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President's Leadership Class

Setting the Standard in Leadership

SWOSU offers a select few students the experience of developing their leadership skills through a four-semester program – The President's Leadership Class (PLC).

Each year, approximately 15 of SWOSU’s top entering freshmen are chosen to be President’s Leadership Class Scholars. Each scholar is awarded a $2,000 scholarship and receives four semesters of leadership training that fosters both intellectual and personal growth. The President’s Leadership Class develops leaders who hold a profound understanding of leadership and its responsible application within organizations, communities and their states.

  • Dan Boren poses for a pic with PLC students after serving as the keynote speaker at the annual PLC Banquet.
  • Dr. Joe Anna Hibler discusses professional etiquette with the PLC students.
  • PLC works in cooperation with the SWOSU Alumni Association to help feed the participants in SWOSU’s Annual Massed Bands event during the pre-game festivities at the homecoming football game.
  • PLC posing for a group pic during SWOSU Homecoming activities.
  • PLC students in front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
  • PLC students get involved locally by volunteering at the Weatherford Food and Resource Center.
  • PLC helps weekly to stuff and distribute food for the Backpacks for Kids program at Weatherford’s Burcham Elementary.

The student scholars participate in:

  • Weekly lectures given by SWOSU staff, and business and community leaders
  • Discussion groups
  • Group projects
  • Community service
  • Internships

Eligibility Criteria (must meet one of the three)

  • ACT Score of 24 or Higher
  • Top 40% of Graduating Class
  • Exceptional Activities, Athletics, or Community Service

Scholarships and Benefits

  • $1,000 Scholarship/Stipend for the Freshman and Sophomore years.
  • Freshman year Residence Hall scholarship valued for the rate of a “regular” double-occupancy room.  This scholarship will cover the “regular” room cost per semester for the Freshman year.  It can be applied towards the cost of a private room or towards a room in Black Kettle Hall, but will only cover the regular portion of the room rate.
  • Early enrollment opportunity.
  • Opportunity to meet and learn from business and political leaders from the area, state and nation.

Class Makeup

  • Approximately 15 freshman students are selected each year.
  • Applications will be accepted September 1 through February 1 of the applicants senior year. (PLC Application)
  • Selection Committee and SWOSU President makes final selections after personal interviews.
  • Class selected by 1st week of May.

Class Format

  • Monthly meetings with SWOSU President.
  • Weekly class meetings that will constitute one credit hour per semester.
  • Trip to Oklahoma State Capitol during the Spring Semester for Legislative Session.
  • Dinner with donors at Governor's Mansion, during the Fall Semester.

Goals

  • Expand existing leadership pool in student body:This helps develop students to assume leadership roles in student groups and throughout the campus.
  • Demonstrate that freshman students are important.
  • Students gain better sense of elements of leadership and different leadership styles.
  • Outreach program can help SWOSU recruitment of high school scholars.
  • Students serve as ambassadors of SWOSU.
  • Develop future business, community, and political leaders for Western Oklahoma.
  • Alumnus of PLC will become a great support group for future university and alumni projects.