At Summit Education Initiative (SEI), we value elevating and amplifying student voices and creating meaningful opportunities for young people to help shape the schools and communities they experience every day.
Our Student Voice work creates opportunities for young people to share their experiences, develop as leaders, identify issues that matter to them, and influence decisions and solutions. We also work alongside adults and youth-serving organizations to strengthen the environments, practices, and partnerships needed for authentic youth voice to thrive.
Create opportunities for young people to share their experiences and perspectives.
Help young people investigate the issues that matter to them.
Build the skills and confidence young people need to lead.
Equip young people to develop and test solutions.
Create pathways for student ideas to reach decision-makers.
Authentic student voice requires both young people who are prepared and supported to lead and adults and institutions that are prepared to listen, respond, and act. The Summit County Youth Coalition develops and connects young leaders, while the Akron Youth Leadership Collective strengthens the adults and organizations working alongside them.
Through youth-led surveys, elevating student experiences and perspectives.
Established to identify challenges and develop solutions within schools.
In Collaborative Improvement Processes, including research and data analysis.
In leadership and community voice opportunities across the county.
Empower students to meaningfully influence policies, programs and practices that shape their lives and neighborhoods.
Create structured opportunities to build leadership skills, deepen civic knowledge and transition into long-term roles
Collaborate with young people to identify root causes of violence and co-create prevention strategies, especially in out-of-school settings.
Deploy resources that visualize student input, illustrate trends and inspire community action through data-driven insights.
Our work is advanced through two complementary initiatives — one focused on developing and elevating young leaders, and the other on strengthening the adults and organizations that create opportunities for authentic youth voice.
Brings together young people to develop their leadership skills, elevate the experiences of their peers, and influence positive change within their schools and communities. The Coalition currently operates through SEE Akron, engaging Akron Public Schools students in a structured youth leadership and continuous improvement experience.
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Brings together adults and organizations committed to creating stronger opportunities for young people to lead and influence decisions. Through shared learning, resources, coordination, and capacity building, AYLC strengthens organizations’ ability to authentically engage young people.
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Whether you are a young person interested in making a difference or an adult or organization committed to strengthening youth voice, there are opportunities to connect with this work.
