Student Voice

Student voice drives lasting change. When students have a seat at the table, they shape the conversations that guide their schools and communities. They bring fresh insight, bold ideas and the drive to solve real challenges. SEI brings together partners, tools and student-led programs to make youth voice a catalyst for progress across the county.

Sustainable change: Youth-led solutions last because they address root causes. By centering student voices, we build initiatives grounded in real priorities.
Authentic engagement: The best decisions are grounded in lived experience. When students lead, their perspectives guide policies and practices that respond to real needs.
Collective ownership: Empowered students become ambassadors, championing issues among peers, families and local leaders. As advocates, they rally broader community support and help maintain momentum.
Resilience & hope: Leadership opportunities foster self-efficacy, promote a sense of belonging, and cultivate the next generation of changemakers who believe they can make a difference.

We ensure student voices are not only heard, but translated into meaningful, data-driven action by embedding youth expertise into our objectives, initiatives, partnerships and data tools, Through SCYC, SEE clubs, the Akron Youth Leadership Council and our high-impact partners, we have:

United hundreds of students across multiple school districts in county-wide decision-making.
Informed policy shifts that reflect student-identified priorities around safety, equity, and well-being.
Highlighted funding gaps and redirected resources to youth-driven strategies for violence prevention, academic support, and out-of-school engagement.

Together, we are building a Summit County where young people lead with purpose, power, and perseverance—ensuring that their voices shape a thriving community.

Elevate youth participation in decision making: Empower students across Summit County to meaningfully influence policies, programs and practices that shape their lives and neighborhoods.
Develop youth leadership pathways: Create structured opportunities for students to build leadership skills, deepen civic knowledge and transition into long-term roles as community changemakers.
Advance youth safety and prevent violence: Collaborate directly with young people to identify root causes of violence and co-create prevention strategies, especially in out-of-school-time settings.
Amplify youth voice: Design and deploy resources that visualize student input, illustrate emerging trends and inspire community action based on data-driven insights.