About the Sorensen Institute

Overview

Thomas Jefferson wrote, Come forward then and give us the aid of your talents and the weight of your character towards the new establishment of democracy. The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia is proud to work in this Jeffersonian tradition. Founded in 1993 to identify, educate, and train emerging leaders from throughout the Commonwealth, the Sorensen Institute is a non-partisan organization dedicated to improving political leadership in Virginia thereby strengthening the quality of governance at all levels of government.

Through a variety of programs—for high school and college leaders to first-time political candidates and influential business and community leaders—the Sorensen Institute has established itself as a powerful and effective force for restoring public confidence in our political system. Former Governor Mark Warner has commented that, "This organization is incredibly important. Sorensen has become the model of successful bipartisan leadership training for the nation."

At the heart of every Sorensen program are three central themes: ethics in public service, the power of bipartisanship, and a concentrated study of public policy issues.

The Sorensen Institute has more than 1,000 graduates of its various programs. Sixteen alumni now serve in the Virginia General Assembly—two in the Senate and fourteen in the House. Dozens more have been appointed to boards and commissions, while nearly 100 have been elected to local office. In the November 2007 elections alone, a record 48 Sorensen graduates won elections: 18 Republicans, 18 Democrats, and 12 Independents. Other alumni are serving in critical positions of leadership in nonprofits, local governments or in the private sector. Click here to learn more about graduates of the Sorensen Institute.

In 2007 the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recognized the Sorensen Institute's College and High School Leaders Programs as among the very best in the nation and something of a national model when it comes to giving young people the skills and motivation to become politically engaged in their communities.

WHTJ-PBS is currently in post-production on a documentary about the Sorensen Institute's flagship Political Leaders Program. A film crew followed the Class of 2007 throughout the year and chronicled the experience of its members. The documentary will premiere to a national release in the spring of 2008. Click here to watch a preview.

History

The Sorensen Institute was founded by Charlottesville businessmen Leigh Middleditch and Michael Bills as the Virginia Institute of Political Leadership in 1993. The first class of Political Leaders graduated in the spring of the following year and included future State Senator Emily Couric. The organization took the name of generous benefactor Thomas C. Sorensen in 1997 shortly before he passed away. Click here to learn more about Tom Sorensen and the history of the Sorensen Institute.

Principles

The Sorensen Institute was founded on a core set of principles which inform its mission at all times. The Sorensen Institute:

• is nondiscriminatory and nonpartisan.
• does not participate in any manner in political campaigns and does not take positions for or against issues, causes or proposals.
• does not endorse, support or oppose any candidate for office.
• does not mediate disputes between or among candidates or political parties.
• does not review, express an opinion, or take a position with respect to the propriety of campaign literature or campaign material; and the use of the Sorensen name in campaign literature or material does not imply that the candidate, the literature, or the material has been endorsed, approved, or disapproved by the Institute.

Funding

Though it is housed at the University of Virginia as part of the Cooper Center for Public Service, the Sorensen Institute relies on donations and grants from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund its programs. Please consider investing in the mission of the Sorensen Institute. Click here to learn more.

Brochures

You can learn more about the Sorensen Institute by downloading one of our brochures. Click either a general publication that covers the full scope of the Sorensen Institute (left) or one that focuses specifically on our youth leadership programs (right). Each brochure will open as a PDF file.

­Contact Us

Phone   (434) 982-4943
Fax       (434) 982-5536
Email    sorensen@virginia.edu

Mailing Address

The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership
P.O. Box 400206
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4206

Directions and Map

Our offices are located at 2400 Old Ivy Road in Charlottesville.

Privacy Statement

Click here to read our complete privacy statement.