Richmond high school and college students can gain political skills and knowledge during the upcoming Summer Academy for Policy Leadership and Public Service. The academy runs from Sunday, June 23, to Saturday, July 6, and is organized by Policy Pathways Inc. The program will be hosted in partnership with the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.

During the academy, students will learn a range of topics and skills courtesy of policy experts, professors and critical figures in the policy process, including how to form and analyze policies, economics, research methods, critical thinking, advocacy and effective writing.

Participants will then apply what they’ve learned and further hone their knowledge with a capstone project, where they will collaborate with other students in the program on tackling real world, relevant policy issues and topics.

“I am most looking forward to watching how a new cohort of students will absorb the information they receive and translate that knowledge into action after completing the course,” Policy Pathways President and CEO D. Pulane Lucas stated. This year’s academy will be offered in person for the first time. The program began with virtual classes in 2020, Dr. Lucas noted.

Applicants must be between 15 and 25 years old, and a rising high school sophomore, junior or senior, high school graduate, or community and undergraduate college student.

To apply online, visit policypathways.org/apply-now. Applications should include a statement that features the student’s interests, academic work and community involvement. Transcripts should also be included to verify academic enrollment, though standardized test scores are not required.

Tuition is $2,000 for lunch, snacks and course materials.

There is a $70 administrative fee with the application. Full and partial scholarships are available for the program, with Richmond

Public Schools students able to get full scholarships.

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, May 15. Late applications will be accepted on a space-available basis. More information can be found by contacting Policy Pathways at (804) 814-7197, 1-866-465-6671 or on policypathways.org