Business and Leadership Academy
High school students can learn how leaders turn ideas into successful ventures while building confidence and practical skills.
About the Academy
Step into the world of entrepreneurship in this immersive, one-week experience. Work with a team to develop and pitch your own startup idea while learning the fundamentals of business innovation—market research, branding, product design, and strategic planning.
Throughout this one week program, rising 9th–12th graders collaborate with peers, engage with business mentors, visit a local company to see leadership in action, and wrap up the week with a showcase of your team’s business concept.
Academy Details
- Cost: $1,000 (includes required materials, supplies, and participation in on-campus summer activities)
- Registration Deadline: June 12, 2026
- Non Credit
Work directly with Adelphi faculty to develop a business concept and learn core business skills this summer.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of the academy, you will:
- Design and plan your own start-up by collaborating with peers on a business concept
- Learn core business skills, including market research, branding, and strategic planning
- Explore real-world business operations through visits to local companies and meetings with professionals
- Gain leadership insights from entrepreneurs and faculty mentors
- Strengthen teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Build confidence through hands-on, project-based learning
Meet Your Professor
Michael O’Donnell is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Adelphi University’s Willumstad School of Business. Michael teaches courses in Decision Sciences, and joined Adelphi after 10 years in corporate data science and analytics roles. Some of the companies Michael worked for include Avaya, Ross Stores, and a series-B, AI startup named CB4 that was successfully acquired by GAP Inc in late 2021. Michael looks forward to bringing his startup, business, coding and analytics knowledge to the Business and Leadership Institute this Summer.