PLEN
Chatham University is a founding member of PLEN (the Public Leadership Education Network), a coalition of women’s colleges and universities that offers Washington DC-based seminars and internships.
The Center offers scholarships for Chatham students to attend PLEN Seminars throughout the year, awarded on a rolling basis. These trips are typically attended by students interested in public policy careers. Participants in PLEN seminars or internships have credit-earning opportunities.
Participants 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. Over the course of the seminar, students will network and learn from leaders on Capitol Hill, the executive branch, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private corporations.
Via breakout sessions throughout the week, participants will tailor their experience to fit their current and potential policy interests. And all students will come together for our classic "PLENary" Sessions, like Networking 101, Launching Your Career, and more!
Apply for a PLEN Scholarship
Want to attend a PLEN seminar? The Center coordinates applications to the PLEN program. Get started by completing the application for a 2025 - 2026 VanKirk Scholarship.
Contact the PCWP at pcwp@chatham.edu for additional information about conference registration, credit, and financial assistance for participation.
Support for PLEN Scholarships is provided by Tom and Bonnie VanKirk ‘81
Upcoming PLEN Seminars
Fall Seminar
October 14-16, 2025
Scholarship Application Deadline: September 19, 2025
Winter Seminar
January 5-9, 2026
Scholarship Application Deadline: TBD
Spring Seminar
March 18-20, 2026
Scholarship Application Deadline: TBD
