Trisha A. Swed ‘23 (GSLC, PhD) has published Ecosystems of Youth Leadership Development: Pathways to New Programs, a thought-provoking exploration of youth leadership development. The book amplifies the voices of young people who have felt excluded from traditional programs, challenging adult-centric, success-driven narratives in the field.
Drawing on her expertise as a leadership development practitioner and educator, Swed provides educators, practitioners, and communities with research-based insights, practical tools, and real-world examples to evaluate existing programs and design more inclusive pathways. Her work highlights the importance of empowering young leaders to drive community change through dialogue, conflict resolution, philanthropy, and informal education—fostering deeper, more sustainable youth-community connections.
Learn more about her book here.
Read more about Swed and read her dissertation “Towards an Ecosystem of Youth Leadership Development” here.
