By Ella Prieto, Staff Writer
Applications recently opened for the Eisenhower Institute’s (EI) Spring 2023 Programs. An email was sent to all Gettysburg students explaining what the programs will entail and the benefits of enrolling in one.
“Eisenhower Institute programs are designed to provide an immersive, hands-on experience in public policy and develop practical skills to prepare young adults for a lifetime of public, private, and non-profit service,” the email reported.
EI requires students to attend an orientation prior to applying. Students who attended an orientation session in September do not need to attend another one. Students who have not yet done so can choose one session to attend, either the one hosted on Nov. 29 at 4 p.m. or the session on Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. They will both be located in CUB 260.
In the spring, EI will provide four different programs students can choose from: Strategy and Leadership in Transformational Times, Inside Civil Rights, Emerging Threats in National Security, and Women and Leadership.
Strategy and Leadership in Transformational Times (SALTT) will take place over the spring semester and has students “Develop a national strategy to address critical long-term issues.” Those who apply for this program must have also completed Foundations of Strategy and Leadership during their time at Gettysburg College.
This year, students chosen for the program will recreate President Eisenhower’s Solarium project, which will involve analyzing the ever-evolving geopolitical challenges America faces. Susan Eisenhower guides students in their work and provides mentorship throughout SALLT.
Inside Civil Rights is a study trip from May 7–12, 2023. Students analyze President Eisenhowers’ decision to integrate Central High School in Little Rock and how “other civil rights moments impact urban renewal and social justice today.” Destinations on the trip include Memphis, Tennessee, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Jackson, Mississippi.
Emerging Threats in National Security is a semester-long program that has students “Examine non-traditional threats to national security, focusing on the impact of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions.” It entails bi-monthly sessions that will focus on different national security issues and their application to U.S. policy and a trip to Washington D.C.
The program is led by Annie Morgan ’06, a Gettysburg College alumna, political science adjunct professor, and current Department of Defense attorney.
The Women and Leadership program also occurs during the spring semester. The program allows participants to “Explore intersections between gender and leadership in government, business, law, science, and more.”
It is led by Associate Professor of Public Policy Anne Douds, a former trial lawyer and policy consultant. She continues to consult, working on court evaluations, veterans’ needs assessments, victim advocacy program evaluations, and social justice advocacy programs.
The EI email also shared information about their Eisenhower Leadership Conference, which will occur on Jan. 14. The conference will include speeches from EI’s Susan Eisenhower and Colby Jenkins, a former Special Forces Green Beret, U.S. Senate aide, and Pentagon liaison. In addition, there will be an interactive workshop led by the Garthwait Leadership Center.
There is no application for the conference, but it is limited to 50 participants and students must return early to campus on Jan. 13.
The application for all EI programs closes on Dec. 4. Students who wish to learn more can do so here.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that one of the information sessions was held on Nov. 19. This is incorrect. It has been updated with the correct dates and times. (-K. Oglesby)
