Michigan State University's Michigan Political Leadership Program is accepting applications until Sept. 9.
MPLP is considered one of the nation’s premier leadership programs for its hands-on, activity-packed, bipartisan training approach.
Each year since 1992, MPLP has put out the call for candidates to apply for the competitive 10-month, weekend training. MPLP is offered by the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, a part of MSU's College of Social Science.
Applications are available by phone, mail and online.
In all, 24 fellows are chosen to take part in the curriculum focused on personal leadership, campaign finance, media relations, policy and strategy and the nuts and bolts of everyday governing. The fellows hail in equal numbers from each of the two major political parties – 12 Republicans and 12 Democrats. Twelve women and 12 men are typically selected for balance.
Fellows are lead by two co-directors, one a Republican and the other a Democrat, both experienced in leadership and government.
"MPLP fellows come from all regions of the state, from west Michigan to the state’s southeastern region," said co-director Anne Mervenne of Royal Oak. "They come from the Upper Peninsula, northern Michigan and the state’s central communities."
MPLP fellows are also professionally diverse, and come from the ranks of educators, legislative aides, lawyers, business leaders, telecommuting moms, stay-at-home dads, retailers, school board presidents, auto workers and college students.
During the 10 months of training, Republicans and Democrats learn side-by-side, forging new relationships while they meet and hear from some of the state's top policy and elected authorities.
In the November 2010 election, 14 MPLP graduates won state House races, a new record for the training program.
To date, 500 people are MPLP graduates and an estimated 45 percent of them are serving or have served in elected or appointed positions. Notably, MPLP alumni now serving in the state House represent nearly 13 percent of each of the party caucuses.
MPLP is also unique for celebrating the fellows' graduation at two special events: A dinner in southeast Michigan and breakfast in Grand Rapids. Two nationally known speakers, one Republican and the other a Democrat, keynote the events that draw one of Michigan's largest crowds attending a multipartisan event.
This year's events are tentatively scheduled for late February 2012. Speakers will be announced in early fall.
Read here for more information on MPLP.
For questions about the program or application, call MPLP Administrator Linda Cleary at (517) 353-0891 or email her at clearyl@msu.edu.
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