What if one week could permanently sharpen how you think, decide, and act?
Each summer, Reliance College invites motivated young people into a rare educational experience—one that strengthens intellectual independence, deepens self-understanding, and builds the habits of lifelong clarity. From July 25 to August 1, 2026, students ages 16–24 will gather in Chicago for the Great Connections Summer Seminar, an immersive residential program designed to help participants become what we call “Entrepreneurs of Their Own Lives.”
This is not a lecture camp or a passive academic retreat. It is a living laboratory for thinking, dialogue, responsibility, and growth. Participants engage deeply with ideas, learn to reason clearly, collaborate thoughtfully, and discover how intellectual discipline translates into real-world confidence and direction.
What Is a Great Connections Seminar?
The seminar is called “The Great Connections” because it focuses on building meaningful connections between great ideas, individuals, and practical action. Students explore how ideas across philosophy, psychology, economics, literature, and science intersect—and how those ideas shape personal values, decision-making, and leadership. Through collaborative Socratic discussion in small groups, participants learn how to ask better questions, analyze arguments, challenge assumptions respectfully, and articulate their thinking with clarity and confidence. Rather than memorizing information, students learn how to think.
The 2026 Great Connections Seminar Theme: Reason and Love
The 2026 theme, Reason and Love, invites students to examine some of the deepest forces shaping human flourishing. Participants will study thinkers such as Aristotle, Kant, Ayn Rand, Ortega y Gasset, Alexis de Tocqueville, Ludwig von Mises, Hans Jonas, and others, exploring questions about ethics, choice, creativity, responsibility, and the role of reason in guiding a meaningful life. Readings are provided in advance with structured preparation, making discussions both accessible and intellectually rigorous.
Learning That Extends Beyond Reading and Discussion
Learning at the Great Connections Seminar extends well beyond reading and discussion. Students engage in writing workshops, guided introspection, collaborative exercises, and cultural exploration throughout Chicago. Architecture walks, museum visits, improv comedy sessions, film analysis, and small-group consultations deepen understanding while strengthening creativity, teamwork, and self-awareness. The residential environment fosters lasting friendships and a shared culture of curiosity and personal growth.
Who Attends—and Why
The Great Connections Seminar welcomes students ages 16–24, including high school students exploring college and career direction, university students seeking deeper intellectual grounding, and young adults who want greater clarity about their values and future paths. Many participants arrive searching for stronger confidence, sharper thinking, and meaningful purpose—and leave with concrete tools they continue using long after the week ends. Students who consistently apply the seminar’s method have demonstrated measurable gains in cognitive skills, often ranging from 20% to as high as 85%.
Location, Tuition, and Scholarships
The program takes place at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where students stay in on-campus dorms for the full residential experience. Days are full but balanced, blending structured seminars, collaborative activities, independent reflection, and social connection. Chicago itself becomes part of the classroom, offering rich cultural, architectural, artistic, and intellectual resources in one of America’s most dynamic cities.
Tuition includes all seminar programming, while room and board covers eight nights plus opening and closing dinners. Thanks to generous sponsors, early applicants can register by March 1, 2026 for $500. After that date, tuition and room and board are $900. A limited number of scholarships are available covering tuition and partial housing. Students interested in scholarship support may indicate this on their application or contact Marsha@reliancecollege.org for more information.
The seminar is led by Marsha Familaro Enright, founder of The Great Connections Seminars and President of Reliance College. With decades of experience in education, psychology, and philosophy, Marsha has dedicated her career to building rigorous learning environments that cultivate independence, responsibility, and rational judgment. She personally guides discussions and mentorship throughout the week, ensuring each participant experiences both intellectual challenge and meaningful personal growth.
If you’re ready to strengthen your thinking, clarify your direction, and experience a week that continues shaping your life long after it ends, the Great Connections Summer Seminar offers a rare opportunity. A weekend of power can become a lifetime of clarity.
