Anne Lojek of Chester, a third-year senior at Sweet Briar College, has been selected as a member of the 2008 College Leaders Program at the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia.

Lojek also received a partial scholarship from the institute, in addition to a grant from Sweet Briar, to cover most of her attendance costs.

The program offers an advanced curriculum on public service and leadership for promising student leaders in Virginia. Competition to participate was especially intense this year, according to a statement released by the institute.

Marc Johnson, who directs the Sorensen's youth programs, said, "This is an historic year for our College Leaders Program. We have never before received so many applications with this number of outstanding young leaders."

The College Leaders Program will run from May 31 to June 28. Participants will live and study on the grounds of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

Lojek, a biology major at Sweet Briar, is interested in scientific policymaking and advising. "I would like to educate elected officials on complex scientific and health policy so that they make responsible and educated voting decisions on behalf of their constituents," she said.

"The College Leaders Program was of particular interest to me because it deals with the leadership of state and local government. Hoping to promote progressive and ethical scientific policy, I found this program would arm me with the tools I need to understand how politically aware individuals can catalyze change in our government."

Last year, Lojek interned with Del. Harry R. "Bob" Purkey, R-Virginia Beach, through the Capital Semester Program at Virginia Commonwealth University. The previous summer, she interned with U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes at his Colonial Heights district office.

She plans to pursue graduate studies in public policy in the fall.

Sweet Briar College is a liberal arts college for women near Lynchburg. Information is available at www.sbc.edu.