Deadline: August 31, 2018
Apply today for the Presidential Leadership Scholars Class of 2019. The Presidential Leadership Scholars program enhances the impact of leaders who are creating change in their communities, the Nation, and the world. A first-of-its-kind curriculum and unparalleled opportunity to join a diverse network of change-makers sharpens participants’ skills and exposes them to new ideas and thinking. They are led through an exploration of principles that directly help them address a need in society.
The presidential centers of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson bring together leaders from across the non-profit, military, public, and private sector fields to learn first-hand from four consequential presidencies. The program produces the bold and principled leaders needed to solve our most pressing challenges.
The Presidential Leadership Scholars program is designed for leaders from diverse backgrounds who share a commitment to facing society’s greatest challenges. Participants bring a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences, and benefit from a dynamic learning experience that stresses the importance of cooperation and collaboration.
The program requires a six-month commitment. During that time, participants meet for a five-day opening session, which is followed by one extended weekend meeting per month at each of the presidential centers. The program concludes with a five-day session. Please see the program schedule for required dates. Please note that some scholars may need to travel the day before a module in order to arrive in time for the start of the session. PLS was designed so that participants could remain in their jobs while in the program, but we encourage you to discuss with your employer and ensure their support for the schedule that is required of participants.
Benefits
The program provides domestic air transportation (when applicable), ground transportation, hotel lodging, and meals during the module.
Cost:
Scholars are responsible for the costs of transportation to and from the airport and airport parking in the participant’s home city. Meals outside of the module (while traveling, before or after the module, etc.) are not covered. Each scholar is expected to provide a credit card for incidental charges at each hotel.
Eligibility
The Presidential Leadership Scholars program is for individuals who are motivated to build on their established record of meaningful leadership and broaden their commitment to leadership by learning from scholars, peers, and practitioners.
While the program is designed to assemble a unique and diverse cohort of high-potential leaders, Scholars most successful in the program share certain personal characteristics:
- Civically Minded: Willing and eager to take actions to improve society.
- Eager to Receive Feedback: Willing to seek, humbly accept, and actively respond to feedback.
- Accepting of Diverse Points of View: Welcoming opportunities to interact with and learn from others with different backgrounds or perspectives.
- Experienced Professionals: Having a breadth and depth of professional experience (though “quality” is not easily measured in time, the majority of accepted applicants have 10+ years of professional experience and are at a point in their careers where their participation in PLS will be felt for many years to come).
- Demonstrated Leadership: Using PLS to build on an established record of meaningful leadership (PLS is not an introductory course in leadership.)
- In Positions of Influence: Having an opportunity to take action and promote change in their communities or organizations.
- Committed to the Program: Willing to fully participate in a rigorous and intense six-month program by being on site at modules in five different locations for approximately 20 days and spending 50+ hours on pre- and post-module assignments.
The program seeks participants from a wide range of fields, including business, military, nonprofit, and government.
To qualify for consideration, applicants must be U.S. citizens and legal residents living and working in the United States or are able to get to the United States at their own expense for each module.
Application
Candidates will be assessed by their application submission, recommendations, and essays. Select candidates will be invited to participate in final interviews. Finalists will be notified by early November if they have been invited to participate in the interview process. Interviews will be conducted via videoconference through late November and final acceptance decisions will be made before the end of December 2018.
For more information, visit Presidential Leadership Scholars Program.
