As the Presidential Leadership Scholars gathered for Module Four at the @lbjlibrary , President Bill Clinton reflected on the extraordinary durability of American democracy: “This is the 250th anniversary of our democracy. No elected government has lasted continuously as long as ours has.”
Against the backdrop of America’s 250th anniversary, Scholars explore the principles of influence and persuasion, and what it means to lead with purpose and a long view of history.
They heard examples of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s enduring legacy of leadership from people who knew him well, including his daughter Luci Baines Johnson; Larry Temple, former Special Counsel to President Johnson; and former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Andrew Young.
Read the full module recap at the link in bio.
Apply to join the Presidential Leadership Scholars Class of 2027 ⭐️
We’re looking for leaders from all sectors and backgrounds who are committed to solving today’s most pressing issues. Throughout the program, Scholars explore leadership through the lens of former presidents from both parties and develop a unique network that spans traditional geographic, professional, political, and economic boundaries.
Learn more and apply at the link in our bio or visit presidentialleadershipscholars.org/apply. All application materials are due by Sunday, July 19.
The PLS Class of 2026 visited @thebushcenter for module three last month and learned from experts about building trust to create impact in communities.
As President Bush told the group, “The idea of the Presidential Leadership Scholars is to encourage people to serve and recognize that there is a responsibility as American citizens to make their communities a better place, as part of citizenship.”
Scholars toured the Laura W. Bush Native Texas park with Mrs. Bush, heard from education experts Sec. Margaret Spellings and Holly Kuzmich, and participated in a White House decision-making simulation with Keith Hennessy.
Read the full recap of module three in the link in bio.
Presidential Leadership Scholars exemplify, as President Bill Clinton said in his first inaugural address, “There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.” In February, Scholars gathered at the @clintoncenter in Little Rock, Arkansas, for Module Two of the program, where they focused on the essential leadership skills of vision and communication. During the module, Scholars joined in conversation with influential leaders who served in the Clinton administration, including Don Baer, former White House Communications Director and Director of Speechwriting; Mack McLarty, former White House Chief of Staff; Rodney Slater, former Secretary of Transportation; and Stephanie Streett, former Assistant to the President and Director of Scheduling. Read a recap of the module at the link in bio.
Last month, the PLS Class of 2026 began their program in Washington, DC, with their first module! They embraced the excitement of DC and experienced the unity of coming together as one PLS cohort. Scholars visited the @usnatarchives , listened to presentations from PLS program staff of the Bush Center and Clinton Center, and had a meaningful discussion on data and driving change with Sue Urahn, CEO of @pewtrusts . Stay tuned as we highlight the leadership journey of the Class of 2026! Read a full recap of Module One at the link in bio.
NEW: We are happy to announce the Presidential Leadership Scholars class of 2026!
The program’s 11th cohort includes an accomplished group of 60 #PLScholars who share a passion for addressing society’s toughest challenges and creating lasting, positive change in our country and the world.
Module One begins Jan. 21 in Washington, DC.
Visit the link in our bio to learn more about this year’s class.
Jean Becker, President George H.W. Bush’s chief of staff during his post-presidency, recently spoke with the Presidential Leadership Scholars team about her time serving the president, her memories from President Bush’s participation in PLS, and her hopes for the future of the program. Read her #PLSat10 interview at the link in our bio.
Dr. Mike Hemphill, Co-Director and one of the founding staff members of the Presidential Leadership Scholars program, recently sat down to reflect on the creation and evolution of the program and his hope for the next 10 years of PLS.
Read his complete #PLSat10 interview at presidentialleadershipscholars.org
PLS is... inspiring, working together to build a better tomorrow, what we need now more than ever.
In October, hundreds of PLS alumni gathered in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the program’s 10th anniversary. Hear what a few of them had to say about the impact of PLS. #PLSat10
“As PLS celebrates its tenth year, I see its impact not only in its curriculum or the history it teaches, but in the community it has built,” Niki Marin, PLS Class of 2025, said. “It’s a living network bringing together people who might never have crossed paths and sends them back into the world more prepared to lead with intention and a stronger sense of responsibility.”
Watch a video created by Niki and read her reflection for the #PLSat10 series at the link in our bio.
Larry Temple, Chairman of the LBJ Foundation and former White House Counsel to President Lyndon B. Johnson, recently discussed the impact of the Presidential Leadership Scholars program, the influence of LBJ and Lady Bird Johnson, and his hope for the future of PLS.
Read his #PLSat10 interview at the link in our bio 🔗
