Leadership Jacksonville, an organization that develops youth and adult leaders in Northeast Florida, announces it is now accepting applications for its Collegiate Leadership Experience (CLE) Class of 2014 through March 20. The program is a unique summer opportunity for college students to interact with community leaders, network with professionals, go behind the scenes to explore difficult issues facing the community and learn about its accomplishments.

Students applying for the program must be rising sophomores, juniors, seniors or graduate students, preferably between 18 and 28 years old, and have been enrolled in college for at least two semesters by the beginning of the program in June 2014.

Currently in its ninth year, more than 300 college students have participated in the summer program, which is for undergraduate and graduate students attending college in Northeast Florida or with a permanent Northeast Florida address while attending college elsewhere.

While exploring what it means to be a community trustee, students learn from each other through interactive and problem-solving activities.

“CLE is an extraordinary program that benefits not only the students involved, but also the Northeast Florida community,” said Jill Langford Dame, executive director of Leadership Jacksonville. “Eighty-seven percent of students who have completed CLE said they are more likely to live and work in Northeast Florida, which in turn means that we are more likely to have an educated, competent workforce remain in our community.”

Applications will be accepted through March 20 for the 2014 CLE program that will begin in June. To learn more about the program or to apply, visit www.leadershipjax.org or call (904) 396-6263.