Loeb Passport to Leadership Program
Kickstart your college journey with an unprecedented global experience during your very first year at LSU. The Loeb Passport to Leadership Program (LPLP) is a groundbreaking initiative – the very first of its kind in the Southeastern Conference – designed to fundamentally reshape your undergraduate experience by opening doors to world exploration during your second semester of your first year of college. This unique 3-credit spring course is co-taught by two dynamic faculty members who will guide you through a powerful exploration of Leadership, Service, and Global Citizenship. Your journey begins in the classroom at the start of the spring term and culminates in a life-changing international experience in Kenya during Spring Break.
This program is intentionally designed to level the playing field. By removing financial and structural obstacles, The Loeb Passport to Leadership Program creates a fully accessible pathway for students from lower-income backgrounds, including Pell-eligible students, who possess a deep desire to explore the world but face financial barriers. It is also uniquely structured to accommodate students in rigorous academic disciplines, like engineering, whose demanding curriculums traditionally make studying abroad nearly impossible.
Research consistently shows that students who study abroad perform better in the classroom and graduate earlier. The course is also an officially designated Service-Learning (SL) credit-bearing course. Research also demonstrates that service-learning coursework positively impacts student success across multiple measures. By joining this select cohort of peers, you will set a powerful trajectory for your entire college career, unlock your unlimited potential, and make a profound global impact right from the start.
Leadership
Program Eligibility
As the first initiative of its kind in the SEC, this program is intentionally structured to remove financial and structural barriers. It provides an accessible, partially funded pathway for first-year students from lower-income backgrounds, including Pell-eligible students, as well as those in rigorous academic disciplines like engineering whose demanding schedules traditionally prevent study abroad. By joining this elite cohort, you will unlock your unlimited potential, achieve higher academic success, and set a powerful trajectory for your entire college career.
Freshman Students
Demonstrated Financial Need (Pell-Eligible Students, etc.)
Program Application Materials:
Application Form
Letter of Interest
The Office of Global Engagement (OGE) oversees the highly competitive and selective application process for this cohort. Because space is strictly limited for this groundbreaking program, OGE will host a series of information sessions during the early fall semester to guide prospective applicants through the program requirements and expectations. Following a rigorous initial review of applications, a select group of students will be invited for formal interviews later in the fall. Finalists chosen to join this historic inaugural cohort for this program in 2026-2027 will receive an official invitation via email.
Thanks to a visionary and generous gift from Stephen Loeb, the extensive expenses of this groundbreaking international experience are fully covered. The Loeb Passport to Leadership program removes traditional financial barriers by funding your core travel costs, including all major expenses related to the fieldwork and study experience in Kenya. Selected participants are only responsible for a $1,500 non-refundable program deposit. This flat deposit locks in your spot in the cohort and serves as your all-access pass to a life-changing global journey that would traditionally cost thousands more, ensuring this unique opportunity remains within your reach.
For any questions, please direct your email to Shay Chaix.
FAQ
No. The course is offered as a section of HNRS 2020, but it is open to first-year students across the university through its general-education designation.
No. The program is built for students who have not studied abroad. Pre-departure workshops cover travel documents, health and safety, cultural preparation, and what to expect, and you will travel with a cohort of 30 students and three faculty leaders.
Yes. The course carries three credit hours toward the Integrative Learning Core. HNRS 2020 fulfills General Education requirements for English Composition, Humanities, or Social Sciences, applicable in all majors.
Yes, a passport and visa will be required for travel to Kenya. The Office of Global Engagement is responsible for the costs associated with these two documents and OGE will assist you with this request.
No. The program is part of the course, and the semester of preparation is what makes the week work.
Register with LSU Disability Services and contact the teaching team as early as you can, and at least eight weeks before departure. Some accommodations that are routine on campus need advance arrangement abroad.
About six hours a week, going to reading, reflection entries, and preparing the service project. During the week in Kenya, the days are full.
The Office of Global Engagement will cover the following as part of this program: flights to Kenya, accommodation, passport and visa fees, international health insurance, meals, local transportation in-country, and all other fees related directly to this program.
The Office of Global Engagement will work with every participant to offer pre-departure orientation sessions on health, safety, and all other matters related to this program. Refer to the Global Travel, Safety, & Security webpage for more travel information.
Timeline
| Fall 2026: Application Process |
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|---|---|---|
| Late September 2026 | Application Due Date | Submit your complete application packet to the Office of Global Engagement (OGE) to enter the competitive selection pool. |
| Mid-October 2026 | Candidate Interviews | Selected applicants will receive an invitation to a formal panel interview conducted by OGE staff and faculty leaders. |
| Late October 2026 | Notification to Selected Students | Official acceptance decisions and invitations to join the historic cohort will be distributed via university email. |
| Mid-November 2026 | Program Deposit Deadline | Submit your $1,500 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot. |
| Spring 2027: Preparation, Travel & Return |
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|---|---|---|
| Early January 2027 | Spring Semester & Class Beginnings | Concurrent 3-credit coursework officially begins on campus at LSU with your two faculty instructors. |
| Early February 2027 | Passport Application Deadline | Final call regarding passport applications for students who don’t have travel documents. |
| Spring Break 2027 | The Loeb Passport to Leadership Program Dates | The cohort departs for Kenya for a life-changing field and service experience immediately following the start of LSU's Spring Break (March 5 – 13) |
| Early April 2027 | Homecoming Reception | Celebrate your return with your cohort, donor, faculty, and university leadership at a special post-travel reception to showcase your field research and experiences. |