Invitation: Public Leadership Certificate with Full Scholarships for Public Servants
Alex Cornell du Houx
Dear Kristin,
On behalf of Elected Officials to Protect America and the University of San Francisco, we invite you to apply to our Public Leadership Certificate Program. We are offering a limited number of full scholarships for public servants.
The Certificate Program is designed to strengthen the ability of lawmakers, veterans, civic and corporate leaders to effectively create, communicate, and implement policy by gaining a deeper understanding of:
- Emotional Intelligence and Leadership
- Body Language and Negotiation
- Value-based Communications
- Public Speaking
- Empathy-based Fundraising
- Disinformation and Cybersecurity
- Additional modules listed below
Participants will also compete for a $7,500 Policy Prize to support the innovation and implementation of a solution you believe is important to your community.
Watch this 2-minute video to hear from past participants and learn more about the program.
This program brings participants together in Washington, DC for 2.5 days of experiential learning, followed by online instruction for 1.5-2 hours each week for six weeks.
The August 2026 cohort will be at USF’s Washington, DC Campus. The program starts at 5 pm on Friday, August 7, with a reception and dinner. Classes begin at 10 am Eastern on Saturday, August 8. We will finish around 4 pm on Sunday, August 9.
You will graduate with a Certificate in Public Leadership from the University of San Francisco (USF).
EOPA has a limited number of full scholarships covering $2,500 in tuition plus travel and lodging. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come basis, so we encourage you to apply before our first round deadline of April 15.
The short application is at: https://protectingamerica.net/leadership-certificate-application-form/
More information on the curriculum is below. Please let me know if you have any questions at amcorne...@usfca.edu or 207-319-4511.
We are excited for the next cohort and look forward to your application.
All the best,
Alex
––
Alex Cornell du Houx
President and Co-Founder,
Elected Officials to Protect America
Marine Veteran
Former Maine Legislator
USF Public Leadership Adj. Professor
amcorne...@usfca.edu
207.319.4511
Public Leadership Certificate Modules
Emotional Intelligence and Public Leadership with Fmr. Rep. Alex Cornell du Houx, Marine veteran, and Air Force veteran Christian Brock: Harvard Business Review compiled over 300 studies and found Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the single most important factor in career and personal success. The course will increase students' ability to empathize with others, to listen accurately, to communicate authentically, and create a legislative/campaign/office environment that maximizes team performance and creativity. Part one focuses on individual skill sets and recognizing patterns of behavior. Part two focuses on using EI to build connections and productivity in their staff and caucus. Part three focuses on bringing EI skill sets into their team's goals and mission.
Value-Based Communications with Fmr. Rep. Alex Cornell du Houx, Marine veteran: In a media environment where we receive five times more information every day than just five years ago, distinguishing oneself from the crowd to make a lasting impact is essential to an organization or campaign. This module will focus on how we communicate through framing, targeting, and implementing a media campaign that connects through stories that create emotion to create action. Through experiential learning, students will create their narrative and apply it to real-life events.
Body Language and Negotiation with forensic psychologist and former Ukrainian Lt. Col. Iryna Andrukh, recipient of four presidential medals from two presidents: Body language is a vital part of negotiating and campaigning that is often overlooked but can account for over 55 percent of the message we are conveying. Students will learn the latest non-verbal communication tactics to enhance their communication and leadership skills.
Public Speaking and Marketing Your Message with Rep. Paul Evans, Air Force veteran: Students will implement the lessons introduced in Value-Based Communications to create a communications strategy that utilizes a range of media such as digital and broadcast advertising, op-eds, social media, and film.
Empathy-Based Fundraising with Navy veteran and fundraising consultant Matt Gill: This module introduces students to the elements of fundraising for nonprofits, advocacy programs, and political campaigns. We then expand to advanced fundraising tactics to connect through values and build empathy with the funder. Students will understand what makes a compelling fundraising ask and evaluate the most effective fundraising tactics.
Policy Solutions with One Earth and Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation founder Justin Winters: Students will explore science-based policy strategies to accelerate the transition to clean energy, protect and restore critical lands and oceans, and advance regenerative agriculture. Drawing on research-backed models, this module highlights scalable solutions that strengthen economic resilience, energy security, and community stability.
Energy Security and Military 101 with former two-star general and Afghan special forces, Naweed Kawusi: Students will be introduced to the mythology, organization, and culture of the military so candidates can connect and work productively with a segment of the population that Pew and Gallup found are the most credible messengers after doctors and nurses.
Disinformation and Cybersecurity with Professor Darren Linvill: Nearly 70 percent of American adults turn to social media for the bulk of their news, consuming content in their feeds or searching for specific or trending topics. This makes the integrity of social media information critical. Students will learn how Russia and China use digital media to manipulate populations and lawmakers.
Elected Officials to Protect America
20 Main Street
Rockland, ME 04841
United States
