Sorensen Institute Accepting Applications for 2013 Political Leaders and Candidate Training Programs

Group photo with everyone wearing coal miners hats and bright safety vests

The Political Leaders Program class visiting an Alpha coal mine in McClure, Va.

Interested in running for office or becoming more active in public service?

The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, based at the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, is accepting applications through Nov. 12 for its 2013 Political Leaders Program and Candidate Training Program.

These programs provide an opportunity for leaders to develop meaningful relationships with Virginians of differing political viewpoints and from other areas of the state.

The Sorensen Institute is a nonpartisan organization committed to strengthening and enhancing the quality of governance at all levels throughout Virginia. Of the 1,500 graduates of all Sorensen programs, 20 currently serve in the General Assembly, two in the House of Representatives, and more than 100 have been elected to local office or serve on boards and commissions.

At the heart of every Sorensen program are three central themes: ethics in public service, the power of bipartisanship and a concentrated study of public policy issues, noted Sorensen's director of programs April Auger.

The Political Leaders Program is a leadership development program for residents of Virginia interested in becoming more active in public service. Participants spend one weekend a month from March through December traveling across the state along with 35 other civic-minded individuals.

The Candidate Training Program is an intensive, four-day program focused on the fundamentals of running a winning campaign for office. Participants will explore the nuts and bolts of building a strong campaign from the ground up.

Sorensen seeks participants from all political affiliations, socio-economic backgrounds and professions from Virginia. Scholarships and tuition assistance are available. To learn more about Sorensen's programs, or to apply, visit sorenseninstitute.org.

The application deadline for the 2013 Political Leaders Program and Candidate Training Program is Nov. 12 at 5 p.m. All application materials for these programs can be found here. For information, contact April Auger, director of programs, at 434-243-2470 or april.auger@virginia.edu.

Media Contact

Rebecca P. Arrington

Office of University Communications