College Leaders

College Leaders Program Class of 2009
Day 1—Saturday, May 30
Reported by Jarrett Brotzman, Washington & Lee University

At midday on this fine Saturday afternoon, 27 eager college students and recent graduates began one of the most prestigious and well- reviewed political leadership programs in the country: the College Leaders Program at the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership. The CLP Class of 2009 is diverse, representing regions and universities all across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
        The day was kicked off with introductions by staff and students. Bob Gibson, Executive Director of the Sorensen Institute began with an overview of Sorensen and why the Sorensen Institute's approach to politics as a civil and bipartisan discourse is so important in a country torn by sharp partisan tactics. He encouraged us to approach this week with an open mind, and to listen to those who we disagree with, instead of just shutting them out because we might not initially agree on an issue. "Look to the issue you can find common ground on," says Gibson, "not the twenty other issues you don't."
        The enthusiastic program staff followed by leading a discussion on political engagement and community service. We discussed the motivations and resources necessary for both, reaching some consensus on the many similarities between the two. This was followed by a group-based discussion on political parties and the labels that are frequently attached to them. By acknowledging that no individual who might label themselves as a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or Independent can be described by all the stereotypes that popular culture attributes to them, we can better understand the limitations of labeling individuals by party before truly understanding them.
        After dinner, we were privileged to hear from Kelli Palmer, Assistant to the President of the University of Virginia. She began by telling us about her experience last summer when she was literally called to public service. Palmer recalled receiving a phone call asking her to lead a voter registration drive in 17 counties across Virginia when voter registration was very low. She quickly accepted, and after taking a three-month leave of absence from UVa, led a team of 17 local organizers to register over 3,500 new voters. Palmer reminded us that voting registration was a strictly non-partisan practice and that being registered to vote was "as American as apple pie."
        Following an entertaining and informative speaker, we broke up into three groups to go on a photo scavenger hunt of UVa. Challenging us to find distant and sometimes very obscure locations, the hunt was a great introduction to the beauty of the University. We returned tired from a long day, but eager for the excitement that lays in store for us in the coming four weeks.

— Jarrett Brotzman, Washington & Lee University

Today marks the first day of the Sorensen Institute's College Leaders Program Class of 2009! Nearly 30 of the Commonwealth's best and brightest college students have gathered on grounds at the University of Virginia for political "boot camp." They will spend the next few weeks studying leadership and public policy, discussing issues with Virginia's elected, business, and non-profit leaders, and traveling the state to see the Commonwealth for themselves. We are honored to have you all with us, congratulations again on your acceptance to Sorensen, get ready for an unforgettable summer, and welcome to Charlottesville!

The 2009 Program Managers for Sorensen's College Leaders Programs arrived in Charlottesville this week and are ready for action. This summer's Managers—who will live with the students and help to oversee every facet of the program— are all graduates of Sorensen youth programs.

From left to right in the photo, the CLP 09 Program Managers are: Joe Stanley (HSLP 05), Ashely Bacon-Ward (CLP 05), and Paul Brockwell (CLP 04). Click here to learn more about this year's managers.

The CLP 2009 begins tomorow, Saturday May 30, and will run until Saturday June 27.

The Sorensen Institute would like to welcome Dr. Stephen Bragaw of Sweet Brian College to our faculty. Professor Bragaw will join Sorensen this summer in Charlottesville to teach in our College and High School Leaders Programs.

Steve Bragaw is Professor of American Politics and Chair of the Department of Government and International Affairs at Sweet Briar.  The Director of Sweet Briar's Law & Society program, he teaches courses on public policy, American political and legal development, social movements and the law, as well as American politics and popular culture.

Bragaw's primary research and writing focuses on the role of the Supreme Court in negotiating the boundaries of power and authority, with secondary interests in media and politics, and the politics of civic education.  He is a frequent commentator on national and state politics for television as well as public and talk radio. Prof. Bragaw earned his bachelor's degree in politics, philosophy, and economics from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, a Master of Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and his Masters and PhD in government from the University of Virginia.  He lives in Crozet, VA, with his wife and four children, and is an avid vegetable gardener. Welcome Steve!

The Sorensen Institute is proud to announce the 2009 College Leaders Program and High School Leaders Program participants.  Following a competitive application and interview process, these 28 College and 32 High School students were selected for the summer programs.

Bob Gibson, Executive Director, commented that "This will be an incredibly exciting summer for the Sorensen Institute.  We were delighted to have such a strong and diverse applicant pool, and glad to see applicants from schools and parts of Virginia new to both programs."

The  College Leaders Program takes place May 30 - June 27.  The High School Leaders Program takes place July 11-25.  During the programs students will spend time learning more about government and politics in the Commonwealth, meeting with public leaders from across Virginia and traveling to different parts of the state to learn more about the diversity of Virginia's regions.  In addition, both groups will identify some of the pressing issues facing Virginia today and craft their own legislative solutions to these problems.

The members of the 2009 College and High School Leaders Program are:

College Leaders Program

Michele Alexander, Springfield, University of Mary Washington
Trent Armitage, Farmville, Longwood University
Sarah Bowers, Portsmouth, University of Richmond
Jarrett Brotzman, IL  Washington and Lee University
Lindsay Chapman, Virginia Beach, Virginia Tech University
Derek Chaudhuri, Harrisonburg, Blue Ridge Community College
Patrick Crute, Chesapeake, Longwood University
Brian Diaz, Windermere, FL Liberty University
Tiffany Gibson, Midlothian, Old Dominion University
Lauren Gilbert, Alexandria, James Madison University
Chris Harts, Virginia Beach, Hampton University
Mallory Johnson, Burke, The College of William and Mary
TiffanyAnn Johnson, Hamden, CT, Virginia Commonwealth University
Jenna Klym, Mechanicsville, Virginia Tech University
Jacob Lambert, Christiansburg, Virginia Tech University
Andrew Lundsten, McLean, Christopher Newport University
Brian Marroquin, Arlington, Virginia Commonwealth University
Shamama Moosvi, South Riding, George Mason University
Joshua Owens, Midlothian, George Mason University
Lorenzo Paglinawan, Fairfax Station, University of Virginia
Abigail Quinn, Waterford, Hollins University
Waylin Ross, Norfolk, Old Dominion University
Jack Ruddy, Clifton, Hampden-Sydney College
Benjamin Soltoff, Sterling, James Madison University
Jesica Turner, Virginia Beach, Christopher Newport University
Scott Van Der Hyde, Chatham, Radford University
Karen White, Arlington, Northern Virginia Community College

 
High School Leaders Program

Emma Arata, Charlottesville
Benjamin Bakkum, Yorktown
Ann Baumer, Virginia Beach
Corrigan Blanchfield, Williamsburg
Zachary Brenton, Roanoke
Michael Casco-White, Alexandria
Benjamin Corbett, Suffolk
Natalie Cruise, Stafford
Thomas Daley, Richmond
Maria Decker, Falls Church
John DeVilbiss, Radford
Emma DiNapoli, Harrisonburg
Hollis Erickson, Waterford
Amy Friedman, Roanoke
Callaghan Guy, Richmond
Megi Hakobjanyan, Mechanicsville
Catherine Haley, Danville
Kevin Herbst, Goode
Whitney Hosey, Spotsylvania
Claire Hunn, Arlington
Aya Ibrahim, Alexandria
Trevor Langan, Roanoke
Jack Marshall, Richmond
Evan Maxwell, Midlothian
Caitlin Mealy, Richmond
Ashley Murphy, Roanoke
Muaz Rahman, Springfield
Alexandra Soroka, Virginia Beach
Alexandria Sutherland, Grundy
Ben Swanson, Vienna
Brea Thomas, Charlottesville
John Woolard, Virginia Beach

WVPT Public Television recently broadcast this program about the Sorensen Institute's Youth Programs. Guests included Sorensen's Marc Johnson (CLP 2003) and alumni Maribel Castaneda (HSLP 2008) and Martin Mash (CLP 2005). Enjoy! 

Emma Yackso (HSLP 08) and Sorensen's Director of Programs Marc Johnson (CLP 03) were guests yesterday afternoon on "Charlottesville—Right Now!" to discuss the College and High School Leaders Programs. Applications are now being accepted to both programs until March 2.

Public Radio station WVTF recently ran this story about the Sorensen Institute's College and High School Leaders Programs, which are currently accepting applications to the 2009 summer classes.

The Charlottesville Newsplex is today at work on a story about the Sorensen Institute's College and High School Leaders Programs. Applications are now being accepted through March 2 for the 2009 summer program season. Click here to learn more.

Sorensen's Assistant Director and Director of Programs Marc Johnson (CLP 2003) was interviewed for the story (at left in photo) along with Samantha Law (HSLP 05) and Colin Hood (HSLP 07). Both Law and Hood are now second-year students at the University of Virginia.

The story will run later today throughout Central Virginia on the CBS, ABC, and Fox local news programs. We will post a link to the story when it is available online.

The Sorensen Institute is proud to announce its 2009 Youth Program Managers: Paul Brockwell, Ashley Bacon-Ward, and Joe Stanley—all of whom are graduates of the Sorensen Institute.
 
Our Youth Program Managers play a vital role in the success of both the College and High School Leaders Programs.  The Managers live in the residence halls with the students, provide on-site mentoring and supervision, and offer valuable guidance to the class participants.

Marc Johnson, Sorensen's Director of Programs, commented "We are delighted to have these three Sorensen alumni coming back to join us this summer.  Their collective experience working with Virginia government and politics, and their personal leadership success, make them all excellent choices to work with our students."
 
Sorensen selects its Program Managers from among the alumni of the College and High School Leaders Programs.  We are honored that Paul, Ashley, and Joe will be joining us for the 2009 youth program season.

We are currently accepting applications for the 2009 CLP and HSLP.  For more information on applying, please click here.

	Ashley Bacon-Ward of Amelia, Virginia will graduate this spring with a Masters Degree in International Affairs from Texas A&M University. In 2007 she graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree Political Science and a minor in Latin American Studies.  While at VCU Ashley served as the student representative to the Board of Visitors and a Senior Resident Assistant.  Ashley has interned for Delegate R. Steven Landes and served as a Governor’s Fellow in the Secretariat of Commerce and Trade and Technology.  Ashley is a graduate of the College Leaders Program Class of 2005.
	Paul Brockwell of Richmond, Virginia is currently the Conflict of Interest Director in the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office and was previously a Governor's Fellow and then Special Assistant in the Secretariat of Agriculture and Forestry.  He is a 2007 graduate of William and Mary where he majored in Religious Studies and minored in Middle Eastern Studies.  While at William and Mary Paul served as a Head Resident, on the Undergraduate Honor Council, with Global Village Project, and in Student Assembly.  He is a graduate of the College Leaders Program Class of 2004.
	Joe Stanley of Kents Store, Virginia will graduate this spring from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Political Science.  Joe currently works as a Policy Fellow for the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.  He has also served as the interim Legislative Assistant Delegate Franklin Hall.  At VCU Joe has served as the Director of External Affairs for the Student Government and as a Charter Member of Students Helping Honduras, as well as volunteering as a tutor.  Joe is a graduate of the High School Leaders Program Class of 2005.