There is virtually no systematic research on local leadership in greater Los Angeles. Southern Californians and Their Leaders aims to fill the void of understanding concerning how our leaders view contemporary Los Angeles, the opportunities and constraints they face, and the conditions that facilitate leadership. Current activities include leadership roundtables, public opinion polls and leadership surveys, leadership internships, and a leadership lecture series. LMU students learn about leadership through a combination of academic and experiential activities, and the Center's applied research enriches the civic dialogue. For example, studies such as Rebuilding the Dream: A New Housing Agenda for Los Angeles and Los Angeles Ten Years After the Riots have received widespread attention by journalists, civic leaders, and policy makers.

This scholarship, named for former LMU Political Science Professor and Chair Dr. William Fitzgerald, is for LMU students requiring assistance with expenses for various Institute programs. These include the Hansard Scholars Program, White House Internship, LMU-Oxford Scholars Summer Program, and other internships.

Washington D.C. Internships
The Institute, in coordination with The Washington Center, co-sponsors a series of semester-long internships in government agencies and public interest offices in Washington D.C.

White House Intern Program
Through the assistance of LMU trustee Tony Coelho, the Institute initiated an annual White House Internship Program in 1995. As part of the program, one LMU student is chosen annually to intern at the White House over the summer months. Besides the practical work experience and knowledge gained from such an internship, interns participate in a weekly speaker series, job-skill workshop, and evening issue lectures. Seminars are on a wide range of job-related issues ranging from time management to career planning. Participating LMU students have the opportunity to work in various departments of the White House.

Hansard Scholars Program
  The Institute, in conjunction with the Honorable Graham Allen, member of the British Parliament, initiated an annual U.S.-Britain Hansard Fellows program. Hansard Scholars attend the prestigious London School of Economics & Government while working as interns for Allen in the House of Commons. At the London School of Economics & Government, students take courses in British Politics & Government and Public Policy. As part of the program, LMU students are exposed to the volatile world of British politics firsthand while receiving a full semester's academic credit through their studies at the London School of Economics

Oxford Scholars Summer Program
This program takes place at Queen's College at Oxford University. Held over the summer, the program includes upper division courses with lectures by Oxford dons and the Hon. Graham Allen, member of the British Parliament.

The Los Angeles Area Leadership Survey
The Institute interviews elected officials and business and community leaders on a three-year rotating basis. The surveys address issues facing the city in order to assist in creating a public dialogue on the problems of the region.

For more information about Southern California and Their Leader please contact the Center for the Study of Los Angeles.