The IOPL has been teaching future leaders for decades.  The initial classes were established in 1974, where the foundation of the institute was laid. In 1987, Institute of Political Leadership emerged from the further deliberations of a group of leading North Carolinians who were concerned about the lack of integrity found in our political system. These leaders joined together to begin a program to improve the quality of political and governmental leadership in state and local government. IOPL established two sessions annually in 1988.