Veterans Program for Politics and Civic Engagement

Training program for veterans and military-connected considering careers in politics.

Applications are currently closed.
Next applications will open in spring 2026!

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.

Program Structure

Veterans for Public Office (VPO) is a nonpartisan civic leadership program for veterans and military spouses interested in public service, politics, or campaign leadership at the local, state, or national level. The program combines academic insight with practical guidance to support participants at different stages of readiness through two connected tracks: Ideation and Campaign Planning.

The Ideation track is designed for individuals exploring a potential path in politics or civic leadership. Participants gain a foundational understanding of the political landscape while examining their motivations, values, and opportunities for impact—without committing to a campaign.

The Campaign Planning track supports participants who are actively preparing to run for office or lead a civic initiative. This track focuses on the practical elements of campaign development, including strategy, messaging, fundraising, compliance, and team building, culminating in a clear campaign or civic action plan.

Together, these tracks provide a flexible pathway from exploration to action, connecting participants to a national community of veteran and military-affiliated civic leaders.

Program Overview

Veterans for Public Office (VPO) is a nonpartisan civic leadership program for veterans and military spouses interested in public service, politics, or campaign leadership at the local, state, or national level. The program combines academic insight with practical guidance to support participants at different stages of readiness through two connected tracks: Ideation and Campaign Planning.

The Ideation track is designed for individuals exploring a potential path in politics or civic leadership. Participants gain a foundational understanding of the political landscape while examining their motivations, values, and opportunities for impact—without committing to a campaign.

The Campaign Planning track supports participants who are actively preparing to run for office or lead a civic initiative. This track focuses on the practical elements of campaign development, including strategy, messaging, fundraising, compliance, and team building, culminating in a clear campaign or civic action plan.

Together, these tracks provide a flexible pathway from exploration to action, connecting participants to a national community of veteran and military-affiliated civic leaders.

Program Goals

  • Engage more fully in democratic life through informed, ethical, and sustained civic engagement.
  • Understand and access political and civic pathways by demystifying how campaigns, public service, and civic leadership work.
  • Make informed choices about civic and political engagement, including whether, when, and how to pursue public service—without pressure to run for office.
  • Develop practical skills to move from ideas to action, including strategic thinking, ethical decision-making, communication, and campaign fundamentals.
  • Progress from exploration to preparation with support, through a clear pathway from Ideation to Campaign Planning for those who choose to continue.

Program Structure

Ideation Track

12 hours of online learning, on demand course work (3 hours) and live online learning (9 hours)

Engage with Syracuse University faculty, IVMF staff, politicians, and campaign experts via online learning and web conferencing platforms.

Campaign Planning Track

10 weekly live online sessions & 2.5-day on-campus immersion session

Engage with leaders in the U.S. political system, university faculty, and campaign experts at Syracuse University to gain the knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to successfully run a campaign for public office.

Program Stats

Program Demographics

Category Percentage
Race/Ethnicity
Minority / Two or More Races/Ethnicities 44%
All Others 56%
Gender
Male 72%
Female 26%
Other 2%
Party Affiliation
Democrat 43%
Republican 36%
Independent/Other 21%

Level of Office 2025 Participants Plan to Run For

Level of office 2025 participants plan to run for
Level of Office Percentage
Federal

12%
State

18%
County

29%
City

24%
Other

18%

*Other includes School Board, Tax Collector, etc.

61%

of participants are currently running or plan to run
in the next election cycle

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Will the online learning be live instruction?
    1. Ideation Track is 12 hours of online learning split between on-demand learning (3 hours) and live online instruction (9 hours).
    2. The Campaign Planning (CP) Track is primarily live online instruction, supplemented by asynchronous content. It also includes 2.5 days of immersive training in Syracuse, NY.

  • What is the cost of the program?

    Expenses related to Campaign Planning program participation (e.g., attendance, lodging, and meals) are covered through the generous support of JPMorgan Chase & Co, Syracuse University, and other sponsors. Participants are responsible for travel costs to Syracuse, NY for the 3-day immersive training.

  • Do I earn credit through Syracuse University and receive a certificate or diploma on completion?

    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.

  • What is the application deadline?

    Except for the first section of Ideation Track, all applications are due May 30, 2026. Section 1 of Ideation deadline is April 17, 2026.

    We encourage applicants to apply early for the best chance of admission and section availability.

  • How many participants are expected to be admitted to the program?

    Each section will have between 25-30 participants.

  • How have the alumni benefited from the program?

    Approximately 400 participants have completed the program since its inception.The vast majority of the VPO 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 more than 20 have been elected or reelected.

  • What happens after the program?

    Program alumni receive support from IVMF Alumni Services, Maxwell School Alumni networks, and central University alumni services. All program graduates are part of a private LinkedIn group and are equipped with a campaign toolkit outlining the many important facets of getting a campaign off the ground and successfully running a campaign.