Future Leaders Academy welcomes 68 students for intensive yearlong program
By Juan Pablo Salas
From the July-September 2025 issue of Critical Times. Print versions are available for free at WSLR+Fogartyville and other community gathering spaces in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
The Future Leaders Academy (FLA) of UnidosNow has enrolled 68 low-income and mostly first-generation students from Sarasota and Manatee counties in this year’s program, marking another record-breaking cohort following last year’s 65 participants. Summer activities are already underway for the intensive program that runs from June 2025 to May 2026.
Andrea Doggett, Director of Strategy and Program Operations at UnidosNow, explained that the comprehensive FLA program includes four summer weeks of workshops followed by 10 monthly sessions throughout the academic year. Applications open between January and March annually, with the program culminating in Celebration Day, when graduates receive recognition before advancing their careers.
Building Connections and Essential Skills
Since students arrive from different counties and schools, initial activities focus on network building and trust development. Through small groups, partnered work and affinity games, participants build connections that enhance their learning experience. Students practice finding common ground with others and develop confidence through activities like mock interviews.
Public speaking development stands as one of the program’s most crucial components. Every student participates in activities designed to stretch their comfort zones, with many graduates showcasing these newfound skills during speeches at Celebration Day.
Self-Discovery and College Preparation
Students then transition to college preparation and self-discovery. They explore career interests while navigating family expectations and personal pressures. The program helps broaden their understanding of available pathways, emphasizing that multiple routes exist to achieve educational goals.
Some students may thrive in smaller college environments; others might need additional English support or technical training before pursuing four-year degrees; and some benefit from staying close to family. The key is expanding students’ awareness of their options while developing personalized plans that consider timing, costs and locations.
Students observe their peers’ journeys in real time, gaining insights into how different paths might work for their own situations.
Campus Experiences and Practical Outcomes
The program includes visits to local institutions, including Suncoast Technical College, Ringling College of Art and Design, Manatee Technical College and State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. However, recent legislative changes granting federal authority to campus police departments may complicate some visits for certain enrolled students.
By program completion, participants will have developed college lists, comprehensive plans and college admission strategies. Students gain access to a college and career readiness platform for completing aptitude and interest assessments, creating resumes, and working with college coaches on individualized readiness plans.
The FLA program represents UnidosNow’s commitment to empowering Hispanic students through comprehensive support that extends far beyond traditional academic preparation, creating pathways to higher education and professional success.
Juan Pablo Salas is the director of development and communications for UnidosNow.