Imagine having polycystic kidney disease. Life would change drastically and very quickly. For Wiley Bird, the disease dispelled both of his kidneys and he spent one year living on dialysis as he waited for a transplant to come through. Thankfully in 2001, Wiley received an answered prayer when a donated kidney match came through. However, 10 years later his body rejected this kidney and he was yet again kidney-less, with many emergency surgeries for a catheter and hooked onto a dialysis machine which left him without a job and on disability, and once again on the transplant waiting list – hoping for a miracle. Enter Nick Steward, a new city councilman in Clarksville, Tennessee and Leadership Institute graduate. Upon hearing the unfortunate news, Nick Steward volunteered his kidney to Wiley, a stranger who happened to be a former coworker's husband. After three months of preparation, the two men went into surgery eleven weeks ago and spent four days in the hospital. While their recovery has been slow and steady, we are pleased that Nick's kidney has been accepted by Wiley's body. Nick's last name—Steward—is more than just a name; it's a way of life: being a servant-leader to those around him and in his community. “Much of my life has been committed to serving others. My choice to donate a kidney to someone in need was a continuation of that service,” Nick shared with me. “I have been an organ donor since I was 18 years old and hearing that someone was in need now, I asked, ‘why not donate while I'm alive if I'm able and it will improve someone else's life.'” In November 2010, Nick was elected with 68 percent of the vote to the Clarksville, Tennessee City Council. In this position, he along with the mayor and other council members set departmental policies for the police, fire, street, parks and recreation, gas and water, electric, and others. In addition to setting policies they also make decisions on projects such as hiring additional police officers, building additional fire stations, and make several zoning and economic development choices each month. “As individuals we have a limited reach and impact on the future. We can raise our children, have an impact on those around us, and work hard to improve our communities, but once we are dead and gone our impact is usually short lived,” Nick said. “Getting involved in public policy as an advocate, campaign operative, or elected official is one way that we can leave a legacy for generations to come.” And leaving “a legacy for generations to come” is exactly what he's doing. “Being an elected official has been a rewarding experience which has provided me with a high level of responsibility. Setting personnel policies for more than 1500 employees and managing an $80-plus million budget has reinforced the importance of performance-based metrics and efficiency that the military and business world taught me,” Nick shared. “Directly representing 11,000 people and developing a vision for 134,000 people has given me the opportunity to devise and implement complex plans.” Since 2009 Nick has been a REALTOR with Keller Williams Realty and has received several distinctions through his involvement in serving Middle Tennesseans' real estate needs. In 2011, Nick was the recipient of the Community Involvement Award and has been a member of the government affairs committee since 2011. Before becoming a REALTOR, Nick was a solider for the U.S. Army. After graduating from Liberty University in the summer of 2005, Nick became an automated logistical specialist with the Army until March 2009. During these years, he served in South Korea, Fort Campbell in Kentucky, and in Afghanistan. Since 2003, Nick has been a volunteer or paid staffer in more than 30 political campaigns in Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Some of the more notable races have included: Bob McDonnell for Virginia AG, Bob McDonnell for Virginia Governor, Bill Haslam for Tennessee Governor, and Deanna McLaughlin for City Council in Tennessee. Nick's work has garnered recognition from many. In 2004, he was bestowed the Republican National Committee President's Circle Award for his “dedication to voter registration and your tireless efforts to grow the Republican Party.” From 2009-2010, he was selected to serve on the Clarksville Public Building Authority. In 2011, Nick was chairman of the Clarksville Alzheimer Association Walk and in that year, Gov. Bill Haslam appointed him to the Tennessee Pest Control Board. He's also a member of the Clarksville area Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee and former chair of the Montgomery County Young Republicans. Nick loves other cultures: he's lived in six countries, traveled to 14, and speaks basic Tagalog (Filipino) and basic Korean. He's also crazy about soccer, boxing, NASCAR, hockey, cooking, and chess. Nick received his bachelor's in business administration from Liberty University in 2005 and first learned of the Leadership Institute and President Morton Blackwell there. But it wasn't until January 2010 that Nick took LI's Campaign School and LI's Future Candidate School in August 2011. "The Leadership Institute's Campaign School provided me with the opportunity to organize the skills I had acquired through my experience working on campaigns and provided me with more tools that I was able to use during the year," Nick said. "During the first part of 2010 I used what I learned at LI to provide crisis management assistance to one of my future colleagues. Then, during the spring of 2010 I was part of the five person leadership team running the primary campaign for now Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam in my county. I led the door-to-door efforts." LI training didn't just help Nick's colleagues; it aided his own campaign toward victory! "Going into the summer and fall I was able to use the skills I learned at the Leadership Institute in my own city council campaign, which resulted in a victory with 68 percent of the vote," Nick said. "As an elected official I have also used the lessons learned at LI lectures regarding mobilizing citizens to aid in convincing the council to implement policies I felt were important." You too can take LI training -- specifically the week-long, intensive Future Candidate School, which is coming up the first week of August. "LI is a must for anyone thinking about running for office, helping others get elected, or playing an advocacy role that is serious about winning," Nick said. "Simply having the right ideas is not enough to get us across the finish line. We conservatives must take time to learn how to organize and communicate our message if we are going to be effective. The Leadership Institute provides the tools we need for success." Please congratulate Nick Steward on his recovery, and please welcome him as LI's Graduate of the Week. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate or faculty member to be featured as LI's spotlight of the week, please contact LI's Director of External Affairs Lauren Day, formerly Lauren Hart, at Lauren@LeadershipInstitute.org.

Heroes should die famous. Sadly, many don't, and that's why Freethink Media—a production company started in 2010 that's devoted to telling stories about freedom, human well-being, and achievement—produced the heartwarming, award-winning documentary film Honor Flight. Honor Flight tells the story of four living World War II veterans and a Midwest community that raises the necessary funds to give them and thousands of veterans the trip of a lifetime: an honor flight to Washington, D.C. to see the memorial constructed for them in 2004, nearly 60 years after war. The film highlights the good work the Honor Flight Network, a nonprofit organization, has done in transporting more than 100,000 veterans from WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam War from across 117 cities for an unforgettable 24-hour journey to Washington, D.C. to visit their memorials, recognize their service, and say thanks. My husband and some Leadership Institute coworkers joined me several weeks ago at The Heritage Foundation for an evening screening of the film. What I saw and more, what I felt, moved me to tears and left me with a profound appreciation for those who gave their lives, limbs, time, and families for my freedom decades before I was born. We left Heritage cherishing America and her many freedoms, and I highly recommend seeing this documentary. The film has received many awards including: the Best of Festival Documentary Feature in 2013 by the Richmond International Film Festival; the 2013 winner of the Greg Gund Memorial Standing Up Competition by the Cleveland International Film Festival; the Guinness World Record for the largest film screening in 2012; the 2013 winner of the Best of Festival Documentary Feature by the GI film Festival; and the Best Documentary Audience Choice in 2013 by the Omaha Film Festival. But that's not the full story -- at least not where the Leadership Institute is concerned. Meet Jo Jensen, the marketing director for Freethink Media. She's been busy this year raising awareness for Honor Flight, and has worked hard in part because it's personal to her. “My grandfather served in WWII and my mother is a WWII military historian,” Jo shared. “Having the opportunity to meet WWII veterans and hear their stories first-hand is an experience that I am grateful for and will never forget.” Originally from Billings, Montana, Jo went to Mount Holyoke College, a liberal arts college for women in Massachusetts, where she received a degree in political science and a minor in economics. “When I was in college, I was involved with helping a student group called Students for Saving Social Security (S4) get started. By my junior year, 2005 to 2006, we had more than 300 campus chapters comprised of more than 10,000 students. Many of these campus chapters were Leadership Institute (LI) student groups and LI was instrumental with providing training through field reps and helping our organization get started through direct mail donations,” Jo said. Since college, Jo has attended five trainings at the Leadership Institute: LI's Youth Leadership School in December 2010, Public Speaking Workshop in October 2010, On-Camera Television Workshop in September 2010, Legislative Project Management School in September 2010, and Grassroots Activist School in March 2008. In 2009, Jo attended LI's Conservative Job Fair at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where more than 739 jobseekers came to meet with conservative and libertarian employers. Later that year, Jo was selected by one of the CPAC Job Fair recruiters to be a year-long Koch Associate. She was also in the inaugural class of the National Review Institute's Washington Fellows program and helped found Generation Opportunity, where she later became the associate vice president of national stakeholder relations and operations. “Even as I have changed roles, I have continued to participate in Leadership Institute trainings. I just saw a training in public relations that I am considering going to this year,” Jo said. “There are a lot of opportunities to learn how to organize students, communicate your ideas succinctly, and to sharper your on-camera skills.” Jo was instrumental in helping break the Guinness World Record for the largest audience in history at a film screening with 28,442 people in attendance at Honor Flight's premiere in August 2012. For Memorial Day this year, Jo helped organize 80 screenings of the film at theaters and community centers, including one hosted by President George H.W. Bush near his home in Maine. “I recommend this July Fourth making time between the picnics and fireworks to sit down and watch Honor Flight the movie with your family and friends,” Jo said. “Honor Flight is a powerful documentary, but its real impact occurs when families share the experience together and talk about our heritage of where freedom comes from.” After Honor Flight was made available for purchase and download, it immediately became the top rated documentary on Amazon for weeks! You can download Honor Flight on iTunes and the DVD can be purchased on Amazon. More than 640 WWII veterans die every day, and that's why honoring them now is so critical. “The easiest and most important way to get involved is to just express your gratitude for their service. In the movie, we show the WWII veterans being surprised on their trip home with thank you letters from community members and their family. I don't think people realize just how much it means to veterans to have their service recognized and to be thanked with a handshake, a hug or a thank you card,” Jo said. There are multiple opportunities to get involved with this movement of honoring veterans. You can apply to be a guardian for one special veteran, a volunteer to welcome them back home at the end of their journey or to welcome them to DC (there are 117 cities that send veterans with trips every weekend April through October), or considering being a host for a private screening of the film. And of course, if you know of a veteran that should receive this honor trip, please help them apply. “The Leadership Institute has served as a great networking resource to me and also helped me navigate Washington, D.C.,” Jo shared. “I always recommend an LI training to folks new to DC because it's a great way to get connected and sharpen your skills!” Register online for an LI training like Jo and become more effective so this generation continues to preserve freedom! Follow Jo on Twitter @JoJensen. Please congratulate Jo Jensen on her wonderful work of publicizing the gift of service World War II veterans have given, and please welcome her as LI's Graduate of the Week. There will be no featured spotlight next week and this feature will resume the week of July 8. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate or faculty member to be featured as LI's spotlight of the week, please contact LI's Director of External Affairs Lauren Day, formerly Lauren Hart, at Lauren@LeadershipInstitute.org.

Research drives policy messaging. Well, at least for smart conservatives. For Abbey Brokos, she's found a career doing research in her passion: political communications. First she worked for the Republican National Committee as a junior research analyst, and now she's a political communications specialist at FP1 Strategies. “Research is absolutely crucial because it sets the foundation for communication strategies,” Abbey said. “It helps explain the facts why people should believe a specific argument. More and more campaigns, nonprofits, and corporations are hiring researchers because they provide the substance on which to springboard their message and win over an audience.” At FP1 Strategies, Abbey compiles news articles for clients, conducts research, updates social media accounts, writes op-ed pieces, and collects information and quotes for client advertisements. “The fast-paced nature of political communications means there is never a dull moment in the office,” she said. At the Republican National Committee (RNC), Abbey developed research and communication skills. “We were required to quickly research and turn around the information to be used as background for the RNC, a blog post on the website, or a research piece used by the presidential campaign, grassroots activists, and reporters,” Abbey said. “One of the many highlights of working at the RNC was the opportunity to attend the Republican National Convention down in Tampa, Florida.” She's a Michigander, but attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, where she received a Bachelor's degree in political science and graduated magna cum laude. In college, she spent her summers interning in the DC area. In 2009, Abbey was a legislative affairs intern for Concerned Women for America, where she first learned of the Leadership Institute (LI). “After attending the Leadership Institute's Youth Leadership School, I realized that there were so many different practical things that LI could teach me which would give me an advantage in the world of politics. The next summer in 2010 I was excited to learn that I was accepted as an LI intern,” Abbey said. “It was while I was interning in the communication training department that I first realized my love for communications.” So, she enrolled in 14 LI trainings. She jumped at the opportunity to take all of LI's communications trainings: public speaking, television, public relations, and broadcast journalism, she said. “Countless times, techniques I learned at LI have helped me understand tasks at work much more quickly and have given me an advantage in the workforce. Moreover, the Leadership Institute has helped me develop life-long relationships with both mentors and peers in the political world that continue to challenge me to grow as an individual and conservative,” Abbey said. The following summer Abbey interned at the U.S. Department of State. “Young people should care about public policy because it directly impacts our generation and the future of our country,” Abbey said. “Unless we take an active role, future generations may not have the same freedoms and opportunities that we have today.” So, get trained in effective communications at LI so we can preserve freedom! Register for LI's Public Speaking Workshop. “The Leadership Institute wants to take people who have a passion to make a difference in the world of politics and equip them with the foundational tools in order to help them succeed in whatever area of politics they choose,” Abbey shared. “LI helped me develop my love for communications and for that, I will be forever grateful.” Follow Abbey on Twitter @Abbeyebrokos. Please congratulate Abbey Brokos on finding her career love, and please welcome her as LI's Graduate of the Week. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate or faculty member to be featured as LI's spotlight of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Day, formerly Lauren Hart, at Lauren@LeadershipInstitute.org.

Have you heard the famous proverb: “If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again?” For Lee Cohen, trying again proved very successful. In 2012, he ran for student body president at Indiana University South Bend and lost by just 57 votes. This year, running against two other candidates, Lee received 55.9 percent of the vote, while the second place person received 35.9 percent and the last received 8.2 percent. In other words, Lee overwhelmingly won 1.5 times more votes than the second highest candidate and 6.5 times more votes than the third. So, what changed? First—Lee increased his name recognition. After his loss in 2012, he spent this past year getting more involved on campus and making good relationships. “In 2012, I had zero name recognition on campus,” Lee told me. “I internalized the knowledge that people aren't voting for you…They are voting for the idea of you, for the idea of who you are and what you symbolize. Branding yourself carefully and meticulously is imperative –you will become a symbol and a fad. People will sell you to their friends in their discussions with one another without you needing to lift a finger. By branding yourself, you become a discussion topic. Following my first run for office, I had established name recognition and a strong reputation throughout the year.” Second—he got help. In 2012, his campaign team consisted of just him. This year, he recruited a slate of folks to run with him on a conservative platform ticket. “In Morton Blackwell's Laws of the Public Policy Process, his sixth law states, ‘Give ‘em a title and get ‘em involved,' and law #29 states, ‘You can't beat somebody with nobody.' Going it alone in 2012 was an uphill battle, so it drastically helped to establish a team of good candidates and have them well organized,” Lee said. “I gave it 110 percent in 2012, but still came in shy of winning. This year, I gave it 120 percent and had 10 others working for my victory. Together, we more than doubled the prior year's numbers.” “I established a team of candidates with similar viewpoints, creating a powerful coalition. Our team was campaigning against another well-established team of 13 candidates—one presidential candidate and 12 senate candidates. They were all very well connected with the student body and the student housing,” Lee said. But having a strong coalition isn't enough to win elections. Having a strong message is also important. “I ran for Student Government Association president because I felt that students needed someone who would represent their interests and not act merely as a rubber stamp for the university's administration,” Lee said. “I sought the office because I felt that funds were being spent inappropriately and that the student activity fee – an additional fee that students have to pay alongside tuition – was being used as a second, quasi-tuition increase in order to pay for things that the university should be paying for on its own dime through its general fund.” There were four executive positions open–president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. There were three people ran for president and 24 ran for 12 open senate seats. “My team of candidates held a better, more conservative philosophy regarding how student funding should be spent,” Lee said. “This next year, I will be working to establish a system whereby our student government can offer representation to students who are the targets of bias in classrooms and in grading—especially if these biases are rooted in discrimination against a student's worldview, political orientation, or conservative viewpoints—as well as stand guard against restrictions that could impede upon conservative clubs and organizations on campus.” Third—by studying how to win, the election outcomes changed in Lee's favor. In 2009, Lee came to DC for the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). “At CPAC, I met Kent Strang from the Leadership Institute and had the opportunity to work with both him and Brenda Alves who was, at the time, the intern coordinator for LI,” Lee remembered. He was encouraged to apply for LI's summer 2009 internship and was accepted. While at LI, Lee took nine trainings, including the Campaign Management School, Television Workshops, Public Relations School, Conservative Intern Workshop, Direct Mail School, Youth Leadership School, and LI's Public Speaking Workshop. Lee took Leadership Institute training. He studied his notes later. He prepared for battle, and then won. “LI taught me everything I to know about campaigning,” Lee said. “Without the Leadership Institute, I couldn't have understood what I needed to do in each unique situation in order to secure a victory for myself and our team.” Fourth—he implemented political technology to his benefit. The ninth Law of Public Policy Process states: Political technology determines political success. Lee said he implemented this law on his campaign. “Technology allowed us to speak to thousands of people at once in 1,000 places, all with the click of a button. All the while, we were getting out the vote in person! I utilized Facebook ads early on; printer templates for flyers, posters, and table tents; stickers; email blasts; and, most effectively, text message blasts,” Lee said. “We worked our GOTV while simultaneously email and text blasting our voting block. I tested my software religiously. There is nothing worse than being right on the front lines of the battlefield when your email blasts are being marked as SPAM and your text messenger is not functioning. I learned the importance of triple checking that everything is in working order and having my email blasts functioning and ready to go on a timer days in advance,” he explained. Fifth—he made sharp campaign materials and used them effectively. “I learned that campaign materials which are sharp, understandable, and motivating are highly effective,” Lee said. He continued, “Good materials, concise talking points, and easy-to-follow voting directions help voters see the value in supporting you and convince them that the time it takes to vote for you is well worth it. Aside from flyers and posters, we had a secret weapon: table towers. We printed hundreds of them and prepared them so that they could be unfolded and set up in seconds. We systematized our campaign materials. “Then, during the early morning of Election Day, we covered the campus with them. They were impressive, effective, and attractive; people loved them,” he explained. “They emanated professionalism and branded us effectively. I ran into a ton of people who said that they voted for us simply because they saw our table towers and followed the voting directions on it.” Lastly—he got out the vote and ran an aggressive grassroots campaign. In 2012, there were 877 voters. In 2013, there were 1,601 students that came out to vote for the candidate of their choice. That's almost double the number of voters. Lee received 55.9 percent of the vote, while the second place person received 35.9 percent and the last received 8.2 percent. And, all nine of their slate's senators won! “This year, I established the campaign strategy months before the campaign,” Lee said. He waited to announce he was running for president until his decision was made and his team was formed. “I began collecting voter contact information in person weeks before the GOTV effort even began. I would go classroom to classroom and give a brief three-minute spiel with handout materials. Following the spiel, I would ask for their pledged support and vote, and then I collected their email and phone number for GOTV far in advance of Election Day,” Lee said. But working hard during the campaign isn't enough; one must finish strong. “I decided to run through the finish line, and then keep running until I could no longer see the finish line in my rearview mirror. Slowing down isn't suicide, but it is detrimental to your margin for error,” he shared. “The more you withdraw yourself from the game, the smaller that margin of error gets and the more your wiggle room shrinks. By running our campaign at full steam toward the end, we secured a massive victory.” In just two years, he went from underdog loser to the most prominent leader on campus. Now he gets to change his campus toward more conservative ways next year as president. Lee learned that failure is just an opportunity to learn from mistakes, correct them, and become stronger and more successful. “The Leadership Institute is the premier political activism training institution in our nation,” Lee said. “There is nowhere else that you can receive the level of in depth training, knowledge, and experience that LI supplies. There is simply no substitute for learning the art of winning political campaigns from those campaign managers and consultants who work in the field day-to-day and provide their expertise at LI trainings." Come to the Leadership Institute to learn how to prepare for a future run for office. Register for LI's week-long Future Candidate School in August. “LI has not only given me the skills for successful organization and campaigning, it has also facilitated long-term friendships for me in the field of politics and nonprofits that will allow me to advance in a career where I can advance conservative principles,” Lee said. We look forward to where Lee's career will go. Follow Lee on Twitter @CohenLee. Please congratulate and welcome Lee Cohen as an elected leader at Indiana University and as LI's Graduate of the Week. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate or faculty member to be featured as LI's spotlight of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Day, formerly Lauren Hart, at Lauren@LeadershipInstitute.org.

Representative Justin Amash (MI-03) will speak at the Leadership Institute's Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfast on Wednesday, June 5 at 8:00 A.M. Rep. Amash will discuss his election to Congress in the Tea Party wave of 2010 and his experience as an advocate for limited government."Congressman Amash is part of the next generation leading the fight for limited government -- no small feat in Washington, D.C.," said Morton Blackwell, Institute president. "Conservatives are likely to enjoy his remarks."Rep. Amash serves on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform; he was removed from the Committee on the Budget in December 2012. He is known for using his Facebook fan page to explain his votes in Congress and for personally managing his Twitter account.The Leadership Institute hosts its Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfast on the first Wednesday of each month. Its breakfasts are an opportunity for supporters and graduates to hear from prominent conservatives.To attend the breakfast, contact me at 703-247-2000 or register online. Registration is $10 and includes a buffet breakfast. The doors open at 7:30 A.M. and the program begins at 8:00 A.M.Update: You can watch Representative Amash's speech at LeadershipInstitute.org/speakers/>

Jayson Veley was a spy. Well, at least when he was a child. At night, Jayson would sneak up on his father yelling at the TV in their Wethersfield, Connecticut home as he watched the evening news and the talking heads. "I had small conversations with my dad about political issues in America, and over the years these conversations became more and more frequent,” Jayson said. “I really owe a lot of credit to my dad, because without him, I never would have started political commentary in the first place.” Jayson's true love is broadcasting his conservative views over the airwaves. In high school he co-founded with his buddy Caiden Cowger Junior Factor Nation to spread the conservative message to youth. Their network provides radio programming, video clips, and columns – all created by teenagers and young twenty-somethings. “As it stands right now, liberalism will be the dominant ideology in America's near future, primarily due to the youth's increasing exposure to classroom indoctrination and media bias,” Jayson said. “The reason I established Junior Factor Nation is essentially to counter these factors, and present the youth with a side of politics that they are not being exposed to.” Jayson just finished his freshman year at Eastern Connecticut State University, where he majors in communications with a focus on radio broadcasting. But you can often find Jayson cohosting a conservative radio show on the campus radio station. Every Monday and Thursday night from 7 to 8 p.m. EST tune in and hear Jayson as the Factor Talk Radio host. The program airs live on the website for listeners to hear along with other shows like The Founding Voice, The Caiden Cowger Program, and The Whitfield Analysis. Jayson was thrilled when he got a special invite to make a guest appearance on Glenn Beck's TV show in April 2010 – calling it his “biggest honor.” “Connor, my local access co-host at the time, and I were given the chance to teach a political lesson at Beck's chalk boards, which was a very neat experience. It has definitely motivated me to keep up the fight for freedom, and it is something that I truly will never forget,” he explained. Jayson first learned of the Leadership Institute through his uncle Scott Veley, also an LI graduate. He registered for LI's Youth Leadership School in August 2010 as a high school sophomore. “My experience with the Leadership Institute was fantastic. I still have all the notes I took during the course when I learned how to organize on college campuses and how to promote the ideas of conservatism to my peers. Now that I am in college, the skills that I learned at the Leadership Institute are much more relevant, and I am definitely going back for more training in the near future,” he said. You too can get trained like Jayson. Register now for LI's Youth Leadership School. “The Leadership Institute staff genuinely wants you to succeed, whether you are interested in radio broadcasting like me or organizing in other ways on college campuses. They are completely committed to spreading the conservative message, and have certainly been helpful to me and my professional journey. LI's Mr. Steve Sutton has been particularly helpful, and has provided me with many opportunities to advance my political broadcasting career.” Jayson has also published his own book called The Other Side. In it, he discusses conservatism and its importance to today's youth. The book is currently available on Amazon. “Freedom is something that everyone deserves to have, and everyone should be fighting for,” Jayson said. “As Ronald Reagan once said, ‘freedom is never more than a generation away from extinction'. If we don't pass on these principles of limited government and constitutional values, then I fear that the Republic will one day disappear altogether. Young people should get involved because it is their country too, and the future of America is in their hands.” Jason's recommendation for getting involved? It starts with Leadership Institute training. “The Leadership Institute is committed to teaching college students how to organize and spread the conservative message on campus. Like everyone at Junior Factor Nation, the staff at LI wants to see freedom protected in this country. They are an organization that wants to educate the youth and ensure that future generations will hold true to our founding values and principles. I would highly recommend the Leadership Institute to anyone willing to join the fight for liberty,” Jayson said. Follow Jayson on Twitter @JaysonVeley and @FactorTalkRadio. Please congratulate and welcome Jayson Veley into conservative broadcasting and as LI's Graduate of the Week. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate or faculty member to be featured as LI's spotlight of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Day, formerly Lauren Hart, at Lauren@LeadershipInstitute.org.

So you think you're a politics addict? Leah Courtney says she's one. Leah was raised in a conservative, military family who idealized Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and Oliver North. However, it wasn't until college that these ideas spurred action and developed into her career calling: online communications. This small-town girl claims Florida as home. She is a 2012 graduate of the University of West Florida, and received a Bachelor's of Arts in international studies and political science. In college, Leah was active in College Republicans -- even chair of the group one year -- and involved in student government, for which she served as academic committee co-chair. “I first started getting involved with politics when I was 19 years old, and I've been an addict ever since,” Leah Courtney, now 23, said. She's a social media analyst at DC London, a full-service consulting firm in areas of campaign management, grassroots management, lobbying, message and brand development, and social media. “My job is to watch social media trends to keep clients informed on how their brand is doing and what is popular at the moment,” Leah said. “I got into this field honestly doing exactly what I always do: tweeting and blogging,” Leah shared. “People have to put themselves out there and voice their views on public policy. Be unapologetic; be outspoken. We have free speech in this country; take advantage of it. And, the people in the industry will take notice.” And boy, have folks taken notice. She's now on three international sub-committees for the Young Republicans National Federation: Asia and Oceania, Americas, and Europe, on which she is most active. “We are one of the few countries that has the opportunity to have a hand in public policy decision-making. That being said, it is borderline irresponsible not to take an interest,” Leah said. “Young people need to be reading up on these policies, and voting every chance they get.” In the spring of 2013, Leah interned at the Leadership Institute in the Events Department where she helped promote LI's monthly Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfasts and happy hours. Before her LI internship, Leah worked in the fall (August through November) as the field director for the Republican National Committee in Pensacola, Florida. In this position she organized events for 500 to 1,000 people, working in a coalition with the GOP executive committee and local tea party groups. She also taught employees and volunteers how to effectively conduct grassroots operations during the campaign. Before that, Leah interned for Mitt Romney for President in the research department at the office in northwestern Florida. She assisted with event planning for groups of around 500 and did many calls with voters. In the fall of 2010, Leah interned for the Rick Scott for Governor campaign where she made 100 to 125 calls per hour, coordinated the midnight sign placement run for three counties, and campaigned in the community and at events. Leah first learned of LI from a good friend, who was a past intern for the Institute. He invited her to attend a Youth Leadership School, and “I've been a huge fan ever since,” she said. “I've learned so much from the entire LI family,” Leah said. “I got the push I needed to succeed in such a competitive environment, and I also have made a lot of friends through LI that help me in countless ways and keep me motivated.” Leah took 15 LI trainings as various as TV training to High-Dollar Fundraising School to Campaign Management School. “Some things that really stuck with me were from the public relations training and online activism workshop,” Leah said. “How to grab someone's attention and make them want to hear about the brand you're promoting is one thing that was really valuable. Also, I remember learning how to make your point when writing without getting wordy or off-topic.” You too can become a LI intern like Leah. Contact LI's Intern Coordinator Alyssa Condrey at ACondrey@LeadershipInstitute.org for more information. “The Leadership Institute is a great stepping stone for young activists that want to make it in the political world. If you're interested in getting involved, sign up for LI training. I've learned more through this organization then I did during the four years I was in college.” You heard her: sign up for an LI training now. You can follow Leah on Twitter @LCourtney90. Please congratulate and welcome Leah Courtney into the online communications industry and as LI's Graduate of the Week. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate or faculty member to be featured as LI's spotlight of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Day, formerly Lauren Hart, at Lauren@LeadershipInstitute.org.

Enjoy the 22Q with Jarrett Ray, Director of Online Fundraising at The Prosper Group.The 22Q is an informal interview series (archives here) with young conservatives, connected to LI, who are working in the public policy process. The 22 questions ask them to explain what they do, and how they see politics and the next generation of the conservative movement. Their opinions are their own, and are not endorsed by the Leadership Institute.---Part 1: What I doHow I describe my job in 10 wordsDeveloping and executing online fundraising plans for GOP candidates and organizationsMy day-to-day at work...in three sentencesI spend the majority of my time writing and designing emails, online ads, and websites. A team of designers and developers helps me bring these ideas to life.I oversee an account manager and intern who mock up and execute online campaigns faster than most staffers can say social media.I couldn't do my job withoutA to-do list. My obsession with to-do lists is a running joke in my office. I've literally used a napkin in order to stay organized.Most important moment in my career (so far)Consulting on Mitt Romney's email prospecting effortsUnexpected skill that has helped me the mostA sense of adventure. I've been on the ground with political campaigns in six states and worked on races in dozens of others. Every campaign is an opportunity to learn about local issues and meet new people.The best advice I have receivedRather than ask questions first, always try your best to figure it out. Part 2: PoliticsThe biggest change I've seen already in politicsThe explosive change in public opinion polls on gay marriage is fascinating. I remember in 2006 when Virginia Republicans placed a marriage amendment on the November ballot as a way to help George Allen's reelection campaign. There is a lot to be learned in how gay rights activists pulled it off.The element of working in politics that most surprised meEveryone says time management is really important. They're right.The most important issue many don't see yetState and local Republicans have increasingly published back against the federal government's largesse. I think you will see a push toward more local control as a way to counter Washington overreach.Where I think the movement will be in five yearsThis is more of a trend, but online/mobile advertising will be more important than TV ads.How I formed my political beliefsI'm naturally conservative, but my activism was sparked in college in reaction to a professor who graded me down for taking a conservative stance on an opinion paper. The situation caused me to dive into political philosophy classes and take a leadership role in College Republicans. Part 3: The next generationWhat I'd say to my 18-year-old selfYou don't need to be a political science major to work in politics. You will get all the experience you need volunteering on a campaign or interning for your local state senator.(For the record, I double-majored in college and graduated with degrees in Political Science and Philosophy.)Skill or experience I'd recommend students get nowHone your writing skills now. The ability to effectively communicate opens up a lot of doors.To gain experience, write op-eds for your college paper or volunteer on a campaign and offer to assist with their social media campaign.Three things I'd tell every young political junkie to read1. Set up an email account for political emails and sign up for emails from politicians of all stripes.2. Drudge Report.3. The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good by William Easterly. The focus of the book is on international development, but Easterly's realist conservative approach provides real-life examples of how to apply complex free-market ideas.My most useful class in collegeIntro to Political Philosophy. The class opened up a world of interesting thinkers to me.I met some of my closest friends (from both sides of the aisle) in that class too.Three future leaders from my generationHopefully someone reading this gets the tools they need at the Leadership Institute to start a career and become a future leader. Part 4: Me, personallyThe most fascinating figure in world historyGeorge WashingtonMy heroes in fictionWalter von Ulrich from Fall of Giants.I really love Ken Follet novels. He is a master of historical fiction.The most inspiring art I've read, seen, or heardHike to the top of a mountain and take a picture. You can't find art better than that.I'd star in House of Cards or West Wing (choose one)West Wing. Aaron Sorkin might be a liberal, but he is a great writer.I can't get through my day withoutPandora, Bose headphones, and Stride gumMy connection to the Leadership InstituteAt James Madison University, I brought the Leadership Institute to campus to give its Youth Leadership School.I went on to take the Campaign Manager, Internet Activist, and Grassroots Campaign Workshop -- all excellent. Thank you everyone who participated in the #LIJobFair #VVS13— Leadership Institute (@LeadershipInst) October 12, 2013>

What do agriculture, crossing borders, energy, hazardous materials, security, and taxes have in common? The trucking industry, of course! “I am very concerned about the impact of excessive government regulation on the hard-working truck drivers – especially the individuals and independent operators,” Mike Howe said. He runs regular pieces focused on all the various issues that concern those in the trucking business from border crossing to Earth Day, energy prices, taxes, new tolls and traffic laws. “I try to bring issues to their attention and offer my commentary where appropriate.” Mike works to educate those in the trucking industry about politics and advance their positions in public policy. “One of my first real jobs out of college was in the trucking industry, so I have long had an affinity for transportation issues,” Mike said. “My PolitiTruck.com site, bringing politics and trucking together, is a place where I share my writing for other trucking publications as well as the work I do independently.” His work is even being published throughout international publications and in other languages. Desi Trucking, a Canadian publication, featured his May/June 2013 cover story article in English and Punjabi. And just today Mike filed for the district 2 position of the Sequim, WA School Board. “There are multiple reasons for me deciding to do this, the most important of which is that I have three children who are in or will be in the district so, I have a vested interest,” Mike said. “I am also very concerned about the future of our country and I believe quality education is what will bring future prosperity. As a former college instructor I have seen the struggles some face as a result of not having the necessary skills and knowledge to excel at that level, so I hope to make a difference with that. Lastly, with my background I believe I bring a unique skillset to the school board that can help it become even more effective in influencing state and federal policies.” By day, Mike is the communications and government relations manager at Clallam County Public Utility District in the state of Washington. The utility provides electricity, water, sewer, and telecommunications to approximately 30,000 customers, and Mike manages the overall communication efforts. “One of the major projects I am currently working on is educating the public and policy makers on the impacts of the state's renewable portfolio standards [RPS], while also working to reform the mandates associated with the RPS to something more reasonable,” Mike said. Mike is the chairman of the Washington Public Utility District Association's Communication Committee and vice-chairman of its Government Relations Committee. He has five children, a wife he is crazy about, and a grandchild who just turned two years old plus another one on the way. He is an elected board member of the University of Wyoming Alumni Association. He is also former president of Baker County Chamber of Commerce in Oregon, and formerly an advisor to two Wyoming governors. His work has garnered the attention of many. In 2009, he received the Spotlight on Excellence Award for the best news story that year from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. He is also the 2009, 2010, and 2011 recipient of the Excellence in Communications Award from the Northwest Public Power Association. However, Mike's proudest moment in his career was interviewing President George W. Bush, during both the 2000 and 2004 elections. Mike hosts a radio program called “In The Booth” on KONP radio. The show is syndicated to Forks, WA on two stations and airs Saturday from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Newsradio 1450 KONP radio in Port Angeles / Sequim. On Sunday, his show airs from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. on KBDB Twilight 96.7 FM in Forks, and from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on KFKB Forks Radio 1490 AM in Forks. “On this show I bring on policymakers from around the state, nation, and even the globe to talk about issues of importance,” Mike said. “My guests tend to be conservative, but it is not a show with strictly conservative guests. Really the show is about bringing listeners information and guests these stations might not typically have. Past guests have included Vice President Dick Cheney, U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson, U.S. Congressman Tom Graves, numerous guests from the American Enterprise Institute, and more.” In college Mike was chairman of College Republicans at the University of Wyoming, and that's where he first learned of the Leadership Institute from a friend. In March 1992 he took LI's Youth Leadership School in Denver, Colorado. “Leadership Institute training certainly helped me early in my career,” Mike said. “LI taught me how to win, and not just in politics. I have applied the lessons of the Leadership Institute in my work as a lobbyist, advisor to two governors, radio host, writer, and volunteer.” “Perhaps the best thing LI did for me was help foster my confidence," he said. "I remember sitting in the LI training and being around many great young leaders. The comments they were making, concerns they were expressing, and outlook for the future were very similar to my own.” A few years after the training, Mike won his campaign for state chairman of College Republicans in the state of Wyoming. “Today, I still have my signed copy of the Laws of the Public Policy Process hanging in my office as well as the large, black three-ring binder from the Youth Leadership School training.” You too can be an effective LI Youth Leadership School graduate like Mike by registering now here. “The Leadership Institute is the organization young conservatives should seek training from. It is the organization that provides me hope for the future of America,” Mike shared. “Given the current state of politics, it is incredibly important we train and educate young conservatives how to win in any endeavor they take on. LI is the organization that can help make this happen.” Follow Mike on Twitter @TruckingDC for news and information on political trucking issues. Check out his PolitiTruck blog here, and his radio show online here. Please congratulate and welcome Mike Howe as LI's Graduate of the Week. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate or faculty member to be featured as LI's spotlight of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Day, formerly Lauren Hart, at Lauren@LeadershipInstitute.org.

Issues That Unite: Latinos & Conservatism in Las Vegas, Nevada was the first city out of eight the Leadership Institute and its partnering national organizations visited. The Leadership Institute partnered with New America, a new organization in Nevada seeking to engage minorities.The event was a success; representatives from Governor Sandoval, Senator Heller, and Congressman Heck's office attended the event as did more than 100 other individuals.The event was held at the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, a venue known for hosting El Dia del Niño and El Dia de los Muertos (The day of the Child and The day of the Dead). Attendees were treated to appetizers and beverages as they networked prior to the events' start.The first half of the event focused on public policy and how it affects Latinos.Isreal Ortega from The Heritage Foundation discussed economic and school public policy. Leticia Gardea, a small business owner in Las Vegas, gave her testimony as a Latina entrepreneur. Tim Mooney, representing Faith & Freedom Coalition, discussed family policy.The second half of the event tied public policy to practical training.Dan Garza with The Libre Initiative talked about messaging to Latinos while Adryana Boyne from VOCES Action discussed the importance of Hispanic Media.The day concluded with an immigration panel discussion where questions regarding immigration from the audience were answered.Highlights: 1. More than 100 attendees2. Notable guests included: -Representative from Governor Sandoval's office - Representative from Senator Heller's office - Representative from Congressman Heck's office - Other candidates for public office - Leaders from New America, Libre Initiative, Heritage Foundation, VOCES Action, Tea Party Patriots and Leadership Institute3. Red Card Solution,The Heritage Foundation, the Leadership Institute, and VOCES Action all distributed helpful materials to every attendee>

How can you make your country more free? For 23-year-old Darya Nenakhova, from Kazakhstan, real change starts with young people -- and free markets. “We believe that for improving the index of economic freedom in Kazakhstan, we first need to encourage young people's interest in entrepreneurship. This will give Kazakhstan a new generation of business creators and increase the number of jobs,” Darya Nenakhova said. Kazakhstan, a country of 16 million people in central Asia, borders Russia to the north, China to the southeast, and Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to its south. It was the last country in the former Soviet Union to become independent, a process finalized in December 1991. That's part of what makes Darya's work so important and exciting. Darya is the director of business development for the Young Entrepreneurs Club in Kazakhstan, which began just a few months ago in December 2012. The club's mission is to inspire young people from ages 21 to 37 to create and develop their own businesses. Each week the Young Entrepreneurs Club organizes a “Business Tuesday” at which they network, meet new members, and listen to guest speakers who promote economic freedom. Darya is also a founding partner at the Institute for Development and Economic Affairs (IDEA), a think tank founded in 2011. The think tank works with government, NGOs, and foreign partners. “We want Kazakhstan to be a safe and prosperous country, where everyone has an opportunity for self-development with a wide diversity of individual rights and freedoms that are protected from intervention, where the talents of every citizen are valued and where government is concentrated on its main function – the protection of life and property of citizens,” Darya explained. At the KIMEP University library a memorial corner dedicated to free-market economist Ludwig von Mises is being created, thanks to Darya's group. “In this library we are planning to bring together the authors of classical liberal economics and philosophy in Russian, English, and in Kazakh,” Darya said. “We plan to bring a lot of books from the U.S. and Russia and make these works freely available for professors and students from all universities.” The group has spearheaded the translation of classical liberal thinkers into Kazakh so more university students can read and be exposed to these ideas. Their first project is the translation of The Law by Frederic Bastiat. Then, they will translate The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible: A Free Market Odyssey by Ken Schoolland. After her colleague and IDEA co-founder Pavel Koktyshev introduced her to the Leadership Institute, Darya attended LI's week-long International School of Fundraising in London this past March. “I integrated what I learned about direct mail at LI's training to our Economic Freedom Forum last month in April,” Darya said. “There was a letter asking people to donate money for book translation (The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible) from Russian to Kazak. The translated book will then be provided for children in the villages.” “The Leadership Institute has already been helpful to my professional career through the huge and useful contact database,” Darya said. “I was inspired by Ron Nehring's speech about fundraising for political campaigns, and Bruce and Katherine Eberle's lecture on planning and organizing successful fundraising events was a key topic to me because in Almaty, Kazakhstan we organize events for IDEA and the Young Entrepreneurs Club.” Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Kazakhstan is the world's largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups. “The initiative kicked off in 2008, launched by former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Carl Schramm, the president and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Since then, it has grown to 115 countries,” Darya said. “When Kazakhstan joined GEW Global in 2011, this was our team's first initiative: to run the Forum of Youth Entrepreneurship.” She continued, “This week-long conference gathered government and business representatives for constructive dialogue about finding opportunities, taking risks, solving problems, being creative, building connections and learning from both failure and success. During one week each November, GEW Kazakhstan inspires people everywhere through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators,” Darya said. “After joining GEW Kazakhstan, it gave us the reason to start the Young Entrepreneurs Club.” You too can start a conservative club, perhaps on your liberal college campus. Contact LI's Campus Leadership Program Deputy National Field Director Mike Armstrong at MArmstrong@Leadershipinstitute.org for more details and support. Like Darya, you can be armed with the tools you need to advance your principles. Go register now for a training near you. Please congratulate and welcome Darya Nenakhova as LI's Graduate of the Week. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate or faculty member to be featured as LI's spotlight of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Day, formerly Lauren Hart, at Lauren@LeadershipInstitute.org.

Why do studies show that college seniors are more liberal than college freshmen? Simply put, campus radicals dominate almost every college campus in America and create a hostile environment for conservatives and libertarians. Leftists claim to support diversity. But “safe spaces,” “trigger warnings,” and political correctness run amok show that liberals in higher education reject diversity of thought and freedom of speech. Conservatives rarely have an outlet for their beliefs. When students get news about their campus, the official student newspaper is often simply a tool for spreading leftist propaganda. Many university administrations blatantly censor conservative ideas and opinions. However, many conservatives and libertarians now fight back and stand up for free speech with newspapers of their own. Papers such as the Harvard Salient, the Notre Dame Irish Rover, and the University of Georgia Arch Conservative now shatter the leftist monopoly of campus debate with hard-hitting editorials and unique reports of liberal abuses. Here are two examples of how one paper fought back against liberals on campus and made national news. Last year, The Minnesota Republic at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities shined a spotlight on the student government's rejection of a campus-wide moment of silence for victims of the 9/11 attacks. Pausing for a moment of recognition to honor the victims would increase racism and Islamophobia on campus, the student government said. “The passing of this resolution might make a space that is unsafe for students on campus even more unsafe,” one student representative said. “Islamophobia and racism fueled through that are alive and well.” The representative went on rhetorically to ask, “when will we start having moments of silence for all of the times white folks have done something terrible?” The resolution that would have honored the 9/11 victims with a moment of recognition was defeated by a 36-23 margin. However, the staff of The Minnesota Republic didn't let go - they fought back and reported on the story. The Republic's story, which was re-published on the Leadership Institute's Campus Reform, gained national media attention and generated public outrage. The university's board of regents rejected the student government's “safe space” argument and announced the university would move forward with a moment of recognition for victims of 9/11 in future years. The Dartmouth Review, the conservative paper at the Dartmouth College, broke national news about liberal bias last November. On November 12, Black Lives Matter protesters stormed the college's library, chanted loudly, screamed curses, and intimidated students who were trying to study. The Dartmouth Review staff, which had recently received training at a Leadership Institute Student Publications Workshop, captured video of the protest and authored a story that exposed the protesters' vicious mob mentality. Both the video and the story went viral, receiving national coverage on Fox News and CNN. The video of the protest now has over one million views on YouTube. The Dartmouth Review was the first campus outlet to write about the intimidation many students experienced that night. Because of their journalistic efforts, the college's president promised that the school would investigate the protesters and vowed to “enforce appropriate sanctions.” Without the Review, the emboldened protesters would have continued their campaign of intimidation. Instead, they found themselves at the center of a national media firestorm, all because the Review took a stand. The Leadership Institute launched its Student Publication Workshop in 1983 to expose leftist bias and abuses just like these. Their purpose is to teach conservative students how to set up and run independent conservative campus publications of their own. This was the second type of training the Institute offered, and it is still going strong today. The papers this workshop produces are often the only strong conservative voice on college campuses dominated by liberals. On dozens of campuses across America, independent campus newspapers published by Leadership Institute graduates now give students a point of view they might otherwise never hear. When you create a conservative paper on your campus, you'll follow an illustrious group of trailblazers. Former staffers of conservative campus publications have gone on to become some of the movement's brightest stars. Luminaries such as documentarian Dinesh D'Souza, radio host Laura Ingraham, and Pulitzer Prize-winning Wall Street Journal columnist Joseph Rago all began their careers with The Dartmouth Review, the flagship of the conservative campus publications. Ann Coulter was a founding member of the aforementioned Cornell Review. National Review Editor-in-Chief Rich Lowry cut his teeth as the editor of a conservative student newspaper at the University of Virginia. Bernadette Malone, a Leadership Institute graduate who became editor of the Manchester Union Leader editorial page, says that her campus conservative student newspaper changed her life. Bernadette realized she was a conservative by reading the Binghamton Review, the conservative newspaper at the State University of New York at Binghamton. She joined the staff of the paper, attended the Leadership Institute's Student Publications Workshop, became the paper's editor, and decided to pursue journalism as a career. Bernadette worked for several years as a political reporter for the late conservative columnist and TV commentator Robert Novak. That's the kind of impact working on a conservative student newspaper can have on your career. Like Bernadette, Amanda Carpenter will tell you that the Student Publications Workshop changed her life. Amanda served as Texas Senator Ted Cruz's Communications Director. You may have seen her during her primetime appearances on Fox News and CNN. Amanda attended LI's Student Publications Workshop while a student at Ball State University. She left the school, in her words, “with a domain name and ideas for 10 stories.” She began writing and publishing on her campus, and she never looked back. Since she graduated, Amanda has written for Human Events as a congressional correspondent, for Townhall as a national political reporter, and as a columnist for The Washington Times. This constellation of conservative stars provides great examples of how experience as a student journalist can lead to a career advancing conservative principles and providing balance to the national liberal news media. Young conservatives who set up and run independent conservative student newspapers learn what it's like to battle the liberals every day. They relish it. By starting your own student publication, you will gain skills to make you a valued member of any campaign or organization you join. Successful student editors learn immediate, valuable skills such as: how to write, edit, and design a regularly published, effective publication how to do investigative journalism how to recruit and train a motivated staff of like-minded students how to manage a budget how to fundraise and sell advertising Are you ready to start your career as a conservative student journalist today? The Leadership Institute will help you every step of the way. The first step is scheduling a Student Publications Workshop on your campus. Find a few dedicated, conservative friends and contact Emily Larsen, the Leadership Institute's Student Publications Coordinator, at ELarsen@leadershipinstitute.org. After your workshop, which will be held either in-person with a visit from a journalism professional or remotely online, the Leadership Institute will help you fund your first issue through the Balance in Media grant. That's right -- my Leadership Institute will grant you up to $750 to aid publication of your first issue. Well, what are you waiting for? Contact my Leadership Institute today and let us help you advance the conservative cause on your campus today. Fifty years of personal observation have proved to me that, even if conservative students leave journalism after graduation, those who publish their own campus papers tend to be much more successful in whatever career paths they take. P.S. It's time to stand up for free speech and hold universities accountable for their liberal biases and abuses. The choice is yours. Will you carve your path to success in the conservative movement with a publication of your own? Then contact Emily Larsen, Campus Reform's Student Publications Coordinator, at ELarsen@leadershipinstitute.org today.

Enjoy the 22Q with Gabriella Hoffman, conservative activist and Regional Field Coordinator at the Leadership Institute.The 22Q is an informal interview series with young conservatives, connected to LI, who are working in the public policy process. The 22 questions ask them to explain what they do, and how they see politics and the next generation of the conservative movement. Their opinions are their own, and are not endorsed by the Leadership Institute.--- Part 1: What I doHow I describe my job in 10 wordsWorking with students to advance conservatism on campus is rewardingMy day-to-day at work...in three sentencesChecking my email; updating our database with student contacts; reaching out to students via phone call, Facebook, or email; eating; talking with co-workers; researching and finding liberal bias.I couldn't do my job withoutSunny optimism. I try to be positive and happy all the time. Challenging the left can be daunting, so I try to make the best of things handed my way.Most important moment in my career (so far)Being mentioned on the Rush Limbaugh Show for an interview I did for FoxNews.com on January 11, 2013. He mentioned my thoughts about payroll tax expiration. I was in disbelief! My dad, a huge Rush fan, called me the moment he heard my name on the air. It was amazing.Unexpected skill that has helped me the mostI would say that multitasking has helped me the most. Juggling many things can be difficult at times, but it has proven to be beneficial in the work IThe best advice I have receivedMy dad once said, "In order to be equal, you have to be three times better than the rest." My parents taught me to work hard, to enjoy the fruits of my labor, and to be the best individual I could possibly be. Part 2: PoliticsThe biggest change I've seen already in politicsThe rise of political correctness and cultural Marxism. Too many people are easily offended and afraid to stand up for their beliefs out of fear of being ostracized. It's time to put bullies in their place.The element of working in politics that most surprised meWhat a small world conservative politics is. You meet people who know your friends or people who have some connection to you. It can be a curse or it can be a blessing.The most important issue many don't see yetThe threat of revisionist history. Whenever historical facts are twisted or misrepresented, people are taught to resent and equally despise this country. We cannot forget our past and allow lies to define our future.Where I think the movement will be in five yearsIf we continue to be conservative and push actual reforms, our movement will be successful. If we continue down this path of caving and moderation, we're doomed to be obsolete. There's already one leftist movement in America. We don't need another one.How I formed my political beliefsMy parents are Lithuanian immigrants who fled the Soviet Union. Therefore conservatism came naturally to me. Embracing collectivist or Marxist viewpoints was strictly forbidden in our house. Conservatism best encourages freedom and opportunity. Part 3: The next generationWhat I'd say to my 18-year-old selfI'd say that it's good that we kept our principles and didn't listen to detractors. Many people wanted me to fail, and I wouldn't let them have it. I tell my students and fellow conservative to never give up on their principles or change their views.Skill or experience I'd recommend students get nowSocial media. It's imperative for students to acquaint themselves with Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and similar media.Three things I'd tell every young political junkie to readGod and Man at Yale by William F. Buckley, the Drudge Report, and Counter CulturedMy most useful class in collegePolitics of the Middle East. My professor was a founder of the Political Science Department at the University of California at San Diego. He was fair and gave an accurate account of the Arab-Israeli conflict.I learned a lot about the Middle East thanks to his class. I learned to help students battle anti-Semitism and anti-Israelism on campus.Three future leaders from my generation1. Katie Pavlich, Townhall.com News Editor2. Ben Shapiro, author of Bullies: How the Left's Culture of Fear and Intimidation Silences Americans3. Ryan T. Anderson, Heritage Foundation Fellow and co-author of Why Marriage Matters Part 4: Me, personallyThe most fascinating figure in world historyWinston ChurchillMy heroes in fictionEdmund Dantes of Alexander Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo and Jay Gatsby of The Great GatsbyThe most inspiring art I've read, seen, or heard"Waterlilies" by French Impressionist painter Claude Monet. His countless paintings of waterlilies are captivating.I'd star in House of Cards or West Wing (choose one)House of CardsI can't get through my day withoutChatting it up with my coworkers. A healthy work environment is key to one's success at any job. A happy workplace makes for a happy employee!My connection to the Leadership InstituteI'm currently the Northeast Regional Field Coordinator. Prior to working at LI, I went to a Youth Leadership School in February 2010 and completed a TV training in summer 2012.>

“Abortion is the greatest human rights tragedy of our age,” Robert Colquhoun said. “Unborn children are incapable of defending themselves adequately, and therefore we must be a voice for the voiceless.” Thirty-year-old Robert Colquhoun is the campaign director for 40 Days For Life London. He also is the head of international outreach, for which he helps find supporters in new cities and countries across the globe who are interested and willing to start their own 40 days for life campaigns. “Currently we have 10 local campaigns in the UK and 19 countries around the world have run their own 40 days for life campaigns,” Robert said. “40 Days For Life is a locally organized community initiative encouraging Christians to pray and fast for an end to abortion. Since the campaign started, more than 7,500 lives have been saved from abortion, 32 abortion clinics have closed and 501 cities have participated in the campaign. We anticipate continuing to grow steadily around the world.” In 2004, there was an hour of prayer in College Station, Texas that activated the 40 Days For Life campaign that has now gone global with a presence in all 50 states and many countries. There are three parts to 40 Days for Life, Robert shared: fasting and prayer for an end to abortion; peaceful vigil to witness outside of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service; and Community outreach with positive and upbeat messages through media and advocacy. “A person is a person no matter how small! Modern technology is helping us to see and rejoice with pictures of children in the womb even from a very early stage of development,” Robert said. “The future of humanity passes by way of the family - we need to nourish, protect and cherish every human life.” “People can get involved in the pro-life movement, first by training themselves to know as much as possible about the cause and then finding local pro-life groups with which they can use their talents and abilities to make a difference. They can even get a 40 Days For Life campaign running in their city if there is not one already,” Robert shared. Part of getting trained is learning how to properly raise funds for the cause of your choice. So, Robert decided to enroll in the Leadership Institute's annual International School of Fundraising this past March. “I found the LI's International School of Fundraising extremely useful. It was fascinating to meet many people from around the world, and I have been thoroughly impressed by the quality of the publications and work from the Leadership Institute,” Robert shared. “I plan to use the knowledge and expertise I discovered at the school specifically for pro-life work in the UK. LI's training encouraged participants to consider donors more as collaborators with projects and to involve them as much with the organization as possible. I also discovered the importance of promptly thanking people for their gifts and being as professional and astute with personal relationships as possible.” He continued, “The Leadership Institute helps to train, equip and empower the conservative leaders of tomorrow.” So get trained today. Register online for an upcoming LI training near you here. Please congratulate and welcome Robert Colquhoun as LI's Graduate of the Week. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate or faculty member to be featured as LI's spotlight of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Day, formerly Lauren Hart, at Lauren@LeadershipInstitute.org.

If you're doing your job as a candidate or party leader, you're going out speaking with a lot of people you haven't met before. When they don't know much about you, it's human nature to make quick judgments based on what little information they do have.First time candidates, particularly for local office, often send signals that undermine credibility among potential supporters, costing them votes, volunteers, donations, or all three.People make decisions based on cues and signals, and initial impressions can have a lasting impact. Here are eight unforced errors you can easily avoid.Loner = loser. Speaking at the Chamber of Commerce lunch? Showing up by yourself tells everyone you have no supporters in the room. Instead, arrive with a volunteer whose job it is to accompany you while you're chatting with people, helping in taking down notes for follow up, and carrying endorsement cards. When working a crowd and confronted with that weirdo who wants to chew your ear off about privatizing sidewalks, have your body man leading you, setting up the next person to talk to, and politely motioning you to the next person when he sees you're pinned down. Bonus: Let a member of the group you're speaking to know you're coming, and have him meet you at the door when you arrive and walk in together to show other members you have support already.Flag ties. Ronald Reagan was a great American patriot, and he didn't have to prove it by wearing a flag tie — a novelty that you should probably put up on eBay. Want to show your patriotism? Wear a small flag pin on your lapel. Cheap-o pens. “Ok, let me write your number down.” While you're writing, the person standing in front of you is looking straight at your hand. If it's holding a two year old Bic with the end chewed off, you don't look as impressive. Mont Blanc gets $450 for a pen not because it doesn't matter, but because it does. Yours doesn't have to break the bank, but a proper pen sends a subtle signal you have your act together. FREE OFFER! Business cards. Companies like Vista Print have nice offers for “free!” business cards using very generic templates that people like me who meet candidates a thousand times have seen – about a thousand times. While you're at it, have Vista put “I'm not taking this race seriously enough to invest in sending the right message to donors, volunteers, and stakeholders.” Spend a few bucks more on proper business cards that show you mean business.“I lost weight!” shirt collars. So you dropped 20 lbs walking all those precincts – fantastic! But if you don't trade in those collared shirts for ones that fit your new neck size, you're going to look like an anorexic or an addict, and your sloppy appearance will show in all those photos posted to Facebook.Bush or Clinton era shoes. Look down right now. If those shoes weren't purchased during the Obama Administration, take them off, put them in the closet, and wear them for gardening. When you're at events, it's surprising how often people are looking down. High end Hugo Boss isn't required, but they should be new and clean.Dark button-down shirts. If you're wearing a black button-down shirt, a tie and a blazer, congratulations, you look like a bouncer at a bar. Ditch the Sopranos look for now and go with a white or light blue shirt. Still have doubts? Turn on C-SPAN. See any elected officials with your bouncer costume? Exactly.Rookie@gmail.com. That's the message you're sending with your “I'm using this email address until I lose” Gmail or Yahoo account. For $10 at GoDaddy.com you can register your own private domain name, then sign up to have email to that address forwarded to your regular email address.For women candidates: no question about it, you have a tougher job than the boys when it comes to attire. The press pays more attention to what women leaders wear, just ask Hillary Clinton. Yet in most cases, the target audience consists of voters and stakeholders, and not the press, so don't worry about the writeup. Rule of thumb: middle of the road. Too flashy or too mannish and you'll turn people off. Not too much jewelry and definitely not too much perfume. If you hug someone and they can smell of your Chanel an hour later, it was too much. More food for thought in this New York Times story – The Fashion Conservatives.People are careful with where they invest their vote, their time, and their money. Switching from amateur to pro before you hit the field helps you maximize the return on every hour you're putting into your campaign. Ron Nehring is a volunteer faculty member for the Leadership Institute, where he speaks at LI campaign management schools and activists workshops all across the country. Under Ron's leadership as the former chairman of the Republican Party of California, they raised more $73 million, permanently retired over $4 million in debt, and instituted a wide array of management and financial reforms. He currently serves as a consultant and is the chairman emeritus of the California Republican Party. Read his full bio here.This “Expert Insights” article is a part of a regular series which delves into the mechanics of political technology. LI staff, faculty, graduates, and conservative friends are welcome to submit an article by contacting Lauren Day at Lauren@LeadershipInstitute.org>

Enjoy the 22Q with Francesca Chambers, Editor of Red Alert Politics. Red Alert is an online publication managed by young conservatives, produced for young conservatives from the parent company of The Weekly Standard and The Washington Examiner.The 22Q is an informal interview series with young conservatives, connected to LI, who are working in the public policy process. The 22 questions ask them to explain what they do, and how they see politics and the next generation of the conservative movement. Their opinions are their own, and are not endorsed by the Leadership Institute.--- Part 1: What I doHow I describe my job in 10 wordsBringing news to young Americans from a center-right perspective.My day-to-day at work...in three sentencesMost days I start work at 8am or 9am and don't finish work until 8pm or 9pm. A large portion of my day is spent looking for story ideas for Red Alert's reporters and helping them shape their articles. I love appearing on TV because it serves as a nice break from the monotony of sitting behind a desk all day.I couldn't do my job withoutTwitter. Twitter has erased the barrier, in many cases, between the “old guard” media outlets and newer, online-only publications like Red Alert, The Daily Caller, and Buzzfeed. Also, my amazing team of reporters.Most important moment in my career (so far)Launching Red Alert Politics. Being offered the opportunity to launch my own publication was a dream come true. I will always be grateful to my then-boss Bob Benz for plucking me out of obscurity and taking a chance on me.Unexpected skill that has helped me the mostThe ability to “see” news stories everywhere I go. My fiancé and I joke that it's a disease because we'll be out running errands and – wham! – I'll be struck with a unique idea. Then I rush home so I can get it down in writing before I lose sight of it. It's impossible to turn off.The best advice I have receivedIf you have a positive attitude and work hard, someone will notice you and offer you a job. Likewise, no job is too small when you're starting out. I wish I'd heeded that one more often. Part 2: PoliticsThe biggest change I've seen already in politicsTwitter has completely changed the way campaigns are managed and reported. Twitter is both a politician's best friend and worst enemy. Candidates who run their own Twitter accounts are more likeable because they seem more down-to-earth. But we all know the pitfalls of Twitter as well…The element of working in politics that most surprised meI hated working directly for candidates.The most important issue many don't see yetStudent loan debt. It really is the next bubble – and all of us who borrowed responsibly will be on the hook (through taxes) to pay back the federal loans of those who didn't.Where I think the movement will be in five yearsThe conservative movement is at a crossroads. Social and fiscal conservatives seem poised to split and head down totally different political paths, with many fiscal conservatives joining the ranks of the libertarian movement. The next presidential election will be a good measurement of where the movement truly stands.How I formed my political beliefsI grew up in Kansas. I was born a Republican. My parents weren't well off, and I had to work for everything I've ever had. I bought my first car. I paid my own way through college. That kind of life experience makes you really cringe at the idea of your hard-earned money involuntarily going to other people who aren't willing to work hard for what they have. Part 3: The next generationWhat I'd say to my 18-year-old selfDon't be so dramatic. Chin up; it will get better. You have your whole life ahead of you still.Attending an in-state school with low tuition is the best decision you will ever make.Don't let anyone else define you.Skill or experience I'd recommend students get nowLearn to write compelling editorials. If you want to work in government relations, public relations, campaigns, or on Capitol Hill, you need to be able to write decent opinion articles promoting your client, cause, or product.Three things I'd tell every young political junkie to readRed Alert Politics and its sister publications The Weekly Standard and The Washington Examiner, of course! Outside of my attempts at shameless self-promotion, you absolutely need to be reading POLITICO and the Huffington Post.My most useful class in collegeIn one of my mid-level journalism classes, they made us learn how to write press releases, shoot and edit video, copy edit, etc. – things that had nothing to do with print reporting. I hated the class, but now I'm appreciative. It was my ability to do those things that made me an asset.Three future leaders from my generationBethany Bowra, Brandon Kiser, and Shoshana Weissmann Part 4: Me, personallyThe most fascinating figure in world historyJesus. I know that sounds trite, but He really does fascinate me.My heroes in fictionDagny Taggert of Atlas Shrugged. The world could use more strong, conservative females like her. (I don't get a lot of time to read fiction anymore; read it while you still have time, kids!)The most inspiring art I've read, seen, or heardI'm a huge fan of Degas. When I own an original Degas dancer painting, I'll know I've made it.Earlier this year I went to see Starry Night and The Scream at the Museum of Modern Art. They really are the works of art they are said to be. Go see the exhibit if you get a chance.I'd star in House of Cards or West Wing (choose one)West Wing. I'd be the White House press secretary after C.J. becomes the Chief of Staff.I can't get through my day withoutChecking Twitter, even if it's just for a minute. I'm addicted. My now-fiance almost declined a second date with me because I looked at my phone once during the date. Now he's worse than me (and has more followers). I can only blame myself.My connection to the Leadership InstituteI worked for Campus Reform for the first half of 2011 and served as a new media faculty member. I'm a graduate of several trainings, including the television training – which I highly recommend.>

Why waste another year, another day, another second working for something you have no passion for? For Meghan Gray, not a single moment is wasted. She's working within her “sweet spot,” as New York Times best-selling author Max Lucado coined for people who use their natural talents and motivation to find purpose and meaning in work. A May 2012 graduate of Columbia College Chicago with degrees in journalism and public relations, former Leadership Institute intern Meghan Gray, just 23, has landed her dream job: combining event planning with fundraising activities. She's the development commissioner at COR Strategies, an innovative political solutions company specializing in strategy, integrated marketing communications, technology, and operations. “Not many people are fortunate enough to land their dream job fresh out of college, so I consider myself very blessed,” Meghan shared with me. She applied for the position through LI's ConservativeJobs.com. “I attribute much of my success to the Leadership Institute and the opportunities that have presented themselves since attending my first training. In fact, it was through ConservativeJobs.com that I applied for my current position with COR Strategies,” she said. One of the most unique projects Meghan has worked on since her August 2012 hire was Entrepreneur's Eve, an annual event of 140-plus companies and 650 of Chicago's leading entrepreneurs and civic leaders “to lift a glass to the American dream in all of us,” Meghan shared. All proceeds went directly to the H Foundation for cancer research. “Attending an overwhelmingly liberal college in President Obama's backyard taught me that liberty is not guaranteed. It must be fought for and preserved with each generation,” Meghan said. And, she's fighting for liberty. Last year, Illinois Conservatives awarded Meghan as one of the “Top 30 under 30” for her commitment to Illinois politics through her expertise in development and campaigns. “I have been passionate about politics since sixth grade,” Meghan said, “and I am committed to turning Illinois red.” She's currently the events director for the Lake County Young Republicans club in the Chicago area. Meghan was on the Mitt Romney Advance Team in 2012, for which she helped organize rallies, events, and fundraisers across the nation for the presidential race and support Gov. Romney as well as travel with media and campaign surrogates. “I am incredibly honored to have been even a small part of such an amazing cause,” Meghan said in reference to the presidential campaign, “and consider this one of the most humbling and awe-inspiring experiences of my life.” Meghan first learned of the Leadership Institute from a friend and immediately registered for a Youth Leadership School in July 2011. Six months later, she started her internship in LI's Events department. She took more trainings at the Institute during her three months in Arlington, Virginia. “Through the various trainings I have attended with LI, I have learned how to write an effective campaign plan, develop a comprehensive public relations strategy, and organize a campaign staff and structure. Most importantly I've learned how to win elections,” Meghan said. “The Leadership Institute has equipped me with the tools and skill set necessary to make a difference in the conservative movement. I could not be more thankful for LI and the hard work of individuals like Morton Blackwell.” While interning for the Leadership Institute in the spring of 2012, Meghan volunteered for The LS Group, for which she assisted with events for Congressman Connie Mack and helped plan Ann Romney's private birthday celebration. Please congratulate Meghan Gray for landing her dream job and please welcome her as LI's Graduate of the Week. To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate or faculty member to be featured as LI's spotlight of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Day, formerly Lauren Hart, at Lauren@LeadershipInstitute.org.

Your online content is how many people judge you these days.I Google strangers all the time to find information about them. What used to be creepy is now the norm.Make sure your online brand shows others what you want them to see. Here are the bare necessities:- LinkedIn – get a profile, fill it with your expertise, and connect to as many friends and professional contacts as possible. It's not a very active site (read – you only have to do something with it when you change jobs or learn a new skill), but LinkedIn is the best way for people to browse your professional expertise and network.- Twitter – hey, I'm in new media. If you have a twitter account, post about what you're interested in, and also what you claim expertise in – and keep it up to date.- Facebook – it doesn't have to be public, but keep the public part of your profile at least semi-professional looking. Make sure your profile pic, cover photo, about you, and favorite quotes sections are things your boss could see – because she can.- Blog –use Wordpress or Tumblr to make your blog look nice for free. And remember – like everything else online, act like the world is judging you by your content – because it is.And side note – use a first and last name sort of email. The world looks down on supergirl@aol.com sending professional emails.So, go out there and show the world a better you – online.>

Enjoy the 22Q with Bonnie Kristian, Communications Director of Young Americans for Liberty (YAL), the largest, most active, and fastest-growing pro-liberty organization on America's college campuses.The 22Q is an informal interview series with young conservatives, connected to LI, who are working in the public policy process. The 22 questions ask them to explain what they do, and how they see politics and the next generation of the conservative movement. Their opinions are their own, and are not endorsed by the Leadership Institute.--- Part 1: What I doHow I describe my job in 10 wordsWriting, editing, and adding GIFs to all of YAL's communicationsMy day-to-day at work...in three sentencesI write a lot of emails, reports, and activism guides for YAL members and donors. I manage a social media intern, a graphic designer, and a team of 250+ student bloggers. And I serve as human Google for coworkers' miscellaneous grammar questions.I couldn't do my job withoutThe internet. Obviously. When the internet goes down, I can do little to no work. Almost everything I do is online.Most important moment in my career (so far)This is hard. But I've got to go with getting an internship on Ron Paul's 2008 campaign. That was my first introduction to working in politics, and it opened doors which led to my positions first at the Leadership Institute and now at YAL.As a bonus, it's where I met my husband.Unexpected skill that has helped me the mostMicrosoft Paint! I'm mostly kidding, but it is helpful for quick (read: awful) mock-ups of what I'm trying to order from our graphic designer. He tells me my Paint works are fantastic, but I think this might be a lie.The best advice I have receivedPeople have half the attention span online that they have when consuming physical, printed information, so when writing online communications -- from emails to blog posts and everything in between -- always keep it short.Brevity is not just the soul of wit; it's also a major determining factor of whether your online audience is ignoring you. Part 2: PoliticsThe biggest change I've seen already in politicsSimple: the rise of the liberty movement. In 2007 Ron Paul was laughed at for his consistent support for small government at home and abroad. Now the Republican Party is increasingly willing to come our way.The CPAC 2013 straw poll results -- especially the questions about drones, foreign policy, and attendees' top priority in politics (not to mention the presidential picks) -- are very revealing of the change we are seeing in the GOP.The element of working in politics that most surprised meIt really is who you know. This is a cliche, I know, and probably something I should have expected, but the extent to which personal connections play a role in getting jobs, cooperating with other organizations, and succeeding in most aspects of working in politics can't be overestimated.The most important issue many don't see yetWar is just one more big government program. If we're going to be serious about limiting government, there can't be any more sacred cows.Defense is the primary purpose of government, of course, but having troops in more than three-fourths of countries around the world while maintaining multiple no-win wars is aggression, not defense -- and conservatives would (rightly) oppose any similarly out-of-control program here at home.Where I think the movement will be in five yearsThe conservative movement is heading slowly but surely in the direction of liberty -- and I think that's fantastic. It's clear that the enthusiasm among young conservatives is overwhelmingly on the libertarian end of the spectrum, and in five years I think the movement as a whole will be much more in line with where the youth are already going.How I formed my political beliefsI got interested in free-market economics in high school after reading Henry Hazlitt's classic Economics in One Lesson. From there, it was a matter of figuring out where I stood on a larger range of issues, having already established a commitment to individual liberty and small government. I majored in political science, so I had plenty of opportunities to do that in college. Part 3: The next generationWhat I'd say to my 18-year-old selfDon't stop reading. All the studying to finish college early will be worth it.Don't be so quiet. People want to hear what you have to say.Don't get that perm. It will not turn out well.Skill or experience I'd recommend students get nowAbove all, learn to write well. It's an employer's market these days, and no one wants to hire a kid who can't write a coherent sentence. When I review intern applications, I place far more weight on writing ability than, for instance, the applicant's college major -- and everyone I know in a hiring position does the same.As a very close second: pick up some HTML, CSS, and more advanced coding skills if you have time. In any office setting, if you're the one who can troubleshoot the blog until tech looks at it, that's a good thing.Three things I'd tell every young political junkie to readLiberty Defined by Ron Paul. Even if you don't agree with everything he says, this quick overview of his ideas on 50 major issues of our day is perfect for those who want to systematically think through their own political convictions.Books and articles by people you disagree with -- especially if you're worried that doing so will make you change your mind. Insulating yourself from conflicting ideas puts you in danger of being more interested in feeling right than seeking truth.Nothing too serious on the weekends. Okay, so it doesn't have to be the weekend, but take a day off from politics from time to time. Read a novel. Watch TV. The country won't go to hell in a handbasket because you missed one news article.My most useful class in collegeLogic. No question about it. It's not like I'm making syllogisms on a daily basis, but in politics it never hurts to fine-tune your logic deficiency detection tools.Three future leaders from my generationRep. Justin Amash. One of the youngest members of Congress, Rep. Amash is smart, principled, transparent, and he personally runs a hilarious Twitter account.Jeff Frazee. Is it sucking up to list my boss? Probably. But Jeff is the founder of Young Americans for Liberty as well as our Executive Director, and YAL is the largest, most active, and fastest-growing liberty organization on America's college campuses. All this, and Jeff only just turned 30!Sen. Rand Paul. OK, so he's old enough to be my dad, but Rand Paul's pro-liberty ideas represent my generation -- and compared to members of the GOP establishment like John McCain and Lindsey Graham, he's young too. Part 4: Me, personallyThe most fascinating figure in world historyIt's a three-way tie among C.S. Lewis, Gladys Alyward, and Beyonce.My heroes in fictionSherlock Holmes, Robin Hood, Peter Wimsey, Doctor Who (technically TV, yes, but not reality TV, so I'm going with it), Hercule Poirot, Father Brown -- are you noticing a trend? I read a lot of late 19th and 20th century British mystery novels.The most inspiring art I've read, seen, or heardThere's a band called Gungor, whose music is at once modern and liturgical. Their last three albums -- and particularly 2010's Beautiful Things -- are simply incredible in terms of musical skill, lyrical beauty, and ability to communicate theological truth. I say this as someone who is really terrible at appreciating music.I'd star in House of Cards or West Wing (choose one)I've never seen West Wing, so I guess House of Cards? But I think my role would be really short because I'd be too naive and get fired or something. I can't get through my day withoutHanging out with my guinea pig. Contrary to popular belief, guinea pigs can be pets for grown-ups!My connection to the Leadership InstituteMorton Blackwell, LI's president, hired me straight out of college and gave me my first "real" job, as he has done for so many young people who want to get their foot in the door of politics. I was able to move to the DC area and helped LI launch Campus Reform as its first dedicated staff member.My current organization, Young Americans for Liberty, rents office space from LI, so I haven't strayed too far.>

Early this year, Lauren Day sought out the responsibility of overseeing LI's role at the Conservative Political Action Conference 2013 -- no small task and one she did not have to assume. And was CPAC ever a success for the Institute. The trainings, job fair, and happy hour were all well-attended. The booth was stocked with eye-catching marketing materials and trained staff. Lauren worked tirelessly to promote LI's events at CPAC, supply training coordinators with needed materials, and -- behind the scenes -- negotiate the very best deals for LI with ACU staff. Many staff join me in remarking on how well run CPAC was this year. I suspect all will join me in commending Lauren's enthusiasm and dedication to the Institute. Naming her employee of the quarter today recognizes her work on CPAC, but also the dozens of good projects she has accomplished for LI -- often without credit or praise. Lauren is an invaluable part of LI's team, and I am pleased to name her employee of the quarter.