College Leaders Program

Overview

The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership offers an advanced program on public service and leadership for college students. The program is based on a firm belief that young people not only can make a positive difference in their communities, they should be strongly encouraged to do so. Our College Leaders Program (CLP) gives students the practical skills and political knowledge to become effective advocates in government and business. The four-week CLP is held each summer on grounds at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. The program features a Virginia-focused, multidisciplinary curriculum with three main goals:

• To prepare future leaders for ethical and responsible citizenship and public service in the Commonwealth.
• To connect Virginia's youth leaders from different backgrounds and philosophies with each other and with current leaders in the government, business, and non-profit sectors.
• To energize our democratic system of government by promoting civic engagement among youth leaders.

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. Click here to meet the alumni of our College Leaders Program. And to learn about the history of this program and of the Sorensen Institute, click here.

The dates for the College Leaders Program Class of 2008 are
Saturday, May 31—Saturday, June 28.

Curriculum

The CLP curriculum is divided into three primary learning modules:

The Informed Citizen: Virginia Government and Politics—focuses on the basics of Virginia state and local government; who the players are, how government functions, and what the primary issues facing Virginia are.

The Thoughtful Citizen: Virginia Public Policy—explores how public policy is formed and debated in the Commonwealth. Students learn how to engage positively and effectively in policy debates and learn how they can influence public policy.

The Active Citizen: The Tools of Modern Advocacy—gives students the hands-on training and real-world skills that they will need to make their ideas a reality. They will learn how to write a powerful op-ed, to pitch stories to the media
and hold press conferences, to give effective radio and television interviews, and to personally lobby issues with legistors.

Click here to learn more about the CLP curriculum.

Faculty

All of our faculty members are experts on Virginia politics as well as experienced and dedicated to teaching young people about the importance of state and local government. The three primary faculty members for our College Leaders Program include:

Dr. Quentin Kidd—a professor of government at Christopher Newport University. Dr. Kidd has been teaching the youth programs since their inception six years ago.

Dr. Tom Shields— a professor at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond. Dr. Shields has taught our youth programs since 2003.

Click here to learn more about the members of the CLP faculty.
 

Participants

A typical College Leaders Program class includes approximately 25 students. All undergraduates at Virginia colleges and universities, or Virginia residents attending a college  out of state, are eligible to participate in the program. Those students who will be seniors at the time of the application are eligible as well. Students come from throughout Virginia, representing a diverse variety of communities.

A CLP class will typically include students that represent arts and sciences, business, and applied sciences. Past classes have included students majoring in Political Science, Elementary Education, International Relations, Economics, Biology, Communications, Women's Studies, Sociology, Music, Leadership, Philosophy, English, History, Anthropology, Historic Preservation, Environmental Studies, Public Policy and Urban Studies, among others. This program is for all students who are keenly interested in learning more about leadership and public service, not just those who study politics.

Each class aims to reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of Virginia's population. The program attracts students who will be leaders in all aspects of life in the Commonwealth.

Selection Process

The College Leaders Program applicant pool is evaluated to create a highly qualified and diverse class. Competition to participate in the program is particularly rigorous. Participants will be chosen from among all academic majors. Interviews are usually conducted in March and admissions decisions are mailed in early April. Students for the program are chosen through a careful selection process that includes the following considerations:

• complete application and essay
• academic record
• letters of reference
• personal interview—a select number of qualified finalists will be contacted for a brief in-person interview. The interviews are conducted by board members, alumni, and staff.

Applications

To be eligible for the College Leaders Program, applicants must be:

• a student at a college or university in Virginia, or be a Virginia resident attending school in another state
• 24 years of age or younger (including graduating seniors)
• in good academic standing at an accredited institution.

In accordance with a policy of equal opportunity recruitment, the Sorensen Institute strongly encourages women and minority students to apply. The application includes the following components:

• the online application, which includes a one-page essay.
• the applicant's most recent transcript, showing all college coursework. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• one letter of recommendation.

The Sorensen Institute is currently accepting applications for the College Leaders Program Class of 2008. The application deadline is midnight on March 2, 2008.  Click here for more information on how to apply. Alumni and friends of Sorensen are encouraged to refer potential candidates. Please contact Marc Johnson.

Tuition

The cost of the 2008 program is $1,750, which covers all instructional materials, events, room, board, and any related travel costs (field trips). The College Leaders Program is sponsored in part by PNC, which helps us keep tuition costs low.

Scholarships

Scholarships for program tuition are available. Potential applicants are strongly urged to apply regardless of financial concerns. Click here to learn more about available scholarships and financial aid.

College Credit

Students can earn six undergraduate credits from the University of Virginia for an additional cost. Students taking the credit option will have one additional assignment in the program.

Program Schedule

The College Leaders Program Class of 2008 will begin on Saturday, May 31st and end on Saturday, June 28th. All students are housed at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville for the duration of the four-week program. Aside from some field trips, the students will spend most of their time on grounds at the University.

A typical program day starts at 8am with breakfast, and class begins promptly at 9am. Lectures, presentations, discussions, and workshops run throughout the day with multiple breaks and lunch. Dinner is served each evening around 6pm, after which students have free time. Two to three Program Managers, all of whom are alumni of the College Leaders Programs, live on site with the students and are available at all times. On the last day of the program a ceremonial graduation is held at the University. Family and friends are encouraged to attend.

If you have any questions about the College Leaders Program,
contact Marc Johnson at (434) 982-4527 or rmjohnson@virginia.edu