Political Leaders Program

Overview

The Sorensen Institute's flagship Political Leaders Program (PLP) is a leadership development program for residents of Virginia interested in becoming more active in public service, whether as community leaders or as elected officials. Participation in this program has become a traditional "first step" for future political leaders in the Commonwealth. The class meets in various locations across Virginia, once a month for 10 months from March through December. Click here to learn more about the history of the program and the Sorensen Institute.

We are currently accepting applications for the 
Political Leaders Program Class of 2011.

Click here to view the most recent online application instructions.

Curriculum

The PLP curriculum is focused on three core subject areas:

Ethics in Public Service
The program will include a study of general ethical principles as they relate to public service. We also explore Virginia's conflict of interest laws and Freedom of Information Act. The practical application of bipartisan cooperation in politics, including the use of mediation techniques, is also a central theme throughout the program.

Public Policy
Participants will enjoy presentations and discussions regarding a variety of public policy issues facing state and local governments—including but not limited to the state budget, transportation, education, healthcare, economic development, crime and public safety, and the environment. Program speakers include current and former elected officials, cabinet secretaries, business and non-profit leaders, and other experts in each field.

Campaign and Advocacy Skills
The program surveys the key elements of winning political and issue advocacy campaigns. Topics may include fundraising, campaign finance laws, message development, crisis management, working with the media, and more. (For those interested in an intensive, "ready-to-run" campaign education, see our Candidate Training Program).

Selection Process

The Sorensen Institute seeks men and women of all ages from across Virginia who are actively involved in their communities and who desire to participate in the political process. Approximately 35 participants are selected each year in a highly competitive selection process that includes a detailed essay-based application and in-person interviews by staff members, regional board members, and alumni. The Sorensen Institute typically receives more than three times as many applications for the Political Leaders Program each year as there are available spaces in the class. One essential goal of the selection process is to ensure that the program participants reflect the demographic and geographic make up of the state. Each class has a balance between Republicans and Democrats, in addition to participants who have other party or no party affiliations. This composition is critical to the effectiveness of the program. The selection process generally follows this schedule:

November—December: Interviews of applicants, selection of class participants
March—December: Class meets one weekend each month
September—mid November: Applications accepted for next class

Applications

The application process is open to Virginia residents who are eligible to run for political office. A commitment to fully participate in the program is required. We are currently accepting applications to the Political Leaders Program Class of 2011. You can view the instructions for the online application by clicking here.

Tuition

Tuition for the PLP Class of 2011 is $2,250. Acceptance to any Sorensen Institute program is need-blind. Requests for financial aid or scholarships will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis once the selection process is completed. In 2010 we met 100% of demonstrated financial need through a combination of grants, scholarships and financial aid. No individual is ever denied participation in a Sorensen program because of inability to pay the tuition cost. Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses, but food and lodging costs are covered by the tuition.

Program Schedule

The Political Leaders Program runs for ten months each year, March through December. Classes meet one weekend a month and are held in different locations across the state. With few exceptions, a typical weekend schedule begins at 5:30pm on Friday and ends by 3pm on Saturday. Please note: most weekends include an optional Friday lunch, tour, and speaker at which attendance is strongly encouraged. We ask that you please confirm in advance your availability on the weekends below before you apply to the program.

Dates for the Political Leaders Program Class of 2011 are as follows:

March 10-12: Williamsburg*
April 8-9: Richmond
May 20-21: Southside Virginia
June 10-11: Central Virginia
July 15-16: Northern Virginia
August 5-6: Shenandoah Valley
September 9-10: Southwest Virginia
October 14-15: Hampton Roads
November 4-5: Roanoke Valley
December 9-10: Charlottesville
 
*The opening weekend starts the afternoon of Thursday March 10 and runs through Saturday afternoon March 12. Attendance at the entire opening session is mandatory. 

If you have any questions about the Political Leaders Program please contact April Auger at (434) 243-2470 or april.auger@virginia.edu.

Trust, Civility and Respect in Politics