The Miniai LEAD Now Summer Institute and the Fernandez Fellowship Program are dedicated to ensuring that talented high school students have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills with the goal of succeeding in college and becoming effective professional and community leaders.

The Miniaci Family Lead Now Summer Institute is a two-year, six-week summer program for qualified high school students. The Institute provides six college credits in communication arts, offers weekly training in 21st Century leadership, enrolls students in college preparatory courses in mathematics and English, and includes experience in community service.

The Fernandez Fellowship Program provides graduates of the Lead Now program an annually renewable scholarship towards tuition for any of the undergraduate academic programs offered at St. Thomas University and provides a continued professional and peer mentorship program for these scholars.

Program Features

• Earn 6 college credits
• Complete college preparatory courses
• Receive leadership training
• Belong to the “Fernandez Fellowship Program”
• Work with a professional mentor
• Design a professional e-portfolio
• Awarded an annual $5,000 Fernandez Fellowship Program upon successful completion of the program
• Guaranteed St. Thomas University admission upon successful completion of the program