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Fiscal Leadership Lab
Your Voice. Your Community. Grow the Skills to Drive Change.
Fiscal policy shapes all aspects of our lives, including key issues we care about like affordability, healthcare, and education. The Up to Us Fiscal Leadership Lab is a semester-long program for dedicated students (like you!) who recognize the importance of fiscal policy decisions and are ready to go deeper.
You’ll join a cohort of community-minded peers from across the country, building real skills in policy, advocacy, and organizing. You will emerge from the program ready to step into civic leadership and drive meaningful progress to achieve a sustainable fiscal future.
Supported by a stipend, you will engage in in-person and virtual sessions that equip you with:
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A working understanding of how to shape and implement public policy
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Hands-on experience leading policy initiatives grounded in fiscal sustainability
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Core skills in policy development, community organizing, and advocacy
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A network of student civic leaders and professional connections to build your career
Program Curriculum
Our 18-week curriculum is designed around four key learning pillars:
Fiscal Literacy & Policy Understanding
- National debt and deficit fundamentals
- Policy cost analysis and budget simulation tools
- Fiscal implications of various policy decisions
Leadership Development
- Asset-based leadership approaches
- Public speaking and digital storytelling
- Building bridges across political differences
Advocacy & Organizing Skills
- Community organizing principles
- Policy development and implementation strategies
- Grassroots campaign planning
Applied Learning
- Real-world policy analysis projects
- Deliberative dialogue experiences
- Professional portfolio development
Program Structure
Our 2025–2026 participants will include approximately 100 students across seven regional cohorts in strategic metropolitan regions, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Salt Lake City, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Washington, D.C.
Regional Model
You will join a group of 13-15 students from your geographic area, offering an opportunity to develop close connections with other changemakers in your city. Experienced faculty and staff regional leaders will lead bi-weekly, in-person, relationship- and knowledge-building sessions. Don’t worry, you will receive travel stipends to offset transportation costs.
National Connections
Outside of regional activities, you will join groups from across the country to participate in regular virtual programming and an in-person national convening.
Bi-Weekly Training (Spring Semester)
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Interactive workshops on fiscal policy, leadership, and advocacy led by national speakers, curriculum experts, and policy leaders
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National training sessions will bring all groups together to connect across cities and issue areas
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Group-specific reflection and application sessions will make each week’s lessons tangible and action-oriented
Washington, D.C., Convening (May)
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Paid trip to Washington, D.C., for program graduates who meet required milestones
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Two days of Capitol Hill meetings and networking opportunities
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Regional presentations on key takeaways from the program
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Credly certifications presentation and celebration
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Introductions to participants from other Up to Us Leadership Network programs
Benefits of Participation
- No cost to participate — all program expenses covered
- Professional development and leadership training, certified by a Campus Compact Credly digital badge
- Travel stipends of $300 provided for regional meeting attendance, with additional travel support available as needed
- All-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to conclude the program
- Professional headshots
- Unlock access to the Up to Us Leadership Network’s Professional Pathways program
Timeline & Time Commitment
Key Dates
- Spring Programming: January–May 2026 (18 weeks)
- D.C. Convening: May 17–19 or May 24–26, 2026
Time Commitment
- 1–2 hours weekly for virtual training sessions and regional cohort meetings (with two excused absences allowed per student)
- Students are expected to spend additional time on homework and reflection between sessions (as required)
- Students are required to attend their regional orientation and the national convening in Washington, D.C.
How to Apply
FAQs
Do I need to have a certain major or prior experience to be in this program?
No! We’re looking for student leaders with a variety of backgrounds, majors, and policy perspectives, plus an interest in civic engagement or fiscal policy.
Do I need to attend a Campus Compact member institution to apply?
No! While the Campus Compact network includes 300+ member institutions, this initiative is open to any qualified undergraduate student within the seven metropolitan regions.
What if I can't afford to travel to regional meetings?
We provide travel stipends and additional need-based support to ensure financial barriers don't prevent participation.
Can international students apply?
Yes, as long as you meet all other eligibility requirements and are currently enrolled as an undergraduate student AND focused on U.S.-based fiscal policy long-term.
What is the program time commitment?
The program runs weekly from mid-January to the end of May. Weekly meetings (approximately 75 minutes each) will alternate between national webinars, which are held virtually on Tuesdays from 8-9:15 PM ET and regional cohort meetings (in-person or virtual), which will be led by experienced faculty or staff members who will provide local support and facilitate in-person gatherings. National calls will be held every other Tuesday from 8-9:15 PM ET virtually and are mandatory. If you have a conflict with this, please know that meetings are mandatory and firm throughout the program. The regional in-person meetings will be determined on a regional basis and scheduled by faculty/staff based on the availability of the selected students.
What happens at the end?
Graduates will receive a Credly certification that they can put on their resume to showcase their skills and participation gained from the program. They will also officially be members of the Up to Us Leadership Network and will have access to ongoing career development resources, networking opportunities, and continued engagement in fiscal policy advocacy.
Learn More
This Up to Us Leadership Network program is run in coordination with Campus Compact. For questions about the Fiscal Leadership Lab, please reach out to the contacts below.
uptous@compact.org
Primary contact for general inquiries
Soniy Alamdari, salamdari@compact.org
Program Coordinator, Campus Compact
Application process, logistics support, and student experience
Will Brummett, wbrummett@compact.org
Director of Student Engagement, Campus Compact
Questions about Cohort Leaders, city selection, and long-term expansion
Ready to apply? Visit our Application page to get started!
What's Next?
The skills you've developed don't stop here. Dive deeper with Up to Us programs.
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Want to build a campaign, engage your peers, and compete for prizes? Apply for the Fiscal Advocacy Competition.
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Want the opportunity to develop and present policy solutions? Apply for the Fiscal Policy Challenge.
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Don’t forget — after completing this program, you are now eligible for the Professional Pathways program where you have exclusive access to career resources, opportunities, and a network of peers.