Established by former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan and the university's Department of Political Science, the Center for Civic Leadership helps to prepare students for leadership roles in public service and as world citizens. The Center sponsors seminars and symposia led by prominent public figures and provides scholarships for students who demonstrate leadership potential.

Past speakers hosted by the Center have included then-U.S. Senate candidate Barack Obama, U.S. Senator Mark Kirk, Washington Post columnists Bob Woodward and David Broder, CNN's Peter Bergen, Children's Defense Fund Director Marian Wright Edelman, University of Chicago legal scholar Cass R. Sunstein, and human rights advocate Paul Rusesabagina.

We invite you to explore The Center's website to learn more about our programs, as well as about the special opportunities we can offer students interested in politics and public service.