2025/26 Minority Political Leadership Institute Application

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2025/26 Minority Political Leadership Institute Application

Thank you for applying to the 2025/26 Minority Political Leadership Institute. This application will ask for different types of information, including a personal statement, headshot, biosketch, and CV/resume. You can close out and come back to the form at any time, and your data will be saved.

July 1: Application Deadline

July 2-14: Application Review

July 21-August 1: Applicant Virtual Interviews

August 4: Notify Applicants

August 18: Deadline for Application Acceptance

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First Name

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Preferred Name(s)

Last Name

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Pronouns (?)

Street Address
(include city, state, zip code)

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Preferred Phone Number

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Alternate Email (for alumni communications)

How did you hear about this program?

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If other, please specify:

Professional Title

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Organization

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What sector do you currently work in?

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Please submit a professional headshot. If you do not have a headshot, another picture or selfie will do just fine.

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Professional Biosketch (limit 100 words)
Refer to this resource for how to write a professional biosketch

The class materials include a brief biographical sketch of each participant to help participants get to know each other more quickly and to facilitate networking after the institute's completion. We ask each participant to write a one-or two-paragraph biography. Past biographies have included:

Current job assignment
Length of time working in your field
Brief highlights of past work history
Education and professional designations
Honors and special recognition
Interests and hobbies

The following is an example:

Margaret H. Thatcher (Meg), MA is currently serving as Deputy of the Council on Regional Cooperation and has been in this position for more than three years. Her current job involves responsibility for personnel, accounting, purchasing, and information systems. Prior to that, she held a variety of administrative positions with the Department of Housing and Community Development. Thatcher received her B.A. in History from William and Mary, and her M.A. in Political Science from the University of Virginia. She has received many awards including Outstanding Woman of the Year in Public Service in 1995. A native of England, Thatcher enjoys many outdoor sports, especially horseback riding.

In order for all biographies to be consistent, please submit in the third person (he/she/they/etc.) and keep to one to two paragraphs.

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Upload CV/Resume

Upload file as word (doc/docx) or pdf.

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What range best describes your age?

Which category(ies) describe(s) you best (Choose as many as apply)

White (non-hispanic, spanish, latinx origin)

Hispanic and/or Spanish origin

Black or African American

Asian

American Indian or Alaska Native

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Other race, ethnicity, or origin not mentioned

If other, please specify:

What word(s) do you use to describe your gender

What is the highest educational degree/certificate you have obtained?

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If other, please specify:

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Civic engagement experience to date (check all that may apply):

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Campaign Volunteer

Campaign Professional

Candidate for Office

Involved in Community/Civic Organizations

Involved in Statewide Organizations/Politics

Seeking Involvement in Community Organizations

Seeking Involvement in Statewide Organizations

Seeking Roles on State and Local Boards and Commissions

Other

1. Why are you applying to MPLI? What approaches, skills and talents do you seek to develop in this program?

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2. Identify one major challenge/issue facing minority communities. What insights, actions and recommendations do you suggest and why? What skills or experiences may help you address these issues?

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This application must be complete and include the following supplemental documents by August 1, 2025 in order for your application to be considered for acceptance into the program:

Please confirm you acknowledge and understand the following:

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I understand and acknowledge the program fee for MPLI is $2,150 and is due September 5th, 2025. I understand and acknowledge that my program fee is non-refundable once I am accepted.

I understand that if accepted, I am responsible for securing appropriate work-release time for all training events.

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