News and Insights - Presidential Leadership Scholars

PLS alumni build a brighter future for all

July 10, 2025

By Nicole Hawkins In June, the 10th annual class of Presidential Leadership Scholars graduated from the program, bringing the number of alumni to nearly 600. For over a decade, PLS has brought together accomplished professionals from across the nation to learn leadership lessons through the experiences of Presidents George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George […]

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Presidential Leadership Scholars walking the walk in New Orleans

July 10, 2025 | An-Me Chung (‘15) and | Kevin Causey (‘16)

By An-Me Chung (2015), Kevin Causey (2016) Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) alumni from across seven different cohorts gathered in April in New Orleans to celebrate 10 years of the program. Set in the inspiring Hall of Democracy at the National WWII Museum, the reunion did what PLSers do best – build community, deepen fellowship, and […]

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PLS at 10: Secretary Andy Card on the program’s ‘great gift to our democracy’

July 10, 2025

Secretary Andy Card, who served as Secretary of Transportation under President George H.W. Bush and Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush, sat down with the Presidential Leadership Scholars team in College Station, Texas, to talk about the lessons he learned from the 41st and 43rd presidents, his hope for the future of PLS, […]

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Service, selflessness, and humility: Lessons from the 41st president

June 6, 2025

By Nicole Hawkins “Any definition of a successful life includes service to others.” -President George H.W. Bush Becoming a Presidential Leadership Scholar isn’t easy – thousands have applied throughout the past decade, and around 60 professionals are selected for each year’s class after a thorough application and interview process. While professional achievements and a proven […]

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PLS at 10: A letter to the Presidential Leadership Scholars past, present, and future

May 30, 2025

By Mark Updegrove In the fall of 2014, I joined a group of 15 or so representing the foundations of George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon Johnson convened at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas to conduct interviews with candidates for the first class of Presidential Leadership Scholars. The […]

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LBJ’s influence lives on through the Presidential Leadership Scholars

May 14, 2025

Presidential Leadership Scholars Module Four recap

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Application opens for Presidential Leadership Scholars Class of 2026

May 12, 2025

A one-of-a-kind opportunity to join a powerful network of leaders and learn from the presidential experiences of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson May 12, 2025 – The Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) program opened applications today for its 2026 program cycle. For ten years, PLS has brought together leaders […]

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Presidential Leadership Scholars explore lessons on vision and communication in Little Rock

April 14, 2025

Presidential Leadership Scholars Module Three recap

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A 2023 Presidential Leadership Scholar is fighting back against human trafficking in Texas

March 26, 2025

New Life, shares how the PLS Program shaped and inspired her work to combat human trafficking in Texas.

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Turning obstacles into opportunities through the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program

March 19, 2025

By Casey Rodriguez Presidential Leadership Scholars Module Two recap Decision-making through the lens of President George W. Bush’s Administration took center stage during Module Two of the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program last month in Dallas. Scholars of the 10th PLS class heard from President Bush directly as well as officials who worked for him who […]

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