St. Francis University is once again partnering with the National Hispanic Institute (NHI) to host the Northeast Great Debate from July 7–11, 2025 in Loretto, Pennsylvania. The program will welcome 30 rising 10th graders from the Eastern U.S. and Guatemala, launching the first phase of NHI’s three-part leadership education series for high-performing Latino high school students.
During the six-day program, students are drafted onto teams by college-aged NHI alumni, who serve as coaches and mentors. Participants prepare and compete in multiple categories, including oratory, extemporaneous speaking, cross-examination, and mock trial.
Though rooted in competition, the Great Debate emphasizes collaboration, laying the groundwork for NHI’s next two programs: a youth legislative session for rising juniors and a college prep and inquiry-based learning experience for rising seniors.
NHI’s “immersive-disruptive” model brings students onto college campuses—sometimes for the first time—offering transformative experiences that go beyond the classroom.
“This program brings students together to build ideas for the future, while helping them develop the public speaking and communication skills that raise their value as leaders,” said Nicole Nieto, NHI’s executive vice president. “We’re excited to be working with St. Francis University again to set the stage for this Great Debate.”
Founded in 1979 in Austin, Texas, NHI has impacted over 100,000 alumni across the U.S. and Latin America, with a mission to cultivate community leaders through leadership development, education, and networking.
