WILS 2026
June 12th - 14th in Waukesha, Wisconsin at Carrol University
2026 marks the 49th year that our program will be offered at no cost to the schools or students!
Why should you nominate a student to represent your school at WILS?
Nominating a student for the Wisconsin Leadership Seminars (WILS) is a meaningful way to recognize their leadership potential while providing them with a transformative growth opportunity. In our society, a great deal of attention and media exposure is given to young adults who act negatively. WILS is set up to provide recognition and growth opportunities to students who act positively and acknowledge that we value the contributions they are making now and those they will make in the future.
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Each year, WILS invites schools from Wisconsin & Upper Michigan to nominate one sophomore leader to participate in our annual three-day seminar. Attendees join an elite group of young leaders, engaging in activities that build self-confidence and purpose. Students explore their leadership styles, interact with peers from diverse backgrounds, and gain new perspectives through discussions, workshops, and hands-on projects. We encourage leadership development through emphasis on our pillars of personal responsibility, service, inclusiveness, and decision making.
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Thanks to generous donors and a 100% volunteer-run organization, WILS covers all costs, including lodging, meals, materials, facilities, staffing, and a t-shirt. This ensures that every nominated student has access to this prestigious experience based on their merit, not their socioeconomic status.
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The opportunities with WILS don’t end after the annual seminar. Participants can join WILS’ active alumni association, which offers ongoing leadership development through volunteer opportunities, networking events, and even college scholarships along with the opportunity to serve on statewide committees to help plan and staff future leadership seminars. Alumni often credit WILS as a pivotal moment in their personal and professional growth.
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By nominating a student, you not only reward their contributions but also showcase your school’s commitment to fostering leadership development. WILS alumni are often inspired to give back to their communities, making a lasting positive impact. This is a chance for your school to spotlight a student who excels in academics, extracurricular activities, or community service—or one who shows untapped leadership potential that could flourish with encouragement. A nomination honors a deserving student while opening doors to a lifetime of opportunity.
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Item descriptionEvery high school in the state of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan is allowed to nominate one current sophomore student to attend our annual seminar, free of charge. This includes all types of schools - public, private, charter, and virtual. We also welcome home schooled students who are 15-16 years old and at a comparable sophomore status. Please email seminarchair@wils.us for questions about nominating a homeschool student.
Nomination Process
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Choose your Nominee
Choose one sophomore form the 2025-2026 school year as your primary nominee and one alternate. Select a student who has demonstrated strong leadership potential. If your school already has a nomination process, use it! Otherwise, determine the selection criteria that best fits for your school.
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Submit the Nomination
Complete and submit the nomination for both your primary nominee and alternate. Be sure all required information is accurate before submitting.
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Watch for Confirmation
After your nomination has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email. Within a few weeks, the nominated student will also receive an email with program details and registration information.
Student Experience
Within a few weeks of being nominated, students will receive a congratulatory email from WILS with information about what WILS is, seminar dates & location, and notification that the experience is fully sponsored along with information to watch for registration materials to come via email in March. Students will check in for the seminar on the morning of Friday, June 12th and check out on the afternoon of Sunday, June 14th. For students traveling long distances, we do have an option to arrive on the evening of Thursday, June 11th however, there is a nominal charge to cover the additional housing and meal costs. Students are housed in residence halls on the campus of Carroll University. Our staff are on site 24/7 and lodge in the residence halls with the students.
Seminar activities include keynote speakers, small group discussions, hands-on personal exploration & leadership development activities and group team builders, personal reflection, service projects, interactive workshops & panels with community leaders, and social activities in the evenings. Every student leader will be placed in a small home group for the weekend with about 7-8 student leaders, a junior staff member who is 16-20 years old & is a WILS alumni, and a group facilitator who is 21+ years old. This home group enables small group discussions and connects students with staff members to guide them through the program. Students will have opportunities to interact and build relationships with both people in their home group and 200 other students from all over Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Because everyone in attendance is the only student from their school, this is an opportunity for students to bring their authentic and unique selves to a new experience!
We look forward to WILS 2026 and to working with you many years into the future! Questions about this year’s seminar? Contact our seminar chair at seminar@wils.us.