Training program for veterans and military-connected considering careers in politics.
The program is offered with the initial support of JPMorgan Chase & Co. through a collaborative effort by the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Our program is tailored to meet the specific needs of veterans and military-connected individuals who have an interest in pursuing careers in politics. Instructors will include esteemed faculty from the Maxwell School — the nation’s #1-ranked graduate school in public affairs, veterans with first-hand experience running for office, and experts in the field.
The program engages participants in different stages of their political journey in campaign topics such as fundraising, public communications, social media, identifying mentors, building your platform, and leveraging resources available to veterans, among others.
What You Will Experience
The ultimate deliverable for this program is a refined campaign plan for each program participant.
“This program is a world-class, front seat, crash course for veterans interested in public engagement and public office. It was a non-stop, engaging Ted-Talk level content education from the best of the best in this area narrated by NPR-level commentating (Grant Reeher as the lead) whose purpose was to set up veterans for success to help drive this country forward and “be in the arena” when policy is on the table. It was totally bi-partisan and participants were really engaging and supportive of each other. I would highly recommend this course to any veteran looking to become more active and engaged in policy.”
Molly Mae Potter, 2020 VPPCE Participant, Client Solutions Group, Security Governance and Oversight, Dell Technologies, and U.S. Air Force Veteran.
The program offers two sections: the practice section and the ideation section. You will be assigned to the section which we believe better serves your goals and interests as stated in your application. Participants who succeed in the ideation section will be offered an opportunity to join a practice section within a year or two.
The ideation section is designed for veterans and individuals with military connections who have demonstrated a strong interest in politics but are in the early stage of exploring a political career. The goal is to help participants develop a better understanding of their motivations and commitment to public office as well as what offices might interest and fit them.
The Ideation section provides 12 hours of asynchronous and synchronous instruction and interaction. The synchronous sessions will be delivered online at 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15; Wednesday, July 16; and Thursday, July 17, 2025 . Participants will be provided asynchronous content before July 5, 2025. Those who complete the ideation section successfully and are interested in continuing to pursue a political career might be assigned to the curriculum planning section either in the same year or the next year.
Ten weekly online sessions will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesdays from Sept. 10 to Nov. 19, except on Oct. 22 when the immersion sessions will be held. Each participant must also attend a public speaking workshop at 6p.m. – 7:30 p.m. either on Monday, Oct. 13 or Tuesday, Oct. 28.
On-campus immersion sessions will be held from 5 p.m., Wednesday, October 22 to 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24. Participants are highly encouraged to attend the program in person. Housing and meals will be provided by the program. However, participants should also feel free to choose to attend the program virtually.
The participant campaign plan presentations and program summary will take place online from 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13 and Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
A selective, rigorous and intense educational initiative, our program represents a unique opportunity for those men and women who have sacrificed for our freedom, or their family members, to take an important step toward continuing their commitment to public service through elected office. The program offers intensive training for veteran and military family members with career interests in politics.
All veterans and their family members are eligible to apply. Successful candidates must be able to demonstrate a strong potential for a future career in politics and are interested in running for public office or getting involved in political campaigns.
A completed application package will include the following:
Selection will be based on the ‘whole-person’ concept, with a particular focus on an assessment of each candidate’s potential to excel not only in the program, but also upon graduation, in his or her chosen area of leadership in public office. References and interviews may be requested of finalists. We strive to select a cohort for the program that reflects diverse experiences and perspectives.
There are two (2) required uploads in the online application portal necessary for successful completion of this application. While you will be able to to save your resume and application, please make sure that you are prepared to submit all materials shortly after beginning your application. You will only have 30 days to access your in-progress application after the first time you save your application.
Together, we engage participants in subjects such as the mechanics and management of campaigning, fundraising strategies, building campaign platform (policies and institutional reform), messaging, public communications, identifying mentors and leveraging resources available to veterans, among others.
Critical in all of this is providing participants the opportunity for self-assessment and reflection. What knowledge, experience and personal character do you bring to your candidacy? What are your areas for growth? What political offices are a good fit for you?
Instruction will be offered in a hybrid format that consists of asynchronous (on-demand) and synchronous (live video conference) materials available through a web-based learning management platform.
Expenses related to program participation (e.g., attendance, lodging, and meals) will be covered by the program, through the generous support of JP Morgan Chase & Co, Syracuse University, and other sponsors. Candidates admitted to the program will assume costs associated with transportation to Syracuse, NY if intensive training takes place on SU main campus.
There will be a certificate providing documentation of attendance, and the opportunity to secure a non-credit transcript detailing the course completed by Syracuse University.
May 30, 2025.
Finalists for both sections will be notified via email by June 13, 2025.
A class of 25 to 30 will be admitted into each of the two sections in 2025.
More than 200 participants have completed the program since its inception. The vast majority of the VPPCE alums have been more actively engaged politically and civically; many of them have run for office, or are running and organizing campaigns at the federal, state and local levels; and quite a few have succeeded in their bids for state and local offices.
