(Baton Rouge)— Urban Restoration Enhancement Corporation is accepting applications for its two premier UREC Academy summer institutes. Both the Technology + ACT Prep Institute and the Entrepreneurship + ACT Prep Institute will be offered to Baton Rouge area high school students this summer free of charge.
Offered through partnerships with Southern University and Capital Area United Way, the institutes will equip high school students with hands-on career training and structured ACT preparation that promotes real-world skills for future success.
UREC President & CEO Carl Dillon said, “UREC recognizes the value of partnering with families to help youth prepare for the future as early as possible. Historically, the youth who complete our programs enroll in college or vocational training and graduate high school with an average ACT score of 23. We look forward to achieving similar results with the youth we serve this summer through the UREC Academy entrepreneurship and technology institutes.”
Technology + ACT Prep Institute
The UREC Academy Technology + ACT Prep Institute will take place June 1 – July 15, 2026, operating Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., with select weekend sessions as needed. Sessions will take place at Southern University College of Business, and all participants are required to register for the ACT exam scheduled for July 11. During the program, youth will learn AI and design thinking, while earning micro-credentials. For more information or to apply, visit www.urecbr.com/tech2026.
Entrepreneurship + ACT Prep Institute
The UREC Academy Entrepreneurship + ACT Prep Institute will take place June 1 – July 15, 2026, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., with some weekend sessions as needed. Sessions will take place at Southern University College of Business, and all participants are required to register for the ACT exam scheduled for July 11. During the program, youth will learn the fundamentals of business planning, finances, and marketing. The institute will conclude with a business pitch competition, which will be evaluated by esteemed community business leaders. For more information or to apply, visit www.urecbr.com/entrepreneurship2026.
For additional information, contact info@urecbr.com or call 225-356-8871.
ABOUT UREC:
Urban Restoration Enhancement Corporation is a nonprofit community development organization with a mission of transforming communities by investing in people and restoring neighborhoods. To prepare youth for college and careers, the UREC Academy initiative hosts after-school and summer institutes for high school students—providing them with pathways to Industry-Based Credentials, college and career readiness opportunities, ACT preparation, and real-world or simulated professional experiences. UREC Academy Trailblazer initiatives include the: Pre-Law, ACT Prep, Certified Nursing Assistant, Entrepreneurship, and Technology institutes.
