The sixth incoming class at the LBJ Women's Campaign School includes change-makers from across the country representing a wide range of political parties and ideologies, with plans to run for school board, city council, judge, state legislature, and Congress.
The LBJ Women's Campaign School, part of The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin, proudly welcomes 65 exceptional leaders into its sixth cohort. The campaign school's training provides comprehensive support for change-makers seeking to run for office or lead political campaigns, regardless of party affiliation.
This year's cohort will engage in an intensive, seven-month hybrid curriculum led by top political experts from across the country. Training topics include media relations, public speaking, fundraising, and grassroots organizing, equipping participants with the critical skills needed for success in the political arena. The program kicks off in Austin from May 21 to May 23, followed by monthly virtual sessions and mentorship through November.
The LBJWCS admissions committee selected 65 participants through a rigorous process that evaluated each participant's commitment to their communities, their demonstrated passion for civic engagement, and their potential to drive meaningful change. These leaders include deeply engaged and innovative public servants, policy experts, teachers, parents, entrepreneurs, military veterans, and business leaders with plans to run for school board, city council, district judge, state legislature, and Congress.
The class of 2025 is composed of men and women of all ages, from various professional backgrounds, and from across the political spectrum. In addition to 49 leaders from Texas, LBJWCS will welcome participants from Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, Washington state, and Washington, DC. They identify as Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, and are eager to learn in a politically diverse classroom. LBJWCS encourages participants to work across political differences in their future capacity as elected officials, campaign staff, and policy advocates. They will find role models in their trainers, speakers, and mentors at LBJWCS, who also represent a wide range of political thought.
"After a divisive election year, bringing people together across party lines is more important than ever," said Amy Kroll, founder and executive director of the LBJ Women's Campaign School. "We're proud to welcome a new cohort of leaders ready to build a political arena where women thrive."
The LBJ Women's Campaign School remains dedicated to its mission to support women's civic leadership across all levels of government. Since opening its doors in 2020, the school has trained over 300 people, including 45 women who have run for office and 97 people who have been hired as senior campaign or political staff or been appointed to government boards. Seventy percent of all alumni have taken on new political or civic roles in their communities.
This year, LBJWCS received a record number of competitive requests for financial aid, awarding 98% of financial aid applicants based on need and merit. The Center for Women in Government (CWG), a program of the Jane Nelson Institute for Women's Leadership at Texas Woman's University, contributed 49 full-tuition grants. By funding over 200 participants since 2020, CWG has been instrumental in addressing the economic challenges that hinder women's political participation.
"Through grants from the Jane Nelson Institute for Women's Leadership, we're able to provide this education to motivated leaders wanting to strengthen their communities. We're proud to mark six years of collaboration with the LBJ Women's Campaign School in our joint mission to achieve a more representative democracy," said Marlene Phillips, director for the Center for Women in Government.
We are grateful for the generous support that makes our program more accessible and strengthens representative leadership. Chevron funded five full-tuition scholarships, Walmart funded two, and Southwest Airlines is providing free round-trip flights to Austin for the Class of 2025. We also receive vital support from Arnold Ventures and the Texas Business and Professional Women’s Foundation and proudly serve as the Texas state partner of the Women's Public Leadership Network.
The LBJ Women's Campaign School is part of the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.
Below are the change-makers in the sixth cohort:
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Learn more at the LBJ Women's Campaign School website.
ABOUT THE LBJ WOMEN'S CAMPAIGN SCHOOL
The LBJ Women's Campaign School is a nonpartisan, issue-neutral program that supports women in politics by training leaders who want to run for elected office or become campaign managers, regardless of political party.
ABOUT THE LBJ SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
The LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin is one of the nation's premier public policy schools, uniquely positioned within a top-tier research university, the State Capitol and one of America's most innovative cities. Founded in 1970 by President Lyndon B. Johnson to expand access to the halls of power, the school offers a range of nationally ranked degree programs that prepare students to take on society's most pressing challenges. The LBJ School also provides career development and leadership training to emerging policy leaders and operates numerous research centers that develop solutions to complex local, state, national and global challenges.