Virginia State University Named Home Of The Don Scott High School Leadership Program
Through hands-on research in the BioDIGS Project, VSU students are helping uncover thousands of previously unknown soil microbes.
Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates Don Scott today announced the official launch of the Don Scott High School Leadership Program, a new, selective civic leadership initiative housed at Virginia State University’s John Mercer Langston Institute for African American Political Leadership (JMLI).
The program, which will accept a highly selective cohort of 7–10 African American high school seniors from across the Commonwealth, is designed to prepare the next generation of Black civic leaders through immersive instruction in public policy, leadership development, and community engagement.
“This program is about building a pipeline,” said Speaker Don Scott. “A pipeline of young people who understand power, policy, and the responsibility we have to serve our communities with integrity. I am honored to support a program that will help prepare Virginia’s future leaders to walk into rooms informed, confident, and ready to lead.”
The Don Scott High School Leadership Program officially opened applications on Friday, January 30, with scholars selected later this winter. The program will launch with a mandatory opening session at the Virginia State Capitol, followed by leadership sessions on the campus of Virginia State University and a two-day closing residency.
The initiative is led by the John Mercer Langston Institute for African American Political Leadership, a flagship leadership and civic education institute at Virginia State University focused on cultivating Black political thought, leadership, and public service.
“This program reflects our belief that leadership must be taught, nurtured, and practiced early,” said Dr. Wes Bellamy, Executive Director of the John Mercer Langston Institute. “We are intentionally investing in a small cohort of scholars so we can pour deeply into their development and prepare them not just for college—but for service.”
The program will expose students to:
- Black political history and civic traditions
- Virginia’s legislative and policy-making process
- Public speaking, media training, and leadership identity
- Direct mentorship from elected officials and civic leaders
Participation in the program is fully funded, ensuring that cost is not a barrier for admitted students.
Speaker Scott emphasized that the program aligns with his broader commitment to expanding opportunity, representation, and civic literacy across Virginia.
“When young people understand how government works—and how to navigate it—they are harder to silence,” Scott said. “This program is about empowerment through knowledge.”
Applications for the Don Scott High School Leadership Program are now open and will close on Wednesday, February 25th. Scholars will be notified of selection on Friday, February 27th.