About Us

Leadership and Public Service (LAPS) is for students who can imagine being part of the solution to pressing and critical problems facing the world, or in their countries or communities, through public service.

What is public service? It can be running for office, being an elected official, working for the government at any level, advocating for policy solutions, lobbying for constituent needs, or belonging to one of the many institutions world-wide that promote democracy, peace, and justice. It can mean working in embassies, think tanks, foundations, civil society organizations, or serving on a school committee or city council. Public service means being involved, caring about others, understanding the issues, seeing the big picture, listening to all sides, negotiating, learning and growing, sacrifice, staying in the game, and not giving up.