College Leaders
Apr 16 2013 - 9:26am
Members of the Sorensen Institute staff and regional boards have completed an exhaustive review of a record number of highly qualified applicants for admission to the 2013 College Leaders and High School Leaders Programs. We're proud to announce the College Leaders Program Class of 2013 and the High School Leaders Program Class of 2013! These students have proven themselves to be active and engaged citizens in their communities. We can't wait for them to join us in Charlottesville this summer!
College Leaders Program Class of 2013
Maggie Anderson, Roanoke College; Madison
Aaron Barden, Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond
Elias Bekri, Radford University; Moneta
Christopher Boden, Hampden-Sydney College; Washington, D.C.
Rachel Brooks, The College of William and Mary; Virginia Beach
Jory Bunn, Old Dominion University; Virginia Beach
Joniel Cha, The University of Virginia; Leesburg
Andres Chovil, George Mason University; Annandale
Kate Cude, Piedmont Virginia Community College; Charlottesville
Emily Dean-McKinney, The College of Wooster; Charlottesville
Chase Grogg, Hampden-Sydney College; Williamsburg
Brendan Hood, Virginia Commonwealth University; Colonial Heights
Toni Jones, George Mason University; Richmond
Zhina Kamali, Virginia Commonwealth University; Vienna
Daniel Ku, Virginia Commonwealth University; Fairfax
Max Maurer, Hampden-Sydney College; Oak Hill
Claire Nadolski, Lynchburg College; Virginia Beach
Colman Packard, Hampden-Sydney University; Charlottesville
Richard Pantele, Hampden-Sydney College; Richmond
David Snyder, Christopher Newport University; Fairfax
Stephanie Tipple, The University of Mary Washington; Warwick, RI
Blake Wheelock, The University of Virginia; Lynchburg
Andrew Whitley, Virginia Tech; Chilhowie
Jermayne Wright, Virginia State University; Norfolk
High School Leaders Program Class of 2013
Tyler Ambrose, William Fleming and Roanoke Valley Governor’s School, Roanoke
Sarah Ashman, Douglas S. Freeman High School, Richmond
Eric Asplund, Douglas S. Freeman High School, Henrico
Hayley Batten, Jamestown High School, Williamsburg
Jack Boettger, George C. Marshall High School, Vienna
Thomas Cannella, Poquoson High School, Poquoson
David Cohn, Charlottesville High School, Charlottesville
Mason Davenport, Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, Henrico
Alana Davitt, Norfolk Academy, Virginia Beach
Tim Dodson, Western Albemarle High School, Charlottesville
Sofa Getachew, Washington-Lee High School, Arlington
Oscar Guardado, James River High School, Richmond
Nicole Jackson, Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, Richmond
Isa Kivlighan, Stuart Hall School, Staunton
Emma Leeds Armstrong, Monticello High School, Charlottesville
Mattie Leibowitz, West Potomac High School, Alexandria
Rachel Lim, Deep Run High School, Henrico
Eddie Lin, Tallwood High School, Virginia Beach
Sarah Mosley, Yorktown High School, Arlington
Brian Murray, Cape Henry Collegiate School, Virginia Beach
Owen O’Hare, Carlisle School, Chatham
Meriwether Roberts, Collegiate School, Richmond
Amar Singh, South Lakes High School, Herndon
Rhea Somaiya, The Madeira School, Fairfax
Shaarada Srivatsa, Charlottesville High School, Charlottesville
Yash Tekriwal, Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, Glen Allen
Elisha Untiedt, Chilhowie High School, Marion
Peyton Wall, Fuqua School, Farmville
Sophie Webb, Western Albemarle High School, Charlottesville
Benjamin Zook, Loudoun Valley High School, Lovettsville
Dec 17 2012 - 11:45am
The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership is now accepting applications for the High School and College Leaders Programs. The High School and College Leaders Programs offer advanced, concentrated study in state and local politics, gaining hands-on training in politics, acquiring the information necessary to discuss Virginia politics and the skills to make a difference.
Students in the Sorensen Institute programs engage in substantive debate about challenges facing the Commonwealth. Students have the opportunity to learn key advocacy skills such as lobbying, fundraising, opinion writing, media and more. Students interact with Virginia's current public, private, and nonprofit leaders. Past speakers have included U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner, Governor Bob McDonnell, Governor Tim Kaine, members of the General Assembly, Congressional leaders and other policy makers from around Virginia. The College Leaders Program will take place from June 1 - June 15, 2013 and will be made up of approximately 25 student leaders from across Virginia. The cost of the College Leaders Program is $1,800, which includes all room and board. Scholarships and financial aid are available. Read more at www.sorenseninstitute.org/programs/clp
The High School Leaders Program takes place from June 22 - to July 6, 2013 and will be made up of approximately 30 student leaders from across the state that are at least rising juniors or 16 years old by the program start date. Students will receive three undergraduate credits from the University of Virginia for their participation. The cost of the High School Leaders Program is $1,800 which includes all room, board and three U.Va. college credits. Scholarships and financial aid are available. Read more at www.sorenseninstitute.org/programs/hslpThe College and High School Leaders Programs applicant pool is evaluated to create a highly qualified and diverse class. Participants will be chosen from among all academic majors and backgrounds. Scholarships for program tuition are available and potential applicants are strongly urged to apply regardless of financial concerns.
To learn more about the programs or to apply please visit our applications page at http://www.sorenseninstitute.org/programs/applications
The application deadline will be Monday, March 4 at 5 p.m. but applying early is encouraged!
Jun 29 2012 - 5:05pm
Congratulations to the members of the College Leaders Program Class of 2012, who graduated this past weekend! You can meet Sorensen's newest alumni on the class's alumni page.
Jun 21 2012 - 10:51pm
College Leaders Program Class of 2012
Day 25: Thursday, June 21, 2012
Reported by: Sean Simons, University of Mary Washington
Today was our last official day of class here at the Sorensen Institute’s College Leaders Program. The morning began with Professor Bragaw leading the class in a recap of yesterday’s budget game. After discussing the exercise and the need for more compromise in our politics, the class then talked about some of the typical challenges that arise when making public policy.
After a delicious lunch, the class proceeded to vote on who will speak at graduation and who will serve as our class representative. After a close election, the class chose Brendan Oudekerk to speak at graduation and Claire McNabb to serve as our class representative.
Next, the class heard from Delegate Rob Bell from Albemarle County. Delegate Bell serves on the Health Welfare and Institutions Committee and is the Chairman of the Institutions Subcommittee. Needless to say, many students asked Delegate Bell a lot of questions about the Supreme Court's health care decision and his upcoming race for Attorney General.
Afterward, David Ledbetter, a prosecutor in Charlottesville, came and spoke to us. Following Mr. Ledbetter, the class heard from the Mayor of Charlottesville Satyendra Huja. In addition to being the local mayor, Mr. Huja also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture and teaches classes in Urban Planning. Many of the students were very curious to hear about the challenges of being a city mayor and Mr. Huja’s thoughts on President Sullivan’s firing.
Our last speaker was former delegate Chris Saxman. After retiring from the House of Delegates, Mr. Saxman now works as a business consultant and students asked him a lot of questions about why he decided to leave politics for the private sector. Mr. Saxman also gave each of the three policy groups constructive feedback about our presentations tomorrow.
After a long day of class and lectures, students returned to the dorm for a long night of mock presentations and last minute proposal edits. Tomorrow, students will go in front of a panel of journalists and legislators who will pick apart our ideas and discuss the potential challenges that come with implementing legislation.
Jun 19 2012 - 10:17pm
College Leaders Program Class of 2012
Day 23: Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Reported by: Meghan Hobbs, University of Mary Washington
For our final trip in the program, we went to Richmond to talk with various political leaders in the Capitol. We began our morning with a personal tour of the House and Senate Chambers. This experience was especially interesting for me because I had never been to the Capitol building. We were able to sit in the chairs on both the House and Senate floors as we listened to the historian’s account of what happens during session.
After our quick tour, we went to hear from our great lineup of speakers. First, Tucker Martin, Director of Communications for Gov. McDonnell, described his job of focusing the Governor’s message and translating it to the various media outlets in the state. Our next speaker was Secretary of the Commonwealth Janet Kelly. She went through her responsibilities in this position, and encouraged us to be involved in any kind of campaign. She would not be where she is today without the knowledge she learned on the campaign trail. Next was Generra Peck, the Special Assistant for Policy, and her colleague Andrew. We asked these policy experts about our culminating projects. They offered each group some great advice about how the Senate and House will most likely react to our propositions.
Next we had a working lunch with Sorensen Chairman John Hager who has many years of experience in politics ranging from Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia to Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. His advice on political activism, as well as his devotion to respect and bipartisan cooperation, was well received.
Jun 18 2012 - 10:54pm
College Leaders Program Class of 2012
Day 22: Monday, June 18, 2012
Reported by: Colin Christensen, Emory and Henry College
Today the 2012 Sorensen CLP class enjoyed an exciting day that none of us will likely ever forget thanks to the Washington Post, the New York Times, the NBC Nightly News, and of course, The Good Ole Song.
To put it candidly, the we will not remember what we discussed in class today. We will not remember the readings. However, we will remember today’s lesson – a lesson taught not in the classroom, but on the steps of the Rotunda.
Today we stood with 2,000 others on the historic U.Va. Lawn to protest the Board of Visitor’s decision to force the early resignation of U.Va. president Teresa Sullivan. I don’t think any of us truly planned to be active participants in the rally. However, we arrived to the rally about 45 minutes early and decided to sit on the steps of the Rotunda in order to pass time. As the Lawn began to swell with protestors, the result was the 2012 CLP standing at the forefront of all of the action.
Although the members of the 2012 CLP represent schools from all across the Commonwealth, we quickly became de facto U.Va. students. We led the crowd in chanting “U-V-A, U-V-A!” as President Sullivan made her way into the Board of Visitors meeting. Upon President Sullivan’s departure, we joined arms with other students to serenade her with U.Va.’s Good Ole Song.
Our actions on the Lawn today will never be forgotten for several reasons. First, because we chose to congregate on the steps of the Rotunda, our picture was published on the front page of the Washington Post and the New York Times, and we were featured on NBC Nightly News. The second reason can be defined by transparency. The actions taken by the Board of Visitors were the antithesis of transparency. Although we are not U.Va. students, through Sorensen we have learned the value of effective communication and bipartisanship – qualities that are best effectuated through transparency from both sides of the aisle. Certainly, today’s events demonstrated the value of transparency within decision-making bodies. This will be a lesson will we surely never forget.
Jun 17 2012 - 10:36pm
College Leaders Program Class of 2012
Day 23: Sunday, June 17, 2012
Reported by: Brendan Oudekerk, University of Mary Washington
Today the members of the College Leaders Program were surprised with the day off for Father’s Day. Several members went to their respective hometowns to see their family and friends for the holiday. The rest of the students opted to remain in Charlottesville. Many people had their families visit, while others chose to spend the day relaxing and enjoying the town. After a long week of completing our first draft for our culminating projects, everyone was happy to have a well-deserved break.
After waking up we had some sandwiches for lunch, but several people had already left to have lunch with their families. My friend from Mary Washington came for a visit to see what Charlottesville had to offer. We walked around the Downtown Mall and did some shopping, but mostly enjoyed the great day. Some others went swimming, went to the gym or just relaxed in their dorm room watching movies or chatting with friends. This evening we all enjoyed the group’s favorite meal, Chipotle, for dinner. A few watched the basketball game in the dorm, and overall it was a quiet evening.
There are mixed feelings about the final week of the program; everyone is getting more and more excited about their culminating projects. Individual groups are becoming more eager to present their ideas at the end of the week from the research we’ve completed so far. A relaxation day, however, is definitely what we all needed!
Jun 16 2012 - 9:53pm
College Leaders Program Class of 2012
Day 22: Saturday, June 16, 2012
Reported by: Todd Galyean, The University of Virginia's College at Wise
Saturday’s schedule provided the luxury of sleeping in, a necessity after finishing the third week of our exhausting, yet highly rewarding, program. When everyone did rise, we gathered for a lunch of bagels and casual discussion of the program so far and everyone's nightly escapades. Around 3 p.m., we loaded up and made our way to the Baldwin Center at picturesque Bundoran Farm for our afternoon meet and greet with Sorensen's Political Leaders Program members. 
After wading through some initial awkwardness, conversation flourished between our two groups, only breaking to hear from Fred Scott about the Sorensen Institute’s birth and vision for today and the future. These words were well-received and seemed to produce a certain pride in all those in attendance for being a part of Sorensen and is mission. Following the speech, we went back to mingling, which meant discussing the differences in our programs, and overwhelmingly (for the College Leaders program members) asking question after question of our older colleagues. These questions produced priceless advice for our career paths and goals. After Q&A that could have lasted for days, our meet and greet did come to an end as everyone left for their respective homes. However, the PLP members did not hesitate to provide their contact information, as well as a helping hand beyond Bundoran Farm.
Jun 15 2012 - 9:51pm
College Leaders Program Class of 2012
Day 21: Friday, June 15, 2012
Reported by: Michael F. Nolan, Virginia Commonwealth University
Today the students of the Sorensen College Leaders program experienced yet another great speaker, Nancy L. Bocskor. Ms. Bocskor can be described as a private business and political consultant who cares about where women are in politics. She has been involved in politics for thirty years and in that time she has managed to accrue quite the resume. Ms. Bocskor has engaged in staffing work on Capitol Hill under former Speaker Newt Gingrich from the time he was a freshman congressman. She has also worked in multiple congressional races, as a financier and as campaign support for those democratically elected in other countries. Students were elated to learn that Ms. Bocskor spends most of her time taking care of women in politics and trying to diversify the field more and more every day, worldwide.
After the speaker students of the CLP would have lunch and commit to working on the first draft of their group policy projects. Time that had been set aside by the staff to allow the students to polish their projects so that they could turn them in on time, well thought out and well organized.
Every student of the Sorensen College Leaders Program looks forward to see what comments are left on their term projects so that they may improve them and defend them in the future!
Jun 14 2012 - 9:44pm
College Leaders Program Class of 2012
Day 20: Thursday, June 14, 2012
Reported by: Amanda Lemons, Virginia Tech
After the previous day of two class sessions, everyone was excited to have a day filled with speakers. We began the day with Del. David Toscano who spoke to us about being minority leader and working across the aisle. He spoke briefly about what has been a recurring theme these past three weeks and what would be for the rest of the day: relationships. He emphasized how necessary relationships are to working across the aisle, working within one's own party and getting legislation passed.
After Del. Toscano spoke to us we then met with Bob Gibson in a media training session in which we read an opinion page Bob had recently written on the controversial recent resignation of U.Va.'s president, Teresa Sullivan. We spoke with Bob about the controversy of the Board of Visitors' decision to force her early resignation and how this may hurt the credibility of the board, as well as U.Va.'s desire to act as a private university on many issues. After critiquing Bob's article, we then moved on to speak about the media briefings our policy groups had been working on and received some very helpful feedback from Bob.
After lunch, our afternoon speakers included Felix Sarfo-Kantanka and his coworker Jeff Britt from McGuireWoods Consulting as well as Ben Marchi, a GOP consultant, and Dave Mills, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Virginia. Felix Sarfo-Kantanka and Jeff Britt spoke about what they did as consultants at McGuireWoods, emphasizing that their job is to impact legislation before it becomes an issue for the client they are representing. They spoke about what it means to be both partisan and bipartisan in their careers and again repeated the theme of the importance of relationships in politics and public service. We wrapped up the day with Ben Marchi and Dave Mills who both, though speaking separately, both again emphasized how relationships had been important in their careers and involvement in politics. Though they were from different sides of the aisle, it was obvious that they both believed Sorensen's importance to young people interested in politics and public service and its commitment to bipartisanship.
