The Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) is the only national organization [nonpartisan 501(c)(3)] with the sole focus of preparing college women and marginalized gender groups for leadership in the public policy arena.
PLEN’s mission is to empower, educate, and engage women and marginalized gender groups in public policy to promote diverse, inclusive leadership in policy making.
PLEN was created to educate women for public leadership because they were, and are still, disadvantaged as a result of their gender. By expanding our mission to include people of all marginalized genders, we continue our work to break down gender-based barriers and diversify the field of public policy, which is traditionally dominated by cis-men.
Interested in PLEN?
- Schedule an appointment with Jessica Estes who coordinates Augustana College’s relationship with PLEN
- Funding for PLEN is available through Career Development & Vocation through Augie Choice and alumni support
- Learn more form PLEN website
- View the PLEN blog
PLEN-tiful opportunities thanks to ’79 grad
Thanks to Shelby Olson ’79, five students got the chance to be Augustana’s first attendees at a national three-day seminar, “Preparing Women to Lead.” It was an eye-opener for all, and for one student, at least, a career-changer.