UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Applications for the Penn State Presidential Leadership Academy (PLA) are now open. Each year, 30 first-year students are selected to participate in this selective certificate program.
Any current first year student at University Park with a GPA of 3.2 or above may apply to PLA. Applications close at 5 p.m. on Feb. 27. Penn State faculty and staff may also nominate qualified students online by 5 p.m. on Feb. 16.
“I am so excited to invite students to apply to PLA,” said program director Melissa Doberstein. “They’ll join a diverse group of other students who will work together to become strong, empathetic, and smart leaders.”
During their first semester in PLA, students take a weekly seminar course with Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi. They will also take a leadership development course taught by Patrick Mather, dean of the Schreyer Honors College.
In addition to their courses, students attend leadership trainings, engage with community programs, and participate in fully funded field trips. During the field trips, students travel to a U.S. city where they meet Penn State alumni and leaders in their industries.
PLA was established in 2009 with a gift from Edward R. and Helen S. Hintz to develop critical-thinking and educate selected students in personal, global and cultural spheres. Each year, a diverse class joins the academy to consider the complexity and variability of world matters and current events. PLA values the idea that critical thinking on issues is not black or white, but instead, somewhere in the gray.
All questions and inquiries about nominations and applications may be directed to Melissa Doberstein via email at mif3@psu.edu.