Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)

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Sorensen designed this program for Virginians in the first decade of their career who have an interest in assuming greater responsibility in the community through leadership, policy, and governance. ELP attendees are able to

• Bring together a diverse group of young professionals from across the Commonwealth who have an interest in strengthening the quality of governance at all levels and wish to expand their skill sets and knowledge base about leadership, policy, and governance;
• Prepare participants to move into positions of greater responsibility within government, assume the role of a community leader, or seek elective or appointed office in the executive or legislative branches of government; and
• Provide a balanced perspective by ensuring a mix of Republican and Democratic program participants. Applicants who have another party affiliation or no such affiliation are also encouraged to apply.

Program Details

Program Schedule

The Emerging Leaders Program is an eight-day leadership development program that occurs in three sessions over three months.

With few exceptions, Emerging Leaders Program sessions start late morning on the first day of the session. The final day of the session ends in the late afternoon. The curriculum includes presentations, peer workshops, and dinners with guest speakers. A major component is a public policy project.

Sample Schedule

The 2025 Program dates were:

• August 21, 22, 23: First Session in South Boston, VA
• September 12, 13: Second Session in Richmond, VA
• October 9, 10, 11: Third Session and Graduation in Gloucester, VA

Attendance

Because of the interactive nature of the program and the way in which lessons build upon one another, the overall success of the program depends on the attendance of all students at all sessions. 

Therefore, attendance during the entirety of the three-day sessions in August and October are mandatory. During the two-day session in September, an absence of one half-day may be requested. Absences require prior approval of the Sorensen staff and will be approved only if the absence will not affect the integrity of the program.

With few exceptions, the following is a typical weekend schedule:

• Thursday-Saturday sessions typically begin on Thursday sometime between 10:30am and noon
• Friday-Saturday sessions begin on Friday sometime between 8:30am and 10am
• Sessions on Thursday and Friday typically end between 8:30 and 9:30pm. Saturday sessions typically conclude between 4:30 and 5:30pm

Curriculum

Effective leadership — through building trust, communicating with respect, working together, and ethical behavior — is a central theme of the program. We explore many issues that are not inherently partisan and that instead reward bipartisan or nonpartisan cooperation in crafting approaches to problems, opportunities, and challenges faced by Virginia residents. We also review techniques for finding common ground in addressing potentially divisive topics and challenging conversations.

The Emerging Leaders Program curriculum is focused on several core subject areas:

Public Policy

Participants will engage in presentations and discussions of a variety of public policy issues facing state and local governments.

Policy Advocacy Skills

The program involves real-world exercises in creating, advocating for, and defending public policy initiatives. The class will work in small groups to craft policy proposals similar to those considered by Virginia’s executive branch, General Assembly, and local governments.

Virginia’s Government Structure

From its single-term Governor to its part-time General Assembly to its system of counties and independent cities to the Dillon Rule, Virginia government has a structure that is unique. Program participants will learn about the powers and limitations that these attributes create.

Ethics in Public Service

The program will include a study of ethical principles as they relate to public service. We also explore Virginia's conflict of interest laws and Freedom of Information Act.

Effective Leadership

The cohort will learn how people in the first decade of their career (generally ages 22 to 35) can develop the management and leadership skills that facilitate professional growth and improve the chances for advancement to positions of greater responsibility.

Tuition & Aid

Program Fee

The program fee to participate in the ELP 2025 cohort was $2,700, which includes lodging for each weekend and covers most meals, entrance fees at venues, and program materials. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the program sessions and occasional meals.

Payment of the program fee for ELP 2025 participants was due in full by May 23, 2025. 

Financial Aid

The Sorensen Institute has a limited amount of funds available for financial aid for program participants with demonstrated need -- generally no more than 25% of the program fee. We request that participants who need such assistance to check first with their employer, many of whom pay program fees for nonpartisan professional development programs such as those offered by the Sorensen Institute.

More information about an available payment plan and how to apply for financial aid can be found on the Financial Aid page. Preference for the 2025 program was given to financial aid applications filed by May 23rd, 2025.

Payment Plan

A payment deferral plan, which results in a program fee of $3,000, was available in 2025 with an initial deposit due on May 23, 2025. Additional information about the payment plan can be found on the Financial Aid page.

How to Apply

ELP 2026 Salesforce Instructions

• Access the 2026 ELP Application via Sorensen website https://www.coopercenter.org/sorensen/elp or the “Cooper Center Portal Instructions” webpage: https://www.coopercenter.org/cooper-center-portal-instructions
• Create an account
  • We recommend creating an account well in advance of the application deadline to ensure timely completion.
  • Submit the registration form (personal and contact information) to create an account
    • Under “Which program are you interested in?”
      • Select “Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership”
  • Check for an email from CCPS to create a password, then log into the portal
• Under the “Select a Service” dropdown tab, click “Sorensen Institute”
• The Early Action Application process consist of three parts:
  • 1. Early Action Application Form: Due Monday, May 4, 2026 at 11:59PM
    • Under the “New Applications” dropdown tab, click “Emerging Leaders Program”
  • 2. Personal Information: Due Monday, May 4, 2026 at 11:59PM
    • Under the “Personal Information” dropdown tab, update your “Contact Information”, “Education”, “Employment”, and “Community Activities”
    • You do not need to upload personal forms, e.g. insurance forms, at this time.
  • 3. Supplemental Materials (Resume and 1-2 Letters of Recommendation): Four Business Days After Application Submitted

    • After you submit the application form, you will receive an email within 1-2 business days with instructions on how to upload supplemental materials.

      (Note that your recommenders can submit letters of recommendation to us via email to srb6dp@virginia.edu.)

Application Deadlines

Early Action Applications Close:

May 4, 2026

Priority Financial Aid Requests Submitted Electronically by:

May 8, 2026

Supplemental Materials Submitted Electronically by:

Four Business Days After Application Submitted

How Applicants Are Selected

The Sorensen Institute seeks applicants in the first ten years of their career working in local, state, or federal government or in the private or nonprofit sector positions that include interaction with government or public policy. (Typically, applicants range in age from 22 to 35.) Approximately 20-25 participants will be selected in a competitive selection process that includes an essay-based application and may also include interviews with Sorensen staff members and alumni. Interviews for the 2026 cohort will take place via Zoom.

Ideally, the cohort will have a balance between Republicans and Democrats, as well as participants who have other party or no party affiliations.

If you would like to refer someone to the Emerging Leaders Program, please visit our referrals page.

Application Requirements

Applying to the Emerging Leaders Program involves the following:

• Completing an Online Application which includes:
  • short essay questions
  • background/contact information
• Submitting optional supplemental information via the application portal:

  • Your resume and up to two letters of recommendation (no more than 2 will be reviewed)

    (Note that your recommenders can submit letters of recommendation to us via email to srb6dp@virginia.edu.)

  • Your Financial Aid Application (More information can be found in the Tution & Aid section above)

Application Short Essay Questions

The online application includes a number of short-answer essay questions. Each question requires an answer of 250 to 500 words. The essays are a significant part of the selection process and very important to making admissions decisions. The essay questions on the online application are as follows:

1. Describe your recent leadership activities? What do you consider to be your highest leadership achievement so far?
2. What academic, community, governmental, political, professional, or other activity are you most proud of? What barriers have you encountered while pursuing this activity?
3. What are your long-range political goals?
4. What does state or local government in VA do well?
5. What would you change about government in VA?
6. What specific skills, knowledge, or resources do you hope to acquire from ELP?

Application Contact and Background Information

You should also be prepared with the following information to successfully complete the application:

• How did you learn about the Sorensen Institute?
• Current employment: employer, your title, your supervisor, work address and phone number
• Education: high school, college, graduate school, and any relevant non-degree training programs
• Past Employment: list past employers including your title, supervisor, and dates of employment
• Activities: list organizations and activities that demonstrate your commitment to public service, community involvement, and/or volunteer work.
• Contact information: your current mailing address, home phone, work phone, cell phone, and email address
• Two references