Who we are Available Seminars
The Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) is the
only national organization with the sole focus of preparing
college women for leadership in the public policy arena.
PLEN is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization based in
Washington, D.C.
PLEN’s mission is to increase the number of women in top
leadership positions influencing all aspects of the public
policy process.
Each year, PLEN brings hundreds of women students from
colleges and universities across the country to Washing-
ton, D.C. They experience first-hand how public policy is
shaped and implemented at the national level. They are
better prepared to become the next generation of public
policy decision makers.
Students meet with and learn from female leaders making
and influencing public policy at the highest levels in
Congress, the courts, federal agencies, the private sec-
tor, policy research and advocacy organizations, and the
media. These women leaders serve as teachers as well as
mentors. Students and schools report this experience is
invaluable.
WOMEN, LAW, AND LEGAL ADVOCACY
THE LEGAL SECTOR OFFERS UNPARALLELED OPPORTUNITY TO
AFFECT POLICY. FROM NONPROFITS’ ADVOCACY, TO CONGRES-
SIONAL STAFFS CRAFTING LEGISLATION, TO THE CHAMBERS OF
THE SUPREME COURT, WOMEN ARE ON THE FRONT LINES OF
THE GREAT LEGAL BATTLES OF OUR TIME.
At the three-day Women, Law, and Legal Advocacy sem-
inar, college women from across the U.S. considering a
career in law will explore the connections between legal
careers and the legislative process in Washington, DC, see
first-hand how to use a career in law to make a difference
in their communities and the country, and gain access to
a network of women ready to help them launch a legal
career.
WOMEN IN HEALTH POLICY
THOUGH WOMEN MAKE UP 80% OF HEALTHCARE WORK-
ERS, 60% OF THE INDUSTRY’S KEY DECISION MAKERS ARE
MEN.
At the three-day Women in Health Policy seminar, college
women 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. Experienced women who
have broken the glass ceiling on both sides of the aisle
are our faculty, and government, nonprofit, and corporate
offices across DC are our classrooms.
Q&A
Who can attend a PLEN seminar?
PLEN is dedicated to preparing students for roles in
women’s leadership. PLEN is designed
for undergraduate students and recent graduates
from any college or university who are
committed to increasing the number of women in top
leadership positions influencing all
aspects of the public policy process.
How do I register for a PLEN seminars?
PLEN uses online registration. Learn more about our
seminars and registration deadlines.
Why are there different fees for the same
seminar?
Each seminar has a multi-tiered fee structure based
on whether a student is attending from a member
institution or from an institution that is not a PLEN
member. Find out if your school is a member
institution. Learn how to make your university a PLEN
member institution.
Can I receive academic credit for attending
a PLEN seminar?
Many students receive academic credit for attending
a PLEN seminar. Check with your academic advisor
to see if your college or university grants credit for
participation in a PLEN seminar. Students typically
receive between 1 and 3 credits, depending on the
PLEN seminar and the requirements of your advisor
and institution. Some faculty members may require
that you complete a paper or independent study/
research project in conjunction with the PLEN seminar
to receive credit.
 PLEN Student Stand
Outs
Kyra Solis (BS ‘19)
Just before she transferred to Texas Woman’s Uni-
versity, Kyra Solis’ career plan seemed set: First, a
nursing school education and then a steady posi-
tion with a hospital or doctor’s group. But a dose of
reality hit her shortly after her transfer, when she
learned that getting into nursing school wasn’t as
easy as she thought. Her grades were good enough,
but the competition was fierce.
A frank discussion with an academic adviser got
her thinking about another academic opportunity,
and in a similar direction: Health Studies.
“I realized I was more comfortable seeing the big
picture – I don’t need to be the person addressing
symptoms of people with illnesses; I want to be
involved with changing the whole health system
itself,” Solis said.
That she already possessed some leadership attri-
butes and a passion for community health helped
her solidify her pursuit of a health studies degree.
Solis is president of TWU’s chapter of IGNITE, an
organization dedicated to making young women
more politically engaged; and she currently interns
with the United Way of Denton County.
Contact Information &
Social Media Info
Contact us via phone, email, or come visit us!
Phone: 202-872-1585
Email: plen@plen.org
Address:
1875 Connecticut Ave NW, 10th Floor, Washington, D.C.
20009
Social Media Information
Facebook: www.facebook.com/plennetwork
Twitter: twitter.com/plennetwork
Instagram: www.instagram.com/plennetwork
Graduate School Programs
Teach For America corps members commit to teach for
two years in 46 regions across the country. They work
relentlessly to lead their students to the academic success
that can put them on a dramatically different life path.
She Should Run is a non-partisan 501(c)3 organization
expanding the talent pool of future elected female
leaders. She Should Run started as a project in 2008 and
has evolved to become a movement working to create a
culture that inspires women and girls to aspire towards
public leadership.