If there is something that Farmville’s institutions of higher learning are known for is its leadership training.

This training is accomplished in a variety of ways. At Longwood University, it is largely through a curriculum designed to promote and cultivate citizen leadership. At Hampden-Sydney College (H-SC), a similar focus is part of the curriculum, and a special hub for this focus is the college’s Wilson Center for Leadership in the Public Interest.

Both Longwood and H-SC are highly regarded, and rightfully so. They are not the only colleges in the commonwealth that command a great deal of respect, however.

Another that would be high up on most people’s lists is the University of Virginia (U.Va.); this is, in part, because U.Va. provides high-quality educational opportunities for its students that are unique.

In light of the recent announcement of a partnership between Hampden-Sydney and U.Va., we would like to direct praise to H-SC and its administration for facilitating this new avenue through which college students in Farmville can access top-tier leadership training in the whole region.

The Hampden-Sydney press release noted that the partnership will be specifically between H-SC, its Wilson Center and The University of Virginia Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.

Officials said in the release that the articulation agreement between the two institutions will encourage and facilitate the enrollment of qualified H-SC students into the Batten School Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree program.

The partnership extends a variety of benefits and incentives to students and alumni of various Wilson Center programs, the release noted, including the Wilson Leadership Fellows Program and the college’s leadership in the public interest and military leadership and national security minors.

In addition to an application fee waiver, the partnership establishes an annual fellowship of at least $10,000 for Virginia residents and at least $17,500 for non-Virginia residents in each of the MPP program’s two years for admitted students, officials highlighted in the release. Students may also earn additional assistantships, fellowships or other awards in their second year.