Donna and Darnell Pettengill Civic Leadership Academy

July 7-9, 2025
Des Moines, Iowa

Accelerate your leadership growth! Drake University’s Donna and Darnell Pettengill Civic Leadership Academy is an exclusive opportunity for high school juniors to learn from scholars, policymakers, and thought leaders.

The Pettengill Civic Leadership Academy immerses 28 high school students in an intensive and rewarding leadership development program that gives students the skills to stand out as student leaders.

There is no cost to students to attend; meals, lodging, and fun evening activities will be provided. Students will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the Drake University campus in Des Moines, Iowa.

Submit your written essay or video essay by March 28, 2025. Applicants will be notified in May 2025.

Essay Information

Please answer the required essay question and select two additional questions to answer. You can submit your essay answers in two ways:

Written Essay (maximum 2 pages in length)
Video Essay (maximum 5 minutes in length; 32 MB maximum file size)

Required essay question:

What interests you about the Pettengill Civic Leadership Academy? What do you hope to gain by participating in the academy?

Pick two additional essay questions to answer:

Describe the leadership roles you hold in your school and/or community. How have these roles inspired you to become more engaged in civic leadership?
If you have not held leadership roles, what challenges have you faced, and what motivates you to become more involved in civic leadership?
Describe how your character influences your leadership skills. How do you plan to use your leadership skills to make an impact in your community?

Your Information

First Name*

Preferred First Name

Last Name*

Email Address*

Mobile Phone*

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Yes

No

Mailing Address*

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

Birthdate*

T-Shirt Size*

Your Education

High School*
Please begin typing school name and/or the city/state then select from the suggested options. Search for 969999 if you are homeschooled.

CEEB (Hidden/Required)

It looks like you didn't select a school from the list. Please enter your school name and/or the city/state and select from the list that appears!

Current GPA*

Are you currently a junior during the 2024-25 school year?*

Yes

No

Please provide more information about your educational status.*

Academic Major Interest 1*

Would you like to add a second major interest?

Yes

No

Academic Major Interest 2*

Parent/Guardian Information

Type*

Parent/Guardian First Name*

Parent/Guardian Last Name*

Parent/Guardian Phone Number*

School and Community Engagement

Please list your current extracurricular school activities, including any leadership roles held.*

Please list your current civic community engagement activities, including any leadership roles held.*

Essay

I would like to upload*

Written Essay

Video Essay

Please upload your written essay (1-2 pages).*

Please upload your video essay (max 5 minutes; 32MB max file size).*

Essay Information

Please answer the required essay question and select two additional questions to answer. You can submit your essay answers in two ways:

Written Essay (maximum 2 pages in length)
Video Essay (maximum 5 minutes in length; 32 MB maximum file size)

Required essay question:

What interests you about the Pettengill Civic Leadership Academy? What do you hope to gain by participating in the academy?

Pick two additional essay questions to answer:

Describe the leadership roles you hold in your school and/or community. How have these roles inspired you to become more engaged in civic leadership?
If you have not held leadership roles, what challenges have you faced, and what motivates you to become more involved in civic leadership?
Describe how your character influences your leadership skills. How do you plan to use your leadership skills to make an impact in your community?

Donna and Darnell Pettengill Civic Leadership Academy

July 7-9, 2025 Des Moines, Iowa

July 7-9, 2025
Des Moines, Iowa