The Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) program draws on the strengths and leadership initiatives of the four affiliated presidential centers. By including a roster of presidential centers – two Republican and two Democratic – and by enjoying the engagement of former presidents from both parties, the program creates a rare opportunity to instill in our Scholars a brand of principled leadership that transcends diverse backgrounds.
This executive-style education series creates a life-long network for Scholars and fosters opportunities for leaders to emerge ready to offer solutions to pressing national problems. The program is designed to develop a new generation of leaders who are focused on solving society’s toughest challenges and creating measurable change in their communities, our Nation, and the world.
These diverse, high performing mid-career professionals take their leadership strengths to a higher level and graduate from the program emboldened with the practical skills necessary to drive solution-oriented action. Along the way, they build a network that spans geographic, professional, and societal boundaries, challenges pre-existing perceptions and pre-conceived notions, and demonstrates the power of working together to achieve lasting positive change.
The Presidential Leadership Scholars program is for individuals who have the skills, values, and motivation to become a special kind of leader. We are looking for people who have the desire and capacity to take their leadership strengths to a higher level in order to help their communities, professions, organizations, and, thus, our country. 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:
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.