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Women undergraduate students interested in attending a free five-day residential institute focused on public policy and leadership education have only two more days to submit their applications.

Iowa N.E.W. Leadership is a program sponsored by the Women's Resource and Action Center at the University of Iowa. Sponsorships have been collected to cover the cost of food, housing and program materials. Women accepted to the program will need to arrange their own transportation to and from Iowa City.

The program, which will run from June 1 to 6 on the University of Iowa campus, features Lt. Gov. Patty Judge as keynote speaker. Former Iowa Sen. Maggie Tinsman and Dale McCormick, director of the Maine State Housing Authority, will be faculty-in-residence. The program is designed to encourage college women to take on public leadership roles by providing the positive role models of successful women leaders.

Originally developed in 1991 by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, the program has been conducted at 17 universities throughout the nation. The Iowa program is open to any female two- or four-year college or university student. This includes Iowa residents who are currently attending school as undergraduates in other states. Women who apply do not have to be currently involved in a political science major or formal political roles.

Students and practitioners from across the state will be brought together to discuss national and local policy issues and to learn about the roles women have historically played in the development of public policy.

Interested women should submit an application before the end of business on Friday. The institute will accept 30 women and all accepted applicants will be notified by April 4. Organizers are hopeful that participants will represent diverse identities, academic majors and political affiliations. Participants, according to program coordinator Jessica Hook, are selected through a competitive application process.

The Women's Resource and Action Center is a department within the Division of Student Services at the University of Iowa that is dedicated to fostering women's individual empowerment. The Center, officially organized in 1974, leads and collaborates on projects that serve students, staff, faculty and the greater Iowa City community.