Rural Youth Catalyst Summit

Are you a high school student passionate about making a difference in your rural community?

The Rural Youth Catalyst Summit is your opportunity to step into the future as a leader, innovator, and changemaker. Designed for talented, driven young individuals from rural areas, this exclusive event brings together the brightest minds who are ready to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities facing rural communities today.

The Rural Youth Catalyst Summit is on March 29, 2025 at the National Ranching Heritage Center on the Texas Tech University campus.

 

The summit is a unique and free opportunity for high school sophomores and juniors from rural communities to engage in leadership development, skill-building workshops, and discussions about the challenges and opportunities facing youth in rural areas.

The event will bring together students, community leaders, and professionals to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders. The speaker schedule is still being finalized, but the order of the day is as follows:

 

 

9:00 AM | Breakfast/Welcome/ Order of the Day

9:15 AM | Meet West Texas! Networking Session

9:45 AM | Workshop 1: Leadership & Marketing Yourself

10:30 AM | Workshop  2: Future of Agriculture, Water, & Rural Communities

11:20 AM | Keynote Speaker

12:00 PM | Lunch

1:00 PM | Hometown Heroes Panel

2:00 PM | Solutions for our communities activity

3:00 PM | Reporting our findings

3:30 PM | Next steps and getting involved in your community

4:00 PM | Dismiss

4:15 PM | Optional Campus Tour

A light breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided. Restroom and refreshment breaks will be incorporated throughout the day

 

 

This summit is ideal for high school students who:

• Are passionate about improving their rural communities.
• Want to develop skills in leadership, problem-solving, and community advocacy.
• Are ready to network with professionals, and other students committed to change.
• Demonstrate exceptional dedication and a track record of involvement in local projects or initiatives.