National Student Leadership Conference

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The NSLC summer political science program for high school students, U.S. Policy and Politics, gives you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the challenging complexities of the American political system. You will step into the shoes of a U.S. Senator as you work to see your ideas and passions become law. You will use your powers of persuasion and negotiation skills as you move your bill from committee to the Senate floor. In addition to serving your country in the Senate, you and your team will face the challenges of a fast-paced Presidential campaign. You may attempt to influence the election as part of an issue advocacy campaign, strategize an action plan to secure your candidate’s success or even campaign for votes as you run for President.

While at the NSLC summer political science program, you will meet with and learn from U.S. government officials, interest group leaders and political campaign experts. In past years, our students were able to question Congressmen on policy, hear inside campaign stories and strategies from Presidential campaign managers, ask Secretaries about interdepartmental coordination and program implementation, and learn about upcoming elections from the Chairmen of the Democratic and Republican National Committees.

Past speakers have included:

• Secretary Michael Johanns, Department of Agriculture
• Secretary Rodney Paige, Department of Education
• Secretary James Nicholson, Department of Veterans Affairs
• Mr. Michael Toner, Commissioner, Federal Election Commission (FEC)
• Mr. Mike Duncan, Chairman, Republican National Committee
• Mr. Terry McAuliffe, Chairman, Democratic National Committee
• Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE)
• Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN)
• Mr. Robert Merry, President & Publisher, Congressional Quarterly
• Mr. Larry Noble, Executive Director, Center for Responsive Politics
• President Reg Weaver, President, National Education Association (NEA)
• Ms. Nancy Tate, Executive Director, League of Women Voters (LWV)
• Mr. Glen Caroline, Director, National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA)
• Professor Nadine Strossen, President , American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
• Mr. Dennis Courtland Hayes, President (NAACP)

At the NSLC, you will enjoy college-level lectures on the American political system. The lecture series will give you a foundation of knowledge that will be vital for your success, not only during the conference but in your future career in politics and government.

Topics include:

• Campaigns and Elections
• Foundations of American Political Culture
• Interest Groups and the Media
• Congressional History and Structure
• The Presidency

At the heart of the NSLC is a leadership curriculum designed to build concrete leadership skills that will help you succeed. From the beginning of your program you will learn to work as a team during an exciting Ropes Challenge Course. Interactive lectures and small-group workshops will give you an opportunity to build upon your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.

Leadership topics tailored to the U.S. Policy & Politics program include:

• Personality Styles and Group Dynamics
• Conflict Resolution
• Negotiation
• Stress and Time Management
• Public Speaking
• Intrapersonal Communication

An important part of the NSLC summer political science program is seeing the sites around some of our nation’s greatest cities. These trips are designed as both sightseeing tours and exclusive educational trips specifically tailored to the area of Politics:

Washington, D.C.

• Capitol Hill
• U.S. Supreme Court
• State Department
• The Smithsonian Institution
• Historic D.C. Monuments at Night
• Baltimore Harbor