This semester’s seven-part Discussion Group series, "Giants of the Senate," will be led by author and political consultant Robert Blaemire. The series will discuss former Democratic and Republican Senators, their accomplishments, and their challenges. Featuring former campaign staffers and notable politicos as his guests, Blaemire will lead conversations about times when the Senate and Congress worked […]
Gerald F. Seib will lead this semester’s eight-part Discussion Group Series. Seib is a graduate of the University of Kansas and was a journalist with The Wall Street Journal for almost 45 years. He served as the Journal’s Executive Washington Editor and wrote the weekly “Capital Journal” column for 29 years. He has also reported […]
“Building Democracy in the 21st Century” is led by Qëndrim Gashi, Ambassador of Kosovo to France (2016 – 2021). Qëndrim Gashi is an associate professor at the University of Prishtina and was Kosovo’s Ambassador to France from 2016 until 2021. He has served in supervisory boards of various private and state institutions and think tanks […]
Our Spring 2024 Discussion Group series, "Obstacles and Opportunities: Tackling Sustainability in Kansas," will be a four-part series moderated by Kansas Rural Center Board Member Karen Willey. The series was created alongside Discussion Group Coordinators Braiden Bangalan and Rachel Creighton by engaging with members of the Dole Institute's Student Advisory Board to determine which topics […]
In partnership with the Association of the Former Members of Congress, the Dole Institute welcomed former members of Congress Luke Messer (R-IN) and Cheri Bustos (D-IL) for “Congress in the 21st Century,” a three-part Discussion Groups series highlighting their careers in public service and bipartisanship, and work with members of the Student Advisory Board to […]
Join Dole Fellow Jonathan Shorman Wednesdays this fall as he highlights elections, campaigns, and more here in Kansas and throughout the nation. His series will culminate this November with the Kansas Panel of the 2024 Post Election Conference. Learn more about Jonathan Shorman's Discussion Groups series by visiting our website.
Dole Fellow Matt Beat examines how the exercise of presidential power has evolved since the ratification of the Constitution and how it is shared with each branch of government, the states, and citizens themselves. Learn more about his Discussion Groups series by visiting his Fellow profile.
Former Kansas City Mayor Sly James took office after an economic downturn and at a moment when civic pride was nonexistent. Through a systems-thinking approach to governance, strategic community engagement, and data-informed decision-making, Mayor James’ administration led the city through a renaissance that transformed everything from the city’s skyline to its sense of self. Mayor […]
United WE has been breaking down barriers to women’s economic growth and leadership since 1991. The “think and do” tank’s nonpartisan, research-backed approach has driven meaningful change across the nation, proving that when women succeed, communities and economies flourish. Kansas in particular has been fertile ground for United WE’s policy agenda, including increasing access to […]
Kansas State Representatives Laura Williams (R) and Brandon Woodard (D) are a unique team. They previously ran against each other for public office, but are now both elected officials in the Kansas House of Representatives who work together on a broad spectrum of policy issues. In this session, we’ll hear about their bipartisan public policy […]
In a world where “fake news” seems to be a permanent part of our lexicon and where individuals don’t always agree on facts, what role should the media play in civic engagement? Does the fourth estate have a duty in our system of checks and balances? In this conversation with two accomplished journalists, we’ll consider […]
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu joins us to discuss the opportunities and challenges that come with running a city that aims to grow in sustainable and strategic ways. A former anchor and reporter, Mayor Wu has a unique perspective on public narrative and crisis leadership. Mayor Lily Wu was elected Mayor of Wichita, Kansas […]
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