Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership Programs
Stored: Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership Programs
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Stennis Center for Public Service |
| Top Organization | Department of State |
| Creation Legislation | John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development Act of 1988 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | Stennis Center Leadership Programs train congressional staff and students to boost public service, bipartisanship, and civic engagement in America. |
| Program Start | 1988 |
| Initial Funding | Congressional appropriations |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership Programs is a Department of State-supported initiative overseen by the Stennis Center for Public Service that delivers a portfolio of bipartisan leadership development programs across the United States, engaging over 57,000 students, 450 congressional staff fellows, and numerous public officials since its establishment in 1988, enhancing civic literacy and public service commitment as of 2025.
Based in Starkville, Mississippi, with a Capitol Hill office, it includes flagship efforts like the Stennis Congressional Staff Fellows Program, Congress to Campus (with the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress), and the Emerging Congressional Staff Leaders Program, hosting 50-60 annual campus visits, retreats, and symposia to bridge government sectors and inspire future leaders.
Goals
- Enhance leadership capacity among congressional staff, students, and public servants.[1]
- Promote bipartisanship and civic responsibility through targeted training and dialogue.
- Inspire careers in public service by connecting participants with experienced leaders.
Organization
The Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership Programs are sponsored by the Stennis Center for Public Service, a legislative branch agency under the Department of State’s public diplomacy framework, headquartered at One Research Boulevard, Starkville, Mississippi, with a Washington, D.C., office.[2] Funding comes from Congressional appropriations, with FY 2025 estimates at $2-3 million, supplemented by partnerships like the Stennis Center for Public Service Foundation and host institution donations, managed by a staff of 10-15 and a Board of Trustees appointed by congressional leadership.
The leader at the Department of State level is the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, currently Lee Satterfield (as of February 19, 2025), with the Stennis Center’s Executive Director, Fred Slabach, overseeing operations.
Partners
- U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress
- Stennis Center for Public Service Foundation
- Mississippi State University
History
The Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership Programs were established under the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development Act of 1988, signed into law on October 1, 1988, as Public Law 100-458, honoring Senator John C. Stennis’s 41-year legacy by promoting public service leadership.[3] It began with congressional staff training, expanding with Congress to Campus in 1976 (formalized later), the Stennis Fellows Program in 1994, and virtual adaptations in 2020, reaching over 900 campuses and influencing policy through 2025 initiatives like the State Executive Development Institute.
Funding
Initial funding in 1988 came from Congressional appropriations, with a $7.5 million trust fund established under Public Law 100-458.[4] Funding began in 1988 and continues, with FY 2025 estimates at $2-3 million, supporting 50-60 annual events, staff, and outreach like the Public Service Review, supplemented by grants (e.g., Park Foundation) and host donations ($3,000 per Congress to Campus visit), with no end date as appropriations sustain operations.
Implementation
The program is implemented through diverse leadership initiatives, including the Stennis Fellows Program (biennial congressional staff retreats), Congress to Campus (50-60 annual bipartisan visits), and student programs like Scholars Days, engaging thousands via in-person and virtual formats.[5] It operates year-round with no end date, adapting in 2025 to digital civics and military-civilian dialogues, managed from Starkville and D.C. offices.
Related
- Stennis Congressional Staff Fellows Program
- Congress to Campus
- Emerging Congressional Staff Leaders Program
External links
- https://stennis.gov/
- https://www.usafmc.org/congress-to-campus - Congress to Campus Partner
- https://www.loc.gov/item/lcwaN0003469/ - Library of Congress Archive
- wikipedia:John C. Stennis
Social media
References
- ↑ "Stennis Center Mission," Stennis Center for Public Service, https://stennis.gov/about, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Stennis Center Organization," Stennis Center for Public Service, https://stennis.gov/about, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Stennis Center History," Stennis Center for Public Service, https://stennis.gov/about/history, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Stennis Center Funding," U.S. Code Title 2, Chapter 22, https://uscode.house.gov, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Stennis Programs," Stennis Center for Public Service, https://stennis.gov/congress-to-campus/, accessed February 19, 2025.
