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You're Invited!

The PLC Board is hosting a��PLC Alumni Tailgate��prior to the��Nov. 4th Homecoming game��in conjunction with the CU Alumni Association.�� There will be food, drinks, music and opportunities to engage with fellow PLC alumni...all for FREE!�� There's no better way to spend your pre-game time!

To Register for the PLC Alumni Homecoming event use this link:

** Please share this link with your PLC contacts through social media and personal contacts!

Calling our most engaged Alums & Advocates! The Alumni Association is recruiting new members for the Forever Buffs Advisory Board. Serving on the board is a great opportunity to share your time, talents, and CU pride to further the mission of the Alumni Association and engage with fellow Buffs. Learn more online:��/alumniboard/

If you have an event that you would like to invite other PLC alumni to or if you would like to give a shout-out to your fellow alumni, you can simply use the link provided below and fill out a Google form. Your submission may be featured in the next edition of the newsletter.

Alumni Newsletter Submission Link

Susan Schwartz is from the 1988 cohort and is currently a reporter at The Press Enterprise in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.��

Why did you pick PLC and what are a few of your favorite memories?

I was told there was a program at the university for potential leaders that came with a scholarship. ��I was honored to be invited to apply. ��But I was so nervous when I went for the interview, I tried to exit the room afterward through what turned out to be the door of a closet! ��I was accepted anyway. I loved the weekend team-building exercises, when we tried to pass each other through a fake spider web, and cross a pretend lava river with too-short planks. ��We had a particularly charismatic PLCer named Copil who could do awesome yoyo tricks and knew people wherever we went. ��And ��I still think of some of the things we learned then - how inspired I was by a fellow PLCer (sorry, I don’t remember who) who insisted “we leave no one behind” during the lava exercise, for example. I also think a lot about a line from “The Tao of Leadership,” which I read in the class, something to the effect of: When a poor leader and his/her group reach their destination, the people say “He did this - he brought us here.” ��When a good leader and his/her group arrive at their goal, the people say “We did this.”

Why are you a reporter? What are some recommendations you have for PLCers seeking a position similar to yours?

Knowledge is power; by working as a reporter, I’m giving that power to the people in my community, regardless of whether they are rich or poor. Most people can afford a newspaper, and it's available for free at local libraries. With my articles, I uncover problems so that readers know they need solving. I help bind the community together by letting them know what different groups are doing and what concerns different people have. I help celebrate achievements. And I create a historic record of what it’s like to live here. PLCers who want to work in a similar job need to have open minds, a passion for letting people know what’s happening, and a lot of curiosity about the world around them. It’s the best job in the world - I get paid to go to events and research issues that are interesting or important or both!

What keeps you busy besides work?

I’m the treasurer and one of the volunteer lay leaders of a small synagogue. I play recorder, harp and other early music instruments, and recently became director of a weekend early music workshop. I hike and backpack and kayak. I find music and the outdoors re-energize me. The synagogue gives me space to reflect and determine what might help me improve myself.

What are contemporary topics that leaders are facing in the future?

I think the biggest problem facing local leaders is the breakdown of community. People are retreating into their individual bubbles, and no longer interacting with those who don’t think like they do. ��They’re also volunteering less. This means we’re less willing and able to work together when a crisis arises. And the volunteers who used to provide a lot of services - firefighting, raising money for the library, tutoring children, taking care of hiking trails - are disappearing. ��That will make it a lot harder to solve the other issues we face, such as global warming, the rise of racism and antisemitism, and the increasing gaps between the rich and poor.

Advice to PLCers (past, present, and future)?

It’s important to have values and beliefs, but you also have to be able to listen to and understand other people’s points of view. Remember that everything and everyone is interconnected. So be kind. The bartender could be related to the person you’re complaining about over drinks. The kid who makes your coffee could someday be your teammate or your boss. ��And everyone carries burdens you don’t know about - the person who was rude to you may have just received terrible news and is at the end of his/her rope.��Nothing lasts forever, good or bad. ��This is sometimes a tragedy, but is often one of life’s saving graces. So treasure your time with your friends and family, and don’t sweat it too much if you get a bad grade or two, as long as you’re still learning. Since graduating, no one has ever asked to see my transcript. ��But they do care about the work I did at my internships, and how well I apply the skills I learned in school to my job.

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Karen Steinhauser graduated in 1978 from CU and resides in Denver, Colorado. She is a Deposition and Trial Skills Instructor, Implicit Bias Trainer, Relief Judge, and Adjuct Law Professor.��

Why did you decide to join PLC and what are a few of your favorite memories?

I got an invite and a scholarship before there was the internet so I don’t even remember applying. Since PLC was still fairly new, there wasn't as much as there is now. There were some field trips and it was really nice to meet neat people.��

What does a normal day look like for you?

Each day is different. I sit the bench 1-2 times a week and I teach Evidence and Trial advocacy and Implicit Bias. A few weeks ago, I went to a National conference of judges.��

What is your type of leadership style?

I couldn't pick just one leadership style. However, I believe in being fair, equitable, and inclusive.��

Advice to PLCers (past, present, and future)?

• Find your passion. Passion over profit. Make money and love what you do, you can get burnt out and discouraged if you do not follow your passion.��
• Continually ask yourself if you are where you should be.��If not/no, make a change.
• Never say never.
• You may not love everything the same, but you will��learn something from what you do and each experience you have.
• Be a lifelong learner, will help you continue to grow.��

Biggest takeaway from PLC?

Back then, PLC was quite corporate heavy. It is very important to get exposed to all kinds of businesses and organizations. Something that I seek out are locally owned businesses as well as minority owners.��

Do you have opportunties for students to get involved?

Yes! People are welcome to come visit classes I teach in person. In November, there are also opportunties for individuals to serve as a juror for a mock trial. The court is also always open and��people are welcome to attend (my time on bench varies).��

A few years ago, the Presidents Leadership Class created Class Champions to reconnect with all alumni in preparation for the 50th Anniversary celebration of PLC. We extend our utmost gratitude to the hard-working and dedicated volunteers who put in a lot of time and effort into this massive undertaking. Thanks to their efforts, almost 200 people were able to return to campus and celebrate 50 years of this special program! Now that the goal of the 50th has been accomplished, we have decided to discontinue Class Champions and encourage alumni to stay connected through the many available platforms. Here are the best ways to stay updated on what's happening with PLC:

• The Alumni Newsletter: Our amazing alumni will continue to be recognized, upcoming events will be shared (with an opportunity for you to create and submit an alumni event that we will advertise), and we will provide ongoing program updates.

• PLC Social Media: Our Facebook and LinkedIn pages have been around for a while, and we will continue to utilize these platforms to share events and updates. Starting this year, a current student will manage a dedicated PLC Alumni Instagram account. We will use Instagram to showcase the achievements of our alumni and share events and engagement opportunities!

• PLC Alumni Webpage: The PLC website will receive a much-needed facelift this summer and will be a great platform to see what's new with the program, along with opportunities to engage, such as our mentorship program.

• Forever Buffs Network: We partnered with the 51�Թ��� Alumni Association to create our own Presidents Leadership Group on the Forever Buffs Network (FBN). The FBN is a wonderful new platform that allows alumni to easily connect, view each other's locations and profiles, but remains private to only group members (approval comes only from PLC staff). Learn more about the FBN and PLC��here.

We're excited to continue the strong partnership and community that has always existed between the PLC program and its alumni!

Do you know a senior in high school that should apply to be in PLC? Would you like us to send them an email with information and encouragement? PLC is searching for its next cohort, and we want your input! As alumni of the program, we know that you can identify young people with the potential to change the world. These are the students that we are searching for. We invite you to nominate exceptional high school seniors and current college freshmen using the form below. Our team will reach out to the students you recommend to share more about the program and application process.��

Thank you for continuing to be an integral part of our community! Fill out the form here:��

With gratitude,
CORPS team

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