When President George W. Bush and President Bill Clinton created the Presidential Leadership Scholars program 10 years ago, we could only dream of the impact the Scholar-leaders would have in their communities. But perhaps more importantly, the impact they would have on each other.
PLS is a program like no other. It has remained steadfast through the political winds of three presidential elections – 2016, 2020, and 2024 – by uniting Scholars to each other and their communities. They are humans trying to make the world a better place for those around them and for the next generation.
Without identifying political affiliation, Scholars are able to make genuine connections based on who they are as people. PLS’s approach to leadership encourages participants to see each other as moms, dads, daughters, sons, back-up dancers, roller derby skaters, mountain climbers, scuba divers, and so many other things at a time when most people’s tendency is to retreat to one’s political corner.
The Scholars give parenting advice, discuss challenges in the workplace, talk about how they fill their cups outside of their jobs, and even make plans to enjoy a day on the lake as a group. By building relationships on things other than the way they vote, the group creates the space for diversity of thought, challenged perspectives, and encompassing solutions. If and when Scholars choose to reveal their political affiliations, the foundation of love and respect that has already been established keeps politics from derailing the sense of community.
Tynesia Boyea-Robinson, Class of 2019, said that her class “really took to heart that it’s about each of us trying to make the country better regardless [of what] our backgrounds were.”
Zanes Cypress, Class of 2023, said that “in engaging my diverse cohort and finding friendship with them and others … I have been able to grow my level of empathy, my willingness to understand, and my desire to find common ground.”
While some Scholars come into the first module with preconceived notions that PLS is a political leadership program, they quickly learn that, while political service underlies the genesis of the program, it is instead a leadership experience that pushes participants to challenge their assumptions, lean in with curiosity, and seek understanding.
Recently, Class of 2024 Scholars Julie Radford and Sarah Paden, who self-identify on opposite ends of the political spectrum, joined forces to kickstart a project that encourages civil discourse and fosters engagement for leaders to ultimately build bridges across divides. What they learned in PLS was that creating a space for others to learn about each other and have difficult conversations ultimately moves the country forward in a positive way.
Scholars like Julie, Sarah, Zanes, Tynesia, and the rest of our 537 alumni show up in their communities and workplaces every day with the desire to effect positive change in a way that brings people together instead of driving them apart. They ask themselves who isn’t at the table when making a decision – and why not. They actively push against flattening identities to one or two demographic categories, but instead celebrate every category that someone brings to the conversation. They build strategic partnerships across divides to better serve those around them. They learn to be better listeners, better partners, and, ultimately, better leaders.
Political winds will blow every which way – especially with the charged language of an election year – but what remains firm are values-driven problem solvers, bridge builders, and community leaders who have a genuine interest in others.
“Be curious, not judgmental” – a quote made popular in recent years by Ted Lasso – accurately reflects of how the leaders that make up this amazing alumni network lead every day.
