Lessons in leadership from the Presidential Leadership Scholars program: Session 1 in D.C.
Last week, the 2018 Class of Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) kicked off the fourth year of the program with a week full of sessions in Washington D.C. There, the impressive group of Scholars — comprised of doctors, veterans, corporate professionals, scientists, public servants, educators, and more from across the country — came together to embark on a six month journey to collaborate and make a difference in the world as they learn about leadership through the lens of the presidential experiences of George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson. Here’s a recap of the week:
- Scholars saw first-hand the collaborative non-partisan values with which the PLS program was created including: a conversation focused on women’s leadership with Margaret Spellings — former Secretary of Education, former President of the Bush Center, and current President of the University of North Carolina — and Stephanie S. Streett — former Director of Scheduling and current Executive Director of the Clinton Foundation — moderated by Tobi Young — former Special Assistant to President and Associate Counsel in the Office of the White House Counsel in the Bush (43) administration, and current General Counsel, Staff Secretary, and Secretary of the Board at the Bush Center.
- Anita McBride — former Assistant to President George W. Bush and Chief of Staff to the First Lady Laura Bush who also served in the Bush (41) and Raegan administrations, and current Executive-in-Residence at the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies in the School of Public Affairs at American University — introduced Sylvia M. Burwell — former Secretary of Health and Human Services who also served in the Clinton administration, and current President of American University — who spoke with Scholars about her experiences in leadership from her positions in the White House to university president.
- Scholars learned about presidential history — at the White House Historical Association where they toured the Decatur House and learned about Washington’s leadership style and impact on defining the role of our country’s chief executive by Richard Norton Smith
