Frequently Asked Questions

Four Star Leadership is held once a year in the summertime. The 2026 Four Star Leadership Program will be held July 19-24.

Please visit the Apply page for further details.

 Four Star Leadership is a world-class summer leadership program that welcomes 80 of the top high school rising junior and seniors from around the world to meet face-to-face with national and international leaders. The program offers a once in a lifetime opportunity, confronting students with practical leadership and ethical scenarios and challenging them to address them individually in a persuasive speech and writing competition, and collaboratively in an Ethics Bowl competition.

Students develop skills in team building, persuasive speaking, persuasive writing, and collective problem solving. This is an extraordinary opportunity for high school students to learn, to enhance their leaderships skills, and to potentially gain scholarships, internships and recommendations. The program is built around the core principles of CHARACTER, COMMON VISION, COMMUNICATION and CARING, which guided General Tommy Franks through a 38-year military career. These principles form a platform of discovery for the next generation of America's leaders. 

The program is FREE to students.  Selected students will have the option to fly or drive to the program. If students choose to drive, IRS mileage rate will be paid for mileage to and from student's home address to the University of Central Oklahoma up to the cost of an economy round trip airline ticket from the closet airport to student's home.  Program will also cover baggage fee for 1 (One) checked bag if airline charges for checked baggage. 

Students will receive training from business professionals, university professors and other experts. Moreover, students will have an opportunity to interact with high-profile leaders who will teach them about leading large organizations with many competing interests and high stakes. Alumni counselors will also be mentors to students. 

Men: While in lectures and training sessions, dress pants should be worn each day of the week. Short sleeve polo-type shirts are encouraged. Long sleeve dress shirts are also welcomed, but not mandatory. For the final event, a shirt and tie are required.

Women: While in lectures and training sessions, nice pants or skirts that sit below the knee. Short sleeve tops are allowed through the week. For the final event, nice dresses or pantsuits are required.

Both: For our tour and excursions, Four Star Leadership polos and t-shirts will be provided upon arrival in Oklahoma. No sleeveless, tank tops, cut-off shirts or bare mid-drifts are allowed. No apparel containing offensive or inappropriate images or language is allowed. Students should bring enough clothes to last the entire trip. However, if laundry is necessary, students may use the machines located in the dorms at the University of Central Oklahoma. 

Comfortable shoes are a must. Students will walk to several locations around the campus on a daily basis.  Clean tennis shoes are fine, especially on travel days. No flip flops or athletic sides can be worn outside of the dorms.

Four Star students will share a room with another four star student. Each student will have one twin bed, a small writing desk, chair, small closet for clothing, and a shared vanity with mirror and sink in each room. There are several shared bathrooms on each floor for students.  Male and female students will be housed separately in the same dorm building.  Four Star counselors will be housed throughout same dorm building as well. The dorm has a kitchen area, which will be stocked with fruits, vegetables, snacks, and water.  Students will also have access to both private and group study pods, a theater room, as well as ping pong tables, billiard tables, and a laundry room all within their dorm building. Students will also have access to the UCO wellness center, which provides indoor basketball courts, walking trail, an array of free weights and machines 

It will be summer in Oklahoma when the program takes place. Typically, summers in Oklahoma can be very HOT and HUMID.  Highs will easily reach into the 90's and 100's. 

 We encourage you to pack lightly. This will be a challenge, but a necessity, due to the cost associated with flying. Four Star Leadership with pay for one bag per student.  Additional bags and any overweight fees will be the student's responsibility.  Remember not to bring any liquids in your carry-on luggage.  

All of your meals will be provided while at Four Star Leadership. While on campus, the cafeteria at the University of Central Oklahoma provides well-balanced and freshly prepared meals every day. If a dietary restriction is medically or religiously necessary, please let four star staff know. 

Your accommodations, meals and airfare are all covered by the program sponsors. You may choose to bring spending money for miscellaneous items while on the trip. Students will have access to UCO's bookstore, snack bar, and Starbucks located in the Nigh University Center.  ATM machines are also available throughout the campus. You will be able to use a debit/credit card at most locations. 

If a student requires to be seen by a medical professional, they will be taken to the closest Urgent Care by a Four Star staff member. If a student requires more serious medical attention, they will be taken to a local hospital. Cost not covered by your health insurance will be the family's responsibility. 

Students are allowed to bring their cell phones. However, check with your service provider to find out if there are any restrictions to your plan. If you do not have a nationwide plan, you may incur roaming charges. The Four Star program and partner organizations will not be responsible for fees charged to cell phones. 

 Students are allowed to bring a camera for photographs. The Four Star program and partner organizations cannot be held responsible for lost or stolen items you might bring from home. Please be cautious of all your belongings and be mindful of their placement during the week. With several different transportation options, keeping record of personal belongings will be crucial. Marking, tagging, labeling, etc., will help ensure that you can find your belongings among all the other students.

Students are allowed to bring their own laptop to Four Star. Remember, the Four Star program and partner organizations will not be responsible for lost or stolen items you might bring from home. Marking, tagging, labeling, etc., will help ensure that you can find your belongings among all the other students.

We understand many students are shy in situations in which they are not familiar. While the first day will be spent getting to know fellow Four Star students, counselors, and staff we will make sure each student is as comfortable as possible. Although it is our experience to see those shy students on the first day blossom by the last day. It is likely that there will be media presence at the program. Please make sure you have filled out and submitted the media release form and notify us of any concerns.