An Important note from our Lead Instructor of Programs,
Hannah Kidner
As a mother and an educator, I know firsthand the weight of every decision you make for your child’s future.
I’ve walked the same path you’re on—navigating the ever-changing landscape of education, college admissions, and the challenge of preparing my own child for an increasingly competitive world.
Beyond being a parent, for six years, I served as Director of St. John’s, a private school in New York ranked in the top 20% nationwide, with over 1,200 students and 94 teachers—99% of whom hold advanced degrees. My career has been dedicated to ensuring that students receive the strongest academic foundation possible.
During my time at St. John’s, I saw firsthand that while education equips students for the future, parents are focused on something even more immediate—college admissions. Across St. John’s and the tens of thousands of families in the private school system, the central concern has always been how to secure the best university opportunities for their children.
Interacting with thousands of families as both a mother and a school director has given me a pragmatic and results-driven perspective on what it truly takes to shape the next generation of changemakers and leaders at scale. Real change requires not just idealism but practical strategies that empower students to succeed in both the short and long term.
In addition to my work in education, I am a UN Credentialed ECOSOC CS, advocating for youth empowerment and sustainable development at the United Nations headquarters.
At GYEL, alongside our Coalition Partners to the United Nations, I bring both perspectives—that of a mother and an education leader—to ensure that students are not just educated, but fully prepared for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
For over 25 years, I’ve had the privilege of serving in Catholic education, working alongside educators, administrators, students, and families who share a commitment to faith, learning, and community. Throughout this time, I’ve worn many hats—each one deepening my understanding of what it means to lead, serve, and build programs that empower young people for life beyond the classroom. The GYEL Program calls to every fiber of my being in the opportunities we afford our youth today.My educational career began at St. Mary’s College Preparatory High School in Manhasset, NY, where I spent 20 years contributing in a variety of roles that reflected both breadth and depth in educational leadership and student support.
At St. Mary’s, I served as a Guidance Counselor, Chairperson, and Registrar, while also leading our Graduation, International Travel, and Standardized Testing efforts (SAT, ACT, SSD). I coordinated Naviance programs and worked closely with Manhasset School District to manage IEP, IESP, and 504 Accommodation Plans—ensuring that students with unique learning needs received the support they deserved.
A particular point of pride has been supporting students through their college admissions journeys—guiding applicants to prestigious institutions such as Yale, Columbia, Cornell, MIT, NYU, and UC Berkeley. In athletics, I coached Men’s Varsity Soccer and Girls Varsity Softball, helping to rebuild the soccer program into a top 4 team in the NSCHSAA, with several athletes advancing to Division I and Division II programs.
On the administrative side, I led the integration of the Blackbaud LMS system (myschoolapp) and helped automate grading and scheduling processes, enabling a more streamlined and transparent experience for faculty, students, and their families.
In 2020, I joined St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip, NY, as the school’s first-ever Director of Admissions. In this role, I combined strategic thinking with technology to modernize and elevate the enrollment process.
I led the automation of the admissions pipeline, from inquiry through enrollment, and redesigned the school’s website to boost accessibility and engagement. I also launched initiatives such as Touring Tuesdays & Thursdays, Cougar for a Day, and revamped Open House events—each designed to deepen prospective family engagement. I’m particularly proud of having tripled international student enrollment in one academic year by enhancing our SEVIS/DSO protocols and creating a more welcoming and supportive experience for global students.
Additionally, I’ve helped re-establish and strengthen relationships with feeder schools, created Student and Parent Ambassador programs, and collaborated with the guidance team to align admissions criteria with academic success outcomes, narrowing the performance gap between incoming students among our competitors. I helped initiate new academic programs such as the Bloomberg Terminal Program and advised administration in realigning the curriculum to enable 9th graders to enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) classes such as AP World History (Modern) and AP Seminar.
At the heart of everything I do is a deep commitment to faith-based education—one that fosters academic excellence, holistic development, and a sense of purpose in every student. Whether in guidance, admissions, coaching, or Administration, my mission has remained the same: to help young people grow into thoughtful, capable, and compassionate leaders.
As I look ahead, I remain passionate that GYEL is a program of excellence, and I am resolute in guiding our programs to continue to deliver on our core mission: support student success, advancing education, and continuing to develop our youth as leaders in service to others.
But perhaps most importantly, we don’t dictate an agenda.
Unlike many programs that focus on an abstract vision of their own agenda disconnected from what families actually need, GYEL works collaboratively with parents, students, educators, and industry leaders.
Because developing global changemakers requires more than just ambition—it demands an understanding of how real success is built.
A perfect example of this is financial literacy. If we were to poll 100 parents, nearly all would say that personal financial knowledge is important.
But when it comes down to it, parents rarely enroll their children in these programs because they believe there are more pressing matters—such as college readiness, admissions, academics, and extracurriculars—that are more immediate needs.
The truth is that real transformation happens when we work within the system—leveraging what already drives success to create real opportunities.
We don’t have programs for the sake of having programs. We equip students with the tools to thrive now—so they can become the world-changing leaders of the future.
Offering firsthand insights into what matters most in their child’s education, ensuring that GYEL complements their goal of providing both immediate and long-term advantages.
Because university admissions are a critical milestone, we designed GYEL to align with what top institutions truly value in applicants.
By working with today’s innovators, we ensure students develop the skills and knowledge needed for a rapidly advancing world—focusing on AI, IoT, and emerging technologies to prepare them for the future job market.
Consulting with admissions professionals from top global universities to understand what they look for in applicants, what’s often lacking in students, and how GYEL can bridge these gaps to develop high-achieving candidates.
At GYEL, our primary mission is to remove financial barriers for promising students so they can excel and emerge as future leaders. We operate through a sustainable model that empowers students in need while inviting the world’s wealthiest families to contribute their fair share. This approach ensures that all students—regardless of socioeconomic background—can benefit from GYEL’s robust programming, mentorship, and global opportunities.
For families with annual household incomes below $200,000, GYEL provides substantial need-based assistance and full subsidies—a generous threshold established by our UN stakeholders. Our program’s sustainability is maintained through ongoing support from dedicated United Nations stakeholders, international partners, and families among the world’s wealthiest 1% of highest-income families (those earning $200,000+ annually). These wealthy families are asked to contribute their equitable share of administrative costs.
This equitable structure ensures program access while maintaining excellence and sustainability. Through our carefully calibrated approach, we have established a framework that will keep our program available not just for years but for decades to come. Our model helps protect students from losing access to these exceptional opportunities due to global pandemics, external world events, or economic fluctuations, enabling GYEL to continue empowering high-achieving students in fulfilling their leadership potential for generations to come.
Today, GYEL program’s scholarship grants have had a transformative impact on the lives of countless students, enabling them to pursue higher education without the burden of financial constraints.
Many recipients have successfully completed their degrees, secured meaningful employment,
and are now contributing to their communities in significant ways.
Rolling admissions is a flexible admissions process where applicants can submit their applications at any time within a specified period. Applications are reviewed as they are received, and admission decisions are made on a rolling basis, usually within 2-4 weeks. This approach provides greater flexibility for applicants, allowing them to apply when they feel ready, rather than being restricted to a single deadline. Additionally, rolling admissions often result in faster decision processing, as applications are evaluated continuously rather than all at once.
Many universities and programs adopt rolling admissions, including Brown Pre-College (https://precollege.brown.edu/apply) and the University of Pittsburgh (https://admissions.pitt.edu/first-year-student/). While there is no strict deadline, all applications must be submitted at least one month prior to the term start date.
Although our admissions standards remain consistent throughout the application period, the number of available spots does not. As more applicants are offered admission over time, fewer spots remain open. Therefore, submitting your application earlier can improve your chances of acceptance, simply because there is a greater pool of available seats earlier in the cycle.
The program is currently experiencing an unprecedented surge in applications than in previous years—which has placed an increased workload on the administrative team and application review committee. While each application is thoroughly reviewed, please allow 2–4 weeks to receive a decision. For general questions or clarifications, a response may be expected within the next business day.
Each term, we are honored to receive a notable number of applications from talented students worldwide. While our admissions committee carefully evaluates every application based on merit, leadership potential, and alignment with program values, the selection process remains rigorous.
Historically, our acceptance rate hovers around 20%, reflecting the program’s commitment to maintaining small, high-caliber cohorts that foster meaningful mentorship and collaboration. Given the increasing number of applications each year, early submission is encouraged to ensure the strongest possible consideration.
All applications are reviewed holistically, meaning there is no single formula for admission. While academic excellence and extracurricular achievements are important, we also look for individuals who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, a passion for leadership, and a drive to make a meaningful impact.
As the program continues to fulfill its mission of developing future global leaders, there has been a consistent increase in applications each year while maintaining a commitment to small cohort sizes that enable meaningful mentorship and collaborative learning. In response to this growth, the application policy has been revised: candidates may now submit one application per calendar year, rather than quarterly submissions as previously allowed. This change ensures fairness and consistency in the admissions process, particularly as the applicant pool expands while program capacity remains constant.
Applications continue to be welcomed in subsequent years. The selection committee membership rotates annually to maintain fresh perspectives, and it is recognized that meaningful personal and professional development often occurs between application cycles. Many qualified candidates are not admitted on their first attempt, and each new submission is evaluated independently, without reference to previous applications.
Yes. It is understood that circumstances may make it necessary for a student to step away. If a participant needs to unenroll at any time during the session, this may be done immediately without issue or prejudice. Additionally, if a family has made administrative cost contributions, all contributions will be returned. If a participant wishes to join the same program or another in the future, a new application would be required. Please note that no verification of GYEL completion will be issued if requested by other institutions.
No. A previous application outcome does not impact any subsequent submission. Each new application is reviewed independently, and there is a maximum of one application per year. Additionally, the decision committee is reconstituted annually, ensuring a fresh evaluation for every applicant.
Yes. Upon successful completion of the session, a formal certificate of completion will be issued, and verification letters will be provided to external institutions. Such verifications have previously been issued for various universities around the world, including:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – United States, Imperial College London – United Kingdom, University of Oxford – United Kingdom, Harvard University – United States, University of Cambridge – United Kingdom, Stanford University – United States, ETH Zurich – Switzerland, National University of Singapore (NUS) – Singapore, UCL – United Kingdom, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) – United States, Peking University – China, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) – Singapore, Cornell University – United States, The University of Hong Kong – Hong Kong SAR, The University of Sydney – Australia, The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) – Australia, Tsinghua University – China
The program is well-versed in international documentation standards and can provide institution-level certification upon request. Please note that a student must be in good standing without any disciplinary concerns in order for participation and achievements to be verified.
The program does not directly facilitate or sponsor internships. However, many past participants have pursued internships or research opportunities with UN-accredited intergovernmental organizations, UN-accredited NGOs, and offices of Ambassadors and Secretaries-General. While there is no influence or guarantee over these positions, it is recognized that many in the UN system are risk-averse and appreciate applicants with a proven record of professionalism. Accordingly, upon request, the program will forward official professionalism history to relevant institutions. No subjective opinions or recommendations are provided, only verification of conduct during the program. This allows prospective hosts to confirm an individual as a recognized individual with a documented track record in the UN system, as well as in other private or governmental institutions.
Students have access to support from their instructors via messaging in our Learning Management System, TalentLMS, and office hours. They can ask questions, seek guidance on assignments, receive feedback on their work, and more.
Yes, students will participate in various interactive activities, including debates, group discussions, case studies, and a final project presentation. These activities are designed to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios and enhance practical skills.
Please see the Need-Based Assistance page to determine if a family qualifies for Need-Based Assistance and Educational Grants.
Yes. The program includes components that may qualify for community service credit, and formal service-hour documentation has been provided for various educational and civic awards in the past.
The program is designed for middle school and high school students, typically those in grades 6–12 across the world.
Given that the program has students across the world who attend, it is held virtually.
Yes. In numerous circumstances, members of the program community—including diplomats and Coalition Partners to the UN—may issue letters of recommendation for students who demonstrate strong performance, research contributions, or leadership. These letters are authored without input from the student to maintain authenticity. For security and integrity reasons, recommendation letters are sent directly to the requesting institution and are not released to the student. Please note that simply completing GYEL sessions does not automatically qualify a participant to receive a recommendation letter.
Great question! Given the complexity of the UN’s structure, it can be challenging to understand how each component operates. The United Nations is an immense global organization with over 130,000 personnel, more than 6,000 UN-registered NGOs, and hundreds of departments, making it the world’s most comprehensive international institution—which is precisely why it is so vital to humanity.
The Global Youth Excellence & Leadership Program (GYEL) is a program within the UN system. Established a decade ago, GYEL was formed through a coalition of intergovernmental organizations, diplomats, ambassadors, permanent observers to the UN, NGOs, and organizations holding special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Rather than functioning as an external program, GYEL operates within the UN system and under the auspices of its Coalition Partners to the UN and diplomats and ambassadors registered and credentialed by both the UN and their respective state departments. For a visual representation of our structure, please see our About page. Each Coalition Partnersto the UN listed on our About page has signed a formal Institutional Agreement between their UN-affiliated organization or agency (recognized under the United Nations framework) and GYEL. They are not here in a personal or unofficial capacity. They represent their organization and agency in an official role as a designated signatory within the UN system.
GYEL’s primary Coalition Partners to the UN hold official UN credentials and security clearances. These are processed and registered through the United Nations Office and the United States Department of State, or their respective state departments, in adherence to all diplomatic protocols. They include sitting ambassadors, diplomats, and UN ECOSOC-registered special consultants, many of whose core role is to engage in high-level negotiations on behalf of the Permanent Observer, advise Heads of State, senior officials, and counterpart ambassadors on complex diplomatic and strategic matters at venues such as the United Nations, the White House, legislative bodies, and other major diplomatic forums.
Most recently, GYEL served as Deputy Convenor and Principal Partner at a UN plenary session, including the Strategic Innovation for Impact – UN Forum 2025, where it elevated youth voices and fostered cross-sector collaborations in the spirit of multilateral cooperation.
We encourage you to verify all information, including the credentials of diplomats, ambassadors, and UN ECOSOC Coalition Partners to the UN associated with GYEL, by consulting the appropriate authorities at the United Nations Headquarters or through official State Department channels.
Rolling admissions is a flexible admissions process where applicants can submit their applications at any time within a specified period. Applications are reviewed as they are received, and admission decisions are made on a rolling basis, usually within 2-4 weeks. This approach provides greater flexibility for applicants, allowing them to apply when they feel ready, rather than being restricted to a single deadline. Additionally, rolling admissions often result in faster decision processing, as applications are evaluated continuously rather than all at once.
Many universities and programs adopt rolling admissions, including Brown Pre-College (https://precollege.brown.edu/apply) and the University of Pittsburgh (https://admissions.pitt.edu/first-year-student/). While there is no strict deadline, all applications must be submitted at least one month prior to the term start date.
Although our admissions standards remain consistent throughout the application period, the number of available spots does not. As more applicants are offered admission over time, fewer spots remain open. Therefore, submitting your application earlier can improve your chances of acceptance, simply because there is a greater pool of available seats earlier in the cycle.
The program is currently experiencing an unprecedented surge in applications than in previous years—which has placed an increased workload on the administrative team and application review committee. While each application is thoroughly reviewed, please allow 2–4 weeks to receive a decision. For general questions or clarifications, a response may be expected within the next business day.
Each term, we are honored to receive a notable number of applications from talented students worldwide. While our admissions committee carefully evaluates every application based on merit, leadership potential, and alignment with program values, the selection process remains rigorous.
Historically, our acceptance rate hovers around 20%, reflecting the program’s commitment to maintaining small, high-caliber cohorts that foster meaningful mentorship and collaboration. Given the increasing number of applications each year, early submission is encouraged to ensure the strongest possible consideration.
All applications are reviewed holistically, meaning there is no single formula for admission. While academic excellence and extracurricular achievements are important, we also look for individuals who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, a passion for leadership, and a drive to make a meaningful impact.
As the program continues to fulfill its mission of developing future global leaders, there has been a consistent increase in applications each year while maintaining a commitment to small cohort sizes that enable meaningful mentorship and collaborative learning. In response to this growth, the application policy has been revised: candidates may now submit one application per calendar year, rather than quarterly submissions as previously allowed. This change ensures fairness and consistency in the admissions process, particularly as the applicant pool expands while program capacity remains constant.
Applications continue to be welcomed in subsequent years. The selection committee membership rotates annually to maintain fresh perspectives, and it is recognized that meaningful personal and professional development often occurs between application cycles. Many qualified candidates are not admitted on their first attempt, and each new submission is evaluated independently, without reference to previous applications.
Yes. It is understood that circumstances may make it necessary for a student to step away. If a participant needs to unenroll at any time during the session, this may be done immediately without issue or prejudice. Additionally, if a family has made administrative cost contributions, all contributions will be returned. If a participant wishes to join the same program or another in the future, a new application would be required. Please note that no verification of GYEL completion will be issued if requested by other institutions.
No. A previous application outcome does not impact any subsequent submission. Each new application is reviewed independently, and there is a maximum of one application per year. Additionally, the decision committee is reconstituted annually, ensuring a fresh evaluation for every applicant.
Yes. Upon successful completion of the session, a formal certificate of completion will be issued, and verification letters will be provided to external institutions. Such verifications have previously been issued for various universities around the world, including:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – United States, Imperial College London – United Kingdom, University of Oxford – United Kingdom, Harvard University – United States, University of Cambridge – United Kingdom, Stanford University – United States, ETH Zurich – Switzerland, National University of Singapore (NUS) – Singapore, UCL – United Kingdom, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) – United States, Peking University – China, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) – Singapore, Cornell University – United States, The University of Hong Kong – Hong Kong SAR, The University of Sydney – Australia, The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) – Australia, Tsinghua University – China
The program is well-versed in international documentation standards and can provide institution-level certification upon request. Please note that a student must be in good standing without any disciplinary concerns in order for participation and achievements to be verified.
The program does not directly facilitate or sponsor internships. However, many past participants have pursued internships or research opportunities with UN-accredited intergovernmental organizations, UN-accredited NGOs, and offices of Ambassadors and Secretaries-General. While there is no influence or guarantee over these positions, it is recognized that many in the UN system are risk-averse and appreciate applicants with a proven record of professionalism. Accordingly, upon request, the program will forward official professionalism history to relevant institutions. No subjective opinions or recommendations are provided, only verification of conduct during the program. This allows prospective hosts to confirm an individual as a recognized individual with a documented track record in the UN system, as well as in other private or governmental institutions.
Students have access to support from their instructors via messaging in our Learning Management System, TalentLMS, and office hours. They can ask questions, seek guidance on assignments, receive feedback on their work, and more.
Yes, students will participate in various interactive activities, including debates, group discussions, case studies, and a final project presentation. These activities are designed to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios and enhance practical skills.
Please see the Need-Based Assistance page to determine if a family qualifies for Need-Based Assistance and Educational Grants.
Yes. The program includes components that may qualify for community service credit, and formal service-hour documentation has been provided for various educational and civic awards in the past.
The program is designed for middle school and high school students, typically those in grades 6–12 across the world.
Given that the program has students across the world who attend, it is held virtually.
Yes. In numerous circumstances, members of the program community—including diplomats and Coalition Partners to the UN—may issue letters of recommendation for students who demonstrate strong performance, research contributions, or leadership. These letters are authored without input from the student to maintain authenticity. For security and integrity reasons, recommendation letters are sent directly to the requesting institution and are not released to the student. Please note that simply completing GYEL sessions does not automatically qualify a participant to receive a recommendation letter.
Great question! Given the complexity of the UN’s structure, it can be challenging to understand how each component operates. The United Nations is an immense global organization with over 130,000 personnel, more than 6,000 UN-registered NGOs, and hundreds of departments, making it the world’s most comprehensive international institution—which is precisely why it is so vital to humanity.
The Global Youth Excellence & Leadership Program (GYEL) is a program within the UN system. Established a decade ago, GYEL was formed through a coalition of intergovernmental organizations, diplomats, ambassadors, permanent observers to the UN, NGOs, and organizations holding special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Rather than functioning as an external program, GYEL operates within the UN system and under the auspices of its Coalition Partners to the UN and diplomats and ambassadors registered and credentialed by both the UN and their respective state departments. For a visual representation of our structure, please see our About page. Each Coalition Partnersto the UN listed on our About page has signed a formal Institutional Agreement between their UN-affiliated organization or agency (recognized under the United Nations framework) and GYEL. They are not here in a personal or unofficial capacity. They represent their organization and agency in an official role as a designated signatory within the UN system.
GYEL’s primary Coalition Partners to the UN hold official UN credentials and security clearances. These are processed and registered through the United Nations Office and the United States Department of State, or their respective state departments, in adherence to all diplomatic protocols. They include sitting ambassadors, diplomats, and UN ECOSOC-registered special consultants, many of whose core role is to engage in high-level negotiations on behalf of the Permanent Observer, advise Heads of State, senior officials, and counterpart ambassadors on complex diplomatic and strategic matters at venues such as the United Nations, the White House, legislative bodies, and other major diplomatic forums.
Most recently, GYEL served as Deputy Convenor and Principal Partner at a UN plenary session, including the Strategic Innovation for Impact – UN Forum 2025, where it elevated youth voices and fostered cross-sector collaborations in the spirit of multilateral cooperation.
We encourage you to verify all information, including the credentials of diplomats, ambassadors, and UN ECOSOC Coalition Partners to the UN associated with GYEL, by consulting the appropriate authorities at the United Nations Headquarters or through official State Department channels.
In a recent survey of students and parents who completed a full track of the Global Youth Excellence & Leadership Program (GYEL), we asked what they found most valuable about their experience. Here’s what they shared:
At GYEL, we believe in your potential to lead, grow, and make a difference.
Hear from past students who’ve walked this path — and see how GYEL helped shape their journey.