The Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College is an intensive eight day residential program for outstanding New Hampshire high school students. The CLA offers concentrated study in state and local politics for high school students (including graduating seniors) from across the state.

The learning environment is experiential, collaborative and rigorous. Dr. Peter Josephson, an acclaimed scholar on John Locke and a professor of political theory at Saint Anselm College, guides the learning along with other Saint Anselm College faculty and staff. Students engage in substantive debate about the policy challenges facing the state and interact with New Hampshire's current public, private, and non-profit sector leaders. In 2008, more than 30 guest speakers, including Governor John Lynch and Secretary of State William Gardner, shared their experiences and insights with the students.

This unique program features a New Hampshire focused, multidisciplinary curriculum with four goals: to educate future leaders of New Hampshire about their responsibilities as citizens in this state; to engage students in understanding how New Hampshire government functions and the most important public issues facing New Hampshire; to connect young citizens from different backgrounds with one another and with current leaders in New Hampshire; and to empower young citizens to make positive, lasting contributions to the civic and political health of New Hampshire.

Civic Leadership Academy Update: It is with great regret that we must announce the cancellation of this summer’s Civic Leadership Academy at Saint Anselm College. Like several other summer programs in New Hampshire, in the current economy we find ourselves significantly under-enrolled. We very much appreciate your interest in our program. The staff at the NHIOP is already anticipating that we will open the Academy again in the summer of 2010. We sincerely hope you will consider joining us next year.