Hampton University sophomore Lauren Pryor of Gloucester is enjoying her participation in the 2013 Emerging Leaders Program sponsored by The Gloucester Institute.

Lauren said the program is helping her and other participants enhance their critical thinking, writing, public speaking, networking and financial literacy skills. It also stresses the value and importance of community service.

"They’re important skills for a college student about to be in the real world," said Lauren. "It’s a magnificent program. We learn from each other’s different levels of professionalism and we bond like a family."

Since its founding nearly a decade ago, the Emerging Leaders Program has offered students from colleges and universities across Virginia a chance to learn from leaders in the political, business, and media arenas, including such notables as Gov. Bob McDonnell, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Newport News), Verizon Virginia president Robert Woltz and former Richmond Times-Dispatch e...