Public Leadership Education Network

The Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) is a series of seminars in Washington D.C. that provide college students with the valuable opportunity to explore their career interests through meetings with industry leaders, interactive workshops, and site visits in the nation’s capital. Full-time undergraduate students can apply to Newcomb Institute to cover the costs of travel, lodging, and the registration fee.

Students who have attended PLEN have gained knowledge and insight into future career paths while making connections with powerful women doing incredible work. The conference offers a great mix of guest speakers, interactive activities, site visits, and career preparation sessions. For more information about the conference, visit PLEN's website or read about past Newcomb student experiences .

Grant Details and Requirements

Newcomb Institute will cover flight reimbursement, lodging and the PLEN registration fee. You will be reimbursed for your flight usually within two weeks of submitting your paperwork after your trip. In order to be reimbursed, you must book your flight with Newcomb Institute and provide Newcomb with a copy of your flight itinerary, pictures of all boarding passes, your name badge, your student ID, and required reimbursement paperwork. You are responsible for additional fees if you book your flight for the incorrect day and/or location.

If you are awarded funding and accept, you are responsible for the following:

Attend all of the PLEN events for your workshop
Uphold Tulane’s student conduct code while you travel to and attend the workshop.
Provide receipts for your flight reimbursement, pictures of your boarding pass and name badge, and a picture of you at the conference.
After the workshop, we will ask you to complete a blog/website feature.

Please note that if you do not attend the entire conference or if you violate the Tulane Code of Conduct and PLEN's rules during the conference you will not be reimbursed for your flight and will be responsible for the PLEN fees.

PLEN: Health Policy Seminar (In Person)

The Health Policy Seminar will take place October 8 - 10, 2022 in Washington, D.C. At this seminar, undergraduates from across the U.S. considering a career in health policy will learn how to make an impact in the legislative and political processes, explore hot-button issues on Capitol Hill, and expand their professional networks in Washington, DC, and beyond.

Dates: October 8th - 10th, 2022

Application Opens: August 29, 2022

App link: https://tulane.campuslabs.com/engage/submitter/form/start/554385

Application Due: Sept. 12, 2022

Newcomb Orientation Dates: September 14-15, 2022 (Time TBD)

PLEN: Women of Color Influencing Washington (Virtual)

The Women of Color Influencing Washington seminar will take place November 9-10, 2022. College students considering careers in policy will learn about the legislative process in Washington, D.C. and explore hot-button issues on the Hill. This seminar exposes students to a range of professional opportunities in and related to Congress, from lobbying to working on a Senate or House Committee.

Application Opens: Sept. 26, 2022
App Link: https://tulane.campuslabs.com/engage/submitter/form/start/555030
Application Due: Oct. 17, 2022
Newcomb Orientation Dates: October 19-20, 2022 (Time TBD)

PLEN: Public Policy Seminar

The Public Policy Seminar will take place January 9 - 13, 2023, and offers endless career opportunities, from government service to issue-based advocacy for nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Undergraduates will explore how to influence the policy issues they are passionate about and learn the range of professional opportunities and skills required to be successful.

Application Opens: November 21, 2022

App link: https://tulane.campuslabs.com/engage/submitter/form/start/555033

Application Due: December 1, 2022

Newcomb Orientation Dates: December 5 - 6, 2022 (Time TBD)

PLEN: STEM Policy Seminar (In Person)

The STEM Policy seminar will take place March 14-16, 2023. This seminar offers undergraduates a valuable opportunity to hear firsthand from women in science, health, and technology who are shaping our nation's STEM agenda.

Application Opens: January 30, 2023
App link: https://tulane.campuslabs.com/engage/submitter/form/start/555039
Application Due: February 14, 2023
Newcomb Orientation Dates: February 16 - 17, 2023 (Time TBD)

PLEN: Global Policy Seminar (In Person)

The Women in Global Policy virtual seminar will take place from May 22-26, 2023. Students will participate in online sessions where they will learn issue-specific information about an array of international policy issues from women professionals working in the field, learn how to break into an international policy career, and get advice to help them achieve their career goals.

Application Opens: April 1, 2023

App link: https://tulane.campuslabs.com/engage/submitter/form/start/555042

Application Due: April 15, 2023

Newcomb Orientation Dates: April 18-19, 2023 (Time TBD)

For more information contact: Deja S. Wells (She/Her/Hers), Senior Program Coordinator for Student Engagement, at dwells6@tulane.edu.