A new group of Michigan residents was chosen to get an up-close and personal look at politics.

The Michigan Political Leadership Program announced that 24 Michigan residents will receive fully paid fellowships with the MSU-based program.

“We are very excited to see how such a diverse group comes together,” said Shannon Horvath, the program’s director. “They will be meeting for the first time next weekend.”

The fellowship, which begins Feb. 24, is a 10-weekend noncredit course that provides education in practical politics, public analysis, personal leadership style and effective governance. The program is administered by MSU’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research.

“A lot of them felt that it was an honor and privilege to be selected,” Horvath said. “We had received about 78 applications, and 24 were chosen out of that group. So they felt very fortunate for the opportunity.”

The group includes members ranging from teachers to school board members.

“I am always excited,” said Lynn Jondahl, co-director of the program. “The most interesting part of the program is that we always wind up with such a rich collection of people. They are very highly motivated, they very quickly assume responsibility for each other’s benefit. It is very exciting.”

Recent graduates from MSU, like Doug Skrzyniarz, 24, of St. Clair Shores, will be taking part in the program. Skrzyniarz graduated from James Madison College with degrees in political theory and constitutional democracy and international relations in 1999.

“I hope to gain a better understanding of how we can put politics aside and how Republicans and Democrats can work together to benefit everybody, no matter what the political label is,” he said.

“And how to build a consensus when you have controversial issues where there is no cut and dry answer, but affects the population greatly.”

New participant Nancy Patera, appointments manager for Gov. John Engler, said she hopes to address important issues during the program

“I think land-use planning is so important,” she said. “There just isn’t going to be enough land left. I think education is extremely important. Those would be my two major issues.”

Past program graduates include East Lansing City Councilmember Sam Singh, and state Reps. Pat Godchaux, R-Birmingham, Marc Shulman, R-W. Bloomfield and Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland.

For more information on the program contact 355-6672 or visit www.ippsr.msu.edu/policy/mplp.