bad grade doesn’t tank your trajectory.
Facilitated by Darlene Ramirez
I liked the part where we learned about dissecting a college essay into theme, topic, evidence, etc. It helped me understand how exactly I should think about framing my writing.
I thought it was valuable to learn about my leadership color and understand the way I target leadership in groups and with my peers.
I liked how Dr. Rubenking taught us to MANAGE social media, not just cut it out altogether.
Facilitated by Dr. Rubenking, Nicholson School of Communication and Media
The 3 P’s: prepare, posture, pander your audience. What to avoid using in speeches, how to impromptu speak, and that I can actually do it.
Facilitated by Nicholson School of Communication and Media faculty
The part that was most valuable to me was analyzing the factors that made the speech we watched so impactful. It added to my understanding of how to craft a meaningful message.
Facilitated by Nicholson School of Communication and Media faculty
Dr. Bridget was able to teach us how to evaluate and understand what message the media is exposing us to.
Facilitated by Dr. Bridget, Nicholson School of Communication and Media
PALS 2025. Recognition & Highlights
Award recipients · 2025 Winning Service Project PSA · Participant voices
2025 Award Recipients
- Sabrina Smithies | Resilient Leader Award
- Joaquin Lopez | Empathy in Action Award
- Kaylen Borges | Collaboration Champion Award
- Felix Taylor | Social Justice Advocate Award
- Hanna Schulz | Service Excellence Award
- Tanvi Gambiraopet | Leadership Award
- Suhani Ranaut | Excellence in Leadership Award
- Isabella Lopez | Peer Empowerment Award
- Jared Nortman | Inclusive Leadership Award
- Gavin Breeding | Emerging Leader Award
- Swadheep Kodathala | Connection & Courage Award
- Yolanda Parris-Amore | Volunteer Impact AwardBarry Univ.
- Gabriela Jimenez | Volunteer Impact AwardUniv. of Florida
- Briahna Hill | Volunteer Impact AwardUniv. of Central Florida
- Sarah Schulman | The Guiding Light AwardNortheastern Univ., London
2025 Winning Service Project PSA
Gun Violence Awareness PSA, 2025 Champions
The winning PALS 2025 team produced a public service announcement on gun violence in schools, recognized for its compelling research, visuals, and clear call to action. All participants earn 50 verified community service hours through the PSA challenge.
Winning Team:
Suhani • Joaquin • Jael • Sabrina • Aidan
Every PALS participant works in a team to produce a real Public Service Announcement addressing a community issue, applying public speaking, research, and advocacy skills built throughout the week. Teams present at the Awards Banquet.
What Participants Say
I am so proud that I improved this week. I stepped out of my comfort zone and talked about things I hadn’t before, and I talked to so many people.
I filmed scenes for my group’s PSA. The research, the filming, the presenting, it felt like real advocacy, and my group said my cinematographic vision was realized.
I love PALS and thank you so much for all that you have taught me and helped me improve myself this week.
More Practice. Real Faculty. .
We looked at the most well-known teen leadership programs in the country. PALS at University of Central Florida 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 University of Central FloridaFrom $2,400 | Conference Programs$2,995–$6,795 | University Civic Programs$3,070–$5,475 | Ivy Pre-College Programs$4,050–$6,100+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Central Florida campus, Orlando, 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 · $1,420 Regular
Scholarships & payment plans available. email pals@nveee.org to apply or request details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about PALS at University of Central Florida
PALS at University of Central Florida is a seven-day residential leadership and college preparedness program for high school students in grades 9-12, hosted June 17–23, 2026 on the University of Central Florida campus in Orlando, 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. 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 Voice for Change Project, a team-based PSA service initiative students develop and present at the Awards Banquet. 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 University of Central Florida 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 the University of Central Florida 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, communication, leadership, advocacy, and college preparation, taught by Nicholson School of Communication and Media faculty and PALS staff. They complete The Voice for Change Project, a team-based PSA service initiative they develop and present at the Awards Banquet. They explore the UCF campus and downtown Orlando, with sessions led by university faculty, community leaders, and PALS alumni. Evening activities include a recognition ceremony, art therapy, karaoke, 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 the University of Central Florida is operated under NVEEE’s youth-program safety protocols, in coordination with the University of Central Florida campus partners. 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. Refund requests should be sent to pals@nveee.org.