PLS Graduation Ceremony. Photo by Grant Miller
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A one-of-a-kind opportunity to join a network of leaders making a difference in the world and learn from the presidential experiences of George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson

May 8, 2024 – The Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) program opened the application process today for its 2025 program cycle. For nearly a decade, PLS has brought together a diverse group of bold and principled leaders who are committed to facing critical challenges at home or around the world and are interested in exploring leadership through the lens of the presidential experiences of George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson. The application period for the Class of 2025 will remainopen through July 14 at midnight CT.

The selected group of professionals will begin a journey in January 2025 to hone their leadership abilities through interactions and sessions with inspiring changemakers, key administration officials, leading academics, and business leaders. Scholars gain the insights and skills necessary to work across differences and develop a diverse network that spans traditional geographic, professional, political, and economic boundaries. During the six-month program, Scholars form meaningful relationships with one another and learn from each other’s divergent views and backgrounds.

“I applied to PLS because I was seeking a community to both learn from and lean on,” said Anita Ravi, 2022 Scholar and CEO and co-founder of the PurpLE Health Foundation. “And that’s exactly what I found and continue to find.”

Scholars put their learning into action through a personal leadership project, intended to solve a problem or pressing issue in their community, organization, country, or the world. Examples of these Scholar-led efforts include providing online education, mentorship, and mental health support for the women and girls of Ukraine and Afghanistan; launching a global campaign to safeguard at least 30% of the world’s lands and oceans by 2030; and solving for a labor shortage at one of the largest fire departments in the United States.

Alumni of the PLS program include veterans, educators, physicians, public servants, corporate professionals, and nonprofit leaders at the forefront of their industries who all have one thing in common – their mission to have positive impact and bridge divides.

Since PLS launched in 2015, more than 500 Scholars have participated in the program, building a strong, robust, and active alumni network across the United States. The program will celebrate its 10-year anniversary throughout the 2025 program year.

Program tuition, housing, meals, and travel to host cities are fully funded by the program.

To apply for the 2025 program cycle, visit https://www.presidentialleadershipscholars.org/apply/.

View program photos at the PLS Flickr account.

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About Presidential Leadership Scholars

Presidential Leadership Scholars is a partnership among the presidential centers of George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson. To learn more, visit www.presidentialleadershipscholars.org. For updates about the Presidential Leadership Scholars, use #PLScholars and follow @PLSprogram on Twitter.