The President’s Emerging Leaders Program (PELP)

Program Overview

Students who are admitted into the President’s Emerging Leaders Program (PELP) have, by the time of their application to Austin Peay State University, already demonstrated significant achievements as leaders and scholars. Once they arrive on campus, PELP students continue to develop their leadership skills in a rigorous academic environment.

PELP students prepare for leadership roles related to their academic interests and career aspirations through a combination of leadership courses, community and service learning projects, mentoring experience, academic presentations, and other activities. PELP students receive a yearly scholarship of $3,000 that is renewable over a four-year period provided that specific program requirements are met.

The President’s Emerging Leaders Program is housed in the Honors Commons Building, a space it shares with Austin Peay’s Honors Program. The PELP director’s office is located there in Room 102D.

Eligibility Requirements

High-school students are accepted into the program based on the following qualifications:

Minimum high school GPA of 3.50;
Minimum ACT of 26;
Evidence of participation in high-school and community activities;
Evidence of leadership and service throughout the high-school experience; and,
Three references, including at least one from a high-school official (principal, counselor, teacher) and one from a person in the community who is familiar with the applicant’s service and leadership activities.

Requirements for Students Accepted into PELP

A. Students are required to take the following courses during their four years in the President’s Emerging Leaders Program:

Fall of Year 1

APSU 1000 - Liberal Arts in University Life 1 PELP-only section taught by university president.
SOC 2010 - Introduction to Sociology 3 PELP-only section.

Spring of Year 1

LDEV 3001 - Leadership Issues I 1

Fall of Year 2

LDEV 2000 - Ethics in Leadership 1 PELP-only section taught by university provost.

Spring of Year 2

LDSP 4511 - Vital Topics in Leadership 1

Fall of Year 3

Spring of Year 3

LDEV 3200 - Community, Leadership, Strategy and Social Change 3

Fall of Year 4

LDSP 4513 - Vital Topics in Leadership 1

B. Students must be enrolled in at least 12 semester hours each semester and must maintain a 3.25 overall (institutional) GPA.

C. Upper-class PELP students must serve as mentors to entering PELP freshmen.

D. During students’ time in PELP, freshmen must complete 30 hours of community service, sophomores 30 hours of community service, and juniors 30 hours of community service in service activities and projects approved by the director.

E. During the academic year, PELP students are required to attend program meetings with community or campus leaders as announced by the PELP director.

Additional Information:

PELP Students are encouraged to participate in one or more study-abroad experiences. Students enrolled in LDEV 3200 will have a unique opportunity to complete a service-learning project in a foreign country during spring break.

PELP Students are strongly encouraged to apply to the Honors Program at Austin Peay State University.

For more information about the President’s Emerging Leaders Program, contact the director, Dr. Matthew Kenney, by e-mail at kenneym@apsu.edu or by telephone at 931.221.6398. The PELP website is http://www.apsu.edu/pelp.