Policy Pathways and VCU Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs co-sponsor Summer Academy

Training Future Leaders in Policy Leadership and Public Service

RICHMOND, VA, UNITED STATES, June 20, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- “At the Wilder School, we believe public service matters. We also believe that young people have an important role to play in shaping stronger, more equitable communities and a more thoughtful future. The decision to spend part of their summer exploring public policy, leadership, and civic engagement reflects a curiosity and commitment that we deeply value.”
— Susan T. Gooden, Dean of the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs


Policy Pathways and the Virginia Commonwealth University L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs will kick off the 2026 session of the Summer Academy for Policy Leadership and Public Service on Monday, June 22, 2026. The summer program runs through Friday, July 3, 2026, and offers both online and in person enrollment options.

Dr. D. Pulane Lucas, President and CEO of Policy Pathways, shared: “We are delighted to welcome a dynamic group of bright, talented, determined, and goal-oriented young leaders from across the country to the 2026 session of the Summer Academy for Policy Leadership and Public Service. Each Summer Academy participant has demonstrated a commitment to gaining knowledge, building confidence, and bolstering the courage to give voice to the issues that matter most to them and their communities. They give us hope for a more humane, just, and equitable society. We are grateful for their presence in the 2026 Summer Academy cohort!”

Opening Day events will be held Monday, June 22, 2026, at Virginia Commonwealth University, Hibbs Lecture Hall, Room 403 (900 Park Ave, Richmond, VA 23284) or online at https://tinyurl.com/CERXH3XA (Meeting ID#: 897 2971 3310 Passcode: SA#2026). The welcome ceremony starts at 1:00 PM with greetings from James W. Dyke, Jr., Sr. Advisor, State Government Relations, McGuireWoods Consulting LLC, and former Commonwealth of Virginia Secretary of Education under former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder. The keynote speech will be delivered by Dr. Ahkinyala Cobb-Abdullah, Director of Academic and Outreach Programs and an Associate Professor of Ecology at Virginia State University. The Public Policy Forum entitled: “Economic/Regional Development and Energy Policy in Virginia,” will be held from 2 – 4 p.m. The Hon. Destiny L Bolling, Virginia House of Delegates Representative (District 80), and Member of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation, will serve as the Forum's Moderator. Three distinguished panelists will join her:

• Jonathan Ward, Government Affairs Representative, Newport News Shipbuilding
• Morgan Whayland, Director of Governmental and Public Affairs, Virginia Natural Gas
• Jake Wiseman, Economic Development Market Specialist, Dominion Energy

These opening day events are free and open to the public.

Twenty of the nation’s top high school and college students and recent college graduates will engage with and learn from a diverse group of distinguished academicians, decision makers, advocates, and speakers who will teach on a variety of public policy and administration subjects throughout the two-week academy. Program participants will have an opportunity to enhance their research, problem solving, leadership, analytical and communications skills through engagement with their peers and faculty mentors, examining various subject matter areas including but limited to, economics, policy formulation, public administration, advocacy, law, statistics, research methodology and international affairs.

The students participating in the Academy will also study a broad array of significant public policy issues that affect local communities, national communities and global communities including: energy policy, public health, criminal justice reform, environmental policy, housing and education policy, social justice, immigration, and economic development.

Capstone projects for Summer 2026 will focus on:

1. Policy Implications of Human Trafficking Awareness Education in Virginia High Schools. The Office of Henrico County’s Commonwealth’s Attorney: The Hon. Shannon Taylor. Capstone Site Lead: Corey M. Nicholson, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney

2. Bridging the Gap: Barriers to Study Abroad Participation for First-Generation College Students. Policy Pathways, Inc. Capstone Site Lead: Verlisha Brandon, Capstone Project Coordinator

3. The Impact of Agriculture on Rural Communities in Ghana. Divine Kids Academy, Jukwa, Ghana. Capstone Site Lead: Kwame Appiah-Kubi, Founder

4. Uncounted National: Building the Infrastructure for Civilian-Led Reporting on In-Custody Deaths. Policy Pathways, Inc. Capstone Site Lead: Logan Sowers, Uncounted National, Coordinator, Administrative Operations

Capstone projects allow program participants to collaborate in teams to explore real-world issues. Capstone site representatives are experts in their fields who help program participants focus on relevant issues and think critically and creatively to identify solutions to the public problems and policies that impact daily life.

Participants will present their Capstone projects during the Summer Academy Closing Ceremony on Friday, July 3, 2026. The Capstone showcase will give participants the opportunity to speak publicly about policy issues and highlight their research, policy analysis, and recommendations for addressing complex public policy challenges.

Generous contributions from the Virginia Natural Gas Foundation, Richmond Public Schools (RPS), the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation (RMHF), and Safety Bound/Ending Jail Deaths Fellowship Program, as well as charitable donations from individual donors, support the work of the Summer Academy for Policy Leadership and Public Service.

For more information about Policy Pathways and the Summer Academy for Policy Leadership and Public Service, please visit: policypathways.org or contact us at (866) 465-6671 or info@policypathways.org.

Janah Cartwright, Communications Specialist
Policy Pathways, Inc.
+1 866-465-6671
info@policypathways.org

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