University of the Pacific is significantly expanding programming for its 2023 Summer High School Institute with more than 40 immersive programs and two sessions.

Registration opens Nov. 1 with some classes expected to sell out quickly. 

The two-week residential pre-college program is held on the Stockton Campus of California’s first and oldest university and will be offered June 5 to 17 and June 20 to July 1. Students live on campus, attend classes and participate in a full schedule of social and recreational activities.

“The summer institute was extremely popular in its inaugural year. Most students who attended said they wanted to return, so we want to build on that success,” said Balint Sztaray, program director for the summer institute and professor of chemistry.

“With so many options, high schoolers will find a program they are interested in, whether it is training with our Conservatory’s nationally recognized faculty, learning how to start and run a business, becoming the next social media influencer or developing new skills in our first-rate athletics facilities,” he said.

Programs are divided into five areas: business and society, engineering, natural sciences, visual and performing arts and athletics.

The university library and all nine of Pacific’s schools and colleges will offer classes, including Pacific’s nationally renowned Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and McGeorge School of Law.

In the Trial Advocacy camp offered through Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law, students will learn what it’s like to be a trial lawyer by taking on roles in a simulated case.

“They will develop a case theory, make an opening statement and closing argument, do a direct examination of witnesses, and learn how to introduce exhibits,“ said Annie Deets, assistant professor  and director of trial advocacy. The skills students learn go beyond a courtroom. 

“Gaining the confidence to speak in front of other people, analyze facts, problem solve and then present the solution are transferable on many levels,” Deets said.

Students from Pacific’s Mock Trial team, ranked No. 16 in the nation, will assist. 

In “Be an Influencer,” sponsored by Eberhardt School of Business, students will learn the strategies and tools needed to be successful content creators—especially beneficial for student-athletes interested in name, image and likeness deals and others who want to build their brand. 

A Drone Pilot course will provide hands-on training for students who want to learn how to build and fly drones. The program will be led by the School of Engineering and Computer Science and university library.

Athletics camps will include a variety of sports, such as soccer, tennis and water polo, focusing on skills and tactics.

“That includes mental skills and mental visualization, sports conditioning and athlete performance, nutrition, athletic training and sports medicine and keeping your body healthy,” explained Wes Yourth, deputy director of Athletics. “We want to use the same approach we take with our own student-athletes to help high school students learn and grown in their sport of choice.”

Many of the popular classes offered in 2022 will return, such as the Conservatory’s Music Industry program.

“It helped me express my passion towards music and I loved meeting new people,” said Sage Ross, a  2022 summer institute student. “It persuaded me to go to college and be more involved in school.”

Throughout the two-week sessions, students live in the residence halls and dine in the marketplace with locally sourced food by partner Bon Appetit. Pacific’s food and dining program was recently ranked one of the top ten in the world for sustainability for a second year.

University amenities, such as the Janet Leigh Theatre and Baun Fitness Center, which has a 36-foot-tall rock-climbing tower, are open to students. A selection of activities is planned for each afternoon, evening and on the weekend.

“This is an opportunity for students to get a taste of what college life is like,“ said Maria Blandizzi, vice president for Student Life. “Students can participate in video game tournaments, watch a movie under the stars, sing karaoke, compete in dodgeball competitions and much more. We will showcase all of the fun and diverse experiences Pacific has to offer.”

Students and parents can learn more during weekly question and answer sessions with the program director every Wednesday at 6 p.m. beginning Nov. 2.