Dole Institute

A Landmark Celebration
2023-07-22 10:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
A LANDMARK CELEBRATION FOR A LEGENDARY LEADER
The year 2023 marks the Dole Institute’s 20th Anniversary and 100 years since the birth of renowned Kansan, veteran, legislator and statesman, Senator Bob Dole. The Dole Institute celebrates thanks to our generous corporate and individual sponsors, in honor of Senator Dole’s legacy.
Join us for our Landmark Celebration on July 22, 2023!
Free public events from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Details at https://doleinstitute.org/landmark/

Dr. Shawn Faulkner: “The Three Invasions of Serbia in 1914”
2023-08-03 15:00 - 16:15 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
“The Three Invasions of Serbia in 1914”
Dr. Shawn Faulkner
Thursday, August 3, 2023 | 3:00 p.m.
With the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June 1914, the Austro-Hungarian empire was set on a collision course with the Kingdom of Serbia that ultimately sparked the First World War. This lecture examines why the Austrians invasions of Serbia in 1914 failed to achieve the Hapsburg’s goal of crushing their Balkan enemy. It will also examine how and why a multi-national Central Powers attack decisively defeated Serbia the following year.
Dr. Richard S. Faulkner is a Professor of Military History and has taught at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College for 20 years. He served 23 years in the U.S. Army and commanded a tank company in the 1st Armored Division during Operation Desert Storm. He is the author of The School of Hard Knocks: Combat Leadership in the American Expeditionary Forces (Texas A&M Press, 2012), which was the recipient of the Society for Military History’s 2013 Distinguished Book Award. His second book, Pershing’s Crusaders: The American Soldier in World War I (University Press of Kansas, 2017) received the World War I Association’s 2017 Norman B. Tomlinson, Jr. Prize for the best work of history in English on World War One, the Organization of American Historians’ 2017 Richard W. Leopold Prize, and the Army Historical Foundation’s 2017 Excellence in U.S. Army History Book Award.
The Ft. Leavenworth Series
The Ft. Leavenworth Series is an annual roster of lectures focusing on significant historical events, usually with an emphasis on military history. Each lecture is presented by faculty from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Established by General William Tecumseh Sherman in 1881, the CGSC is the graduate college for U.S. Army and sister service officers. The esteemed faculty and guests of the CGSC provide unique and captivating insights into the history of military conflict from the ancient to the modern ages at the Dole Institute of Politics.
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to promoting political and civic participation as well as civil discourse in a bipartisan, philosophically balanced manner. It is located on KU’s West Campus and houses the Dole Archive and Special Collections. Through its robust public programming, congressional archive, and museum, the Dole Institute strives to celebrate public service and the legacies of US Senators Bob Dole and Elizabeth Dole.

September 11, 2001: The Day that Changed the World
2023-09-05 - 2023-09-17 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
On display from September 5-17, 2023 at the Dole Institute of Politics
The Dole Institute will have special hours on Monday, September 11, 2023. We will be open from 12 pm – 4 pm.
The Dole Institute of Politics will be displaying a special poster exhibit commemorating the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. “September 11: The Day that Changed the World” reviews the events of the day, highlights personal experiences, and invites reflections from all patrons. This exhibit was developed by the 9/11 Memorial Museum with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Guests can also view our permanent memorial in Hansen Hall, featuring original beams from World Trade Center Tower One. These beams were salvaged and presented to the Dole Institute by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in appreciation for Senator Dole’s work with former President Bill Clinton to develop the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund, which helped fund the education for children of 9/11 victims.

Dr. Dirk Ringgenberg: “Operation Northern Delay: The US Airborne Invasion of Iraq from a First-Hand Perspective”
2023-09-07 15:00 - 16:15 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
“Operation Northern Delay: The US Airborne Invasion of Iraq from a First-Hand Perspective”
Dr. Dirk Ringgenberg
Thursday, September 7, 2023 | 3:00 p.m.
On 26 March 2003, in the first weeks of Operation Iraqi Freedom, USAF C17 Globemasters from 4 different Air Wings transported 1,000 paratroopers from the U.S. Army 173rd Airborne Brigade and conducted a night mass tactical combat parachute assault into Bashur Airfield, Iraq, as part of Operation Northern Delay. The operation forced the Iraqi Army to maintain approximately six divisions to protect its northern flank, providing strategic relief for Coalition Forces advancing on Baghdad from the South.
Mr. Dirk D. Ringgenberg is an Assistant Professor at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in the Department of Military History and a doctoral candidate at Iowa State University. Dirk is a highly decorated (Silver Star, Bronze Star for Valor) retired Major with a distinguished military career spanning 24 years, predominately in Paratrooper and Ranger units. He participated in Operation Northern Delay as a Captain. Dirk and wife, Michelle live in Landing, Kansas with son, Hunter.
The Ft. Leavenworth Series
The Ft. Leavenworth Series is an annual roster of lectures focusing on significant historical events, usually with an emphasis on military history. Each lecture is presented by faculty from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Established by General William Tecumseh Sherman in 1881, the CGSC is the graduate college for U.S. Army and sister service officers. The esteemed faculty and guests of the CGSC provide unique and captivating insights into the history of military conflict from the ancient to the modern ages at the Dole Institute of Politics.
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to promoting political and civic participation as well as civil discourse in a bipartisan, philosophically balanced manner. It is located on KU’s West Campus and houses the Dole Archive and Special Collections. Through its robust public programming, congressional archive, and museum, the Dole Institute strives to celebrate public service and the legacies of US Senators Bob Dole and Elizabeth Dole.

Chaos on the Campaign Trail: Inside a Tumultuous Race for the White House
2023-09-13 19:00 - 20:15 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
A GOP frontrunner under the cloud of legal peril is trying to stave off a crowded primary field and maintain his hold over a divided party. An incumbent president faces questions about his age and an uncertain economy. As the Republican primary hits its stride, can anyone stop Donald Trump? And what does President Biden need to do to earn a second term? The race for the White House in 2024 promises to be an election unlike we’ve ever seen. Join us as we examine the state of the campaign with two prominent political journalists – Ali Vitali of NBC News and the Associated Press’s Seung Min Kim – in a conversation moderated by Brendan Buck, NBC News Political Analyst and former top aide to House Speaker Paul Ryan and John Boehner. These insiders will help pull back the curtain and examine the questions that will determine who controls the White House in 2025.
Brendan Buck is a Partner at Seven Letter, a Washington and Boston based public affairs agency, and he is an NBC News on-air Political Analyst. He spent twelve years on Capitol Hill, serving as a top aide to two consecutive Speakers of the House. Brendan was Counselor to House Speaker Paul Ryan, leading messaging and communications strategy for the speaker and House GOP. And earlier, Brendan was Press Secretary to House Speaker John Boehner. Brendan was also on the 2012 Romney-Ryan presidential campaign, serving as Press Secretary to the Vice President nominee. He’s held several other senior communications roles on Capitol Hill, including for now-Speaker Kevin McCarthy. In 2017, POLITICO named him to its inaugural Power 30 list, and in 2020, PR Week named him to its annual ’40 Under 40’.
Ali Vitali is a Capitol Hill correspondent for NBC News based in Washington, D.C. Vitali has reported on both President Biden and Vice President Harris throughout the 2020 campaign trail and through inauguration, cabinet appointments and confirmations. In February 2023, Vitali sat down with former President Mike Pence in an exclusive broadcast interview ahead of the 2024 presidential election and her continued coverage of the GOP field. As an NBC News “Road Warrior” in 2020, Vitali followed and reported on the campaigns of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Michael Bloomberg during the Democratic primary contests. She previously covered the Trump Administration as a White House Reporter for NBC News Digital and was a political campaign embed reporter on Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Seung Min Kim is a White House reporter for The Associated Press, specializing in the nexus of the Biden administration and Capitol Hill. Before joining the AP in July 2022, she had the same beat at The Washington Post, where she led the publication’s coverage on President Biden’s legislative agenda, Donald Trump’s relationships – and battles – with Congress, and three Supreme Court confirmation fights. She has also served as a political analyst for CNN since 2018. Seung Min’s first major reporting role in Washington was as a congressional reporter for Politico, where she spent more than eight years and primarily covered the Senate. She has also worked at USA Today; The Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J.; the St. Paul Pioneer Press; the St. Petersburg Times and The Des Moines Register. She is the current president of the Washington Press Club Foundation and a longtime member of the Asian American Journalists Association.
This program is presented in partnership with KU’s Debate Team and the Institute for Leadership Studies.
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to promoting political and civic participation as well as civil discourse in a bipartisan, philosophically balanced manner. It is located on KU’s West Campus and houses the Dole Archive and Special Collections. Through its robust public programming, congressional archive, and museum, the Dole Institute strives to celebrate public service and the legacies of US Senators Bob Dole and Elizabeth Dole.

CANCELED - No Trade is Free: A Conversation with Ambassador Robert Lighthizer
2023-09-21 19:00 - 20:15 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
Due to unforeseen circumstances, “No Trade is Free: A Conversation with Ambassador Robert Lighthizer” has been canceled.
This includes any pre or post-program events planned. We apologize for any inconvenience. We hope to see you at the Dole Institute soon.
The Dole Institute will maintain its normal visiting hours this Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The 2023 Annual Constitution Day Program: Constitution Day at Kansas Memorial Stadium
2023-09-23 14:30 - 15:00 | David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, 1101 Mississippi Street, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
This event will take place before the Kansas Jayhawks play against Brigham Young University at the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. To watch the game, a valid ticket is required from KU Athletics.
During Family Weekend at the Kansas Memorial Stadium, KU fans are invited to recite the Preamble to the Constitution before the Jayhawks play against Brigham Young University. Chancellor Douglas Girod will lead the recitation while Elizabeth Berghout, carillonneur, rings the bells from the Campanile. Following the Preamble, the Marching Jayhawks will play the national anthem.
Learn more about our Constitution Day programming here!

The 2023 Annual Constitution Day Program: "Speech, Guns, and Federal Power"
2023-09-26 19:00 - 20:15 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
In recent years, the U.S. Supreme Court has reshaped key aspects of American law, including First Amendment speech protections, firearms regulation under the Second Amendment, and the Executive Branch’s powers to implement laws. The Court appears poised to continue reshaping these fields in the coming term through a set of potentially transformative cases. In observation of Constitution Day, Associate Director Dr. Barbara Ballard will lead a panel of emerging leaders in the legal profession – each of whom are former Dole Institute SAB members – to discuss these changes and how they see the profession evolving in the coming years.
Adam Steinhilber is an attorney from Overland Park, Kansas who recently finished clerking for the Honorable Timothy M. Tymkovich of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. He previously clerked for the Honorable Mark S. Massa of the Indiana Supreme Court. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif and chaired the Federalist Society’s 39th annual National Student Symposium. He earned his B.A. in Political Science with honors from the University of Kansas, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and proudly served as the Events Student Assistant at the Dole Institute of Politics. This fall, he will join the Kansas City office of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP as a litigation associate.
Emily Depew is a research attorney with the Kansas Court of Appeals. Emily hails from Neodesha, Kansas. She graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law in 2023. At KU Law, Emily was a three-time moot court national champion and was presented with one of the best speakers awards two years in a row at the moot court national championship competition. She worked as the Dole Institute Student Advisory Board coordinator for two years as an undergraduate at KU. Emily has also worked as a legislative fellow at the Kansas Revisor of Statutes office, a legal intern at the U.S. Department of Transportation, and a legal intern for Kansas Representative Barbara Ballard.
Jesse Burbank hails from Quinter, Kansas, and grew up moving around the world in a military family. He earned his bachelor’s degree with highest distinction in history and political science from the University of Kansas in 2017. He was a member of the Dole Institute Student Advisory Board, and he served as Dole Institute Director Bill Lacy’s research assistant during his senior year. Jesse earned his law degree with honors from Harvard Law School in 2020, where he was an editor of the Harvard International Law Journal. While in law school, he served as a summer legal intern in the United States Supreme Court Office of Legal Counsel. He worked in private practice after law school at the law firm Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago before joining the U.S. Army JAG Corps in late 2022. He is now a Captain in the U.S. Army and serves as a Special Victims’ Counsel at Fort Riley, representing survivors of sexual assault and related offenses throughout the military justice process.
Learn more about the Dole Institute’s Constitution Day programs here!
The Dole Institute’s Constitution Day program is made possible by the support of longtime Friend of the Dole Institute, Mark P. Johnson.

Dr. John Hosler: “Bidding Syria Adieu: The Arab Invasions of 634-638”
2023-10-05 15:00 - 16:15 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
“Bidding Syria Adieu: The Arab Invasions of 634-638”
Dr. John Hosler
Thursday, October 5, 2023 | 3:00 p.m.
Though little known to western audiences, the Arab invasions of 634-638 into Syria and the Levant were some of the most consequential in history. What began as small-scale raiding of frontier Byzantine garrisons soon transitioned to full-scale war, featuring a decisive victory of the Byzantine army at the Battle of Yarmuk in 636 and the capture of Jerusalem in 638. The surrender of the Holy City enabled Muslim control of the Temple Mount within it and the construction of two of the most famous sites for all of Islam: the al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. Following the conquest of Syria, their armies would go on to conquer Egypt, Persia, Mesopotamia, North Africa, and Iberia—by 711, over half of the old Roman Empire lived in the Abode of Islam.
John D. Hosler (PhD University of Delaware) is a Professor of Military History at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. An expert on medieval warfare in Europe and the Near East, he is the author or editor of seven books, including Jerusalem Falls: Seven Centuries of War and Peace (Yale UP, 2022), The Siege of Acre, 1189-1191 (Yale UP, 2018), and John of Salisbury: Military Authority of the Twelfth-Century Renaissance (Brill, 2012), as well as over 60 shorter publications. He is the past President of De Re Militari: the Society for Medieval Military History, a current Trustee of the United States Commission for Military History, and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society
The Ft. Leavenworth Series
The Ft. Leavenworth Series is an annual roster of lectures focusing on significant historical events, usually with an emphasis on military history. Each lecture is presented by faculty from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Established by General William Tecumseh Sherman in 1881, the CGSC is the graduate college for U.S. Army and sister service officers. The esteemed faculty and guests of the CGSC provide unique and captivating insights into the history of military conflict from the ancient to the modern ages at the Dole Institute of Politics.
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to promoting political and civic participation as well as civil discourse in a bipartisan, philosophically balanced manner. It is located on KU’s West Campus and houses the Dole Archive and Special Collections. Through its robust public programming, congressional archive, and museum, the Dole Institute strives to celebrate public service and the legacies of US Senators Bob Dole and Elizabeth Dole.

Taylor Swift: A Conversation on Influence & Advocacy
2023-10-10 19:00 - 20:15 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
Global superstar Taylor Swift is on top of the world with a massive and Fearless fanbase behind her. Join us for an Enchanted evening of merging music, politics, and activism as KU Professor Dr. Brian Donovan and Wichita State University Assistant Professor Dr. Hannah Wing discuss Swift’s journey into the world of politics and social activism as well as what politicians can learn from her uniquely powerful influence. Are you ready for it?
Wear your friendship bracelets and your Swiftie merch!

Important Information for Attending This Program
Due to an expected large turnout for this event, we are taking some additional steps.

Doors for this event will open at 6:15 p.m.
Members of the public are encouraged to arrive early to secure their seat

Should you not be admitted for this program, please be aware that it will be live streamed on our YouTube Channel starting at 7 p.m. CST. This program will also be available to stream afterward.

KU students may come early for a pizza party with Taylor Swift music and cookies starting at 6 p.m.
Dr. Brian Donovan is a professor in the KU Department of Sociology. Donovan’s research focuses on gender and American culture. His latest book, American Gold Digger, examines the “gold digger” stereotype in American culture. Donovan is currently interviewing Swifties for a book about the Taylor Swift fandom and is teaching a Taylor Swift-focused course called “The Sociology of Taylor Swift” this semester.
Dr. Hannah Wing is an Assistant Professor in the Elliott School of Communications at Wichita State University. Her research is centered on examining the relationships between media consumers and media personae, including how fans are influenced by the behavior of celebrities. She is currently researching the experiences Taylor Swift fans had while trying to obtain tickets to The Eras Tour.
This program is presented in partnership with the KU Swift Society.

10 Defining Moments in the History of the American First Lady 1900-2023
2023-10-19 15:00 - 16:15 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
The history of the American First Lady has seen a number of defining moments, incidents or challenges that are distinctive and leave a clear impression of the presidential spouse. Included in this presentation are discussions of Eleanor Roosevelt and Marian Anderson (1936); Jacqueline Kennedy’s Tour of the White House (1962); Betty Ford and Breast Cancer (1974), Hillary Clinton’s decision to run for the U.S. Senate (1999) and Michelle Obama becoming the first African-American first lady (2008).
Myra G. Gutin is professor emerita of communication at Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ. For the past 40 years, her research has focused on American first ladies. She is the author of The President’s Partner: The First Lady in the Twentieth Century and Barbara Bush: Presidential Matriarch. She has authored book chapters, articles, and op. eds. about first ladies and is currently at work on a biography of Betty Ford. A frequent media commentator, she is the president of FLARE, the First Ladies Association for Research and Education.
Diana B. Carlin is professor emerita of communication at Saint Louis University and a retired professor of communication studies at the University of Kansas where she taught a course on women in politics that included first ladies. She has authored book chapters on Martha Washington, Lady Bird Johnson, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Obama. She is the co-author of the first-ever textbook on first ladies, U.S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies, which was just released for publication. To purchase a copy of the book, visit this link.
This program is presented in partnership with FLARE.

The First Ladies Association for Research and Education (FLARE) was founded on June 21, 2021, through a collaboration with American University’s School of Public Affairs and its First Ladies Institute. Its mission to create and sustain a network of promote and publicize research and education relevant to the contributions, lives, impacts, and lasting legacies of U.S. first ladies.

A Question of Respect: Bringing Us Together in a Deeply Divided Nation
2023-10-24 19:00 - 20:15 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
Celinda Lake, a Democrat, and Ed Goeas, a Republican, have been crossing party lines for more than three decades to produce the Battleground Poll that takes a bipartisan look at America and its politics. Now they have co-authored a book that draws on what they have learned to describe how America has reached its current, deeply fractured political condition and, more importantly, how the country might move beyond it. These two leading political practitioners will be at the Dole Institute to discuss their work, including their central argument that the only way to escape the current polarization is through mutual respect.
Jerry Seib has been 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 also reported from the Middle East for the Journal in the mid-1980s, covered the White House, has moderated three presidential debates, and interviewed every president since Ronald Reagan.
Celinda Lake was one of two main pollsters for the Biden campaign, is the only Democratic pollster to play a major role in defeating two incumbent presidents, and is a prominent pollster and political strategist for progressives. Celinda currently serves as President of Lake Research Partners. Lake’s polling and strategic advice has helped candidates such as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to groundbreaking wins. Lake co-authored the book What Women Really Want with Republican pollster Kellyanne Conway.
Ed Goeas was President and C.E.O. of The Tarrance Group for thirty-five years, one of the most respected and successful Republican survey research and strategy teams in American politics today. Widely recognized as one of the country’s leading political strategists, Goeas is an often-sought-after consultant and strategist. In Fall 2018, Ed served as a Fellow at Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service focusing on “Civility in Politics.” In April Goeas was inducted into the American Association of Political Consultants “Hall of Fame.”

To purchase a copy of “A Question of Respect: Bringing Us Together in a Deeply Divided Nation,” please click this link.
For those who purchase the book in advance, there will be an opportunity for Ed Goeas and Celinda Lake to sign the book after the program.

KUCCO Annual Trunk or Treat
2023-10-30 17:00 - 19:00 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
Join KU Center for Community Outreach in our annual Trunk or Treat! Located in the parking lot of the Dole Institute of Politics (2350 Petefish Dr., Lawrence KS, 66045) from 5-7pm on Monday, October 30th, we are open to families and kids of all ages! We will have games, activities, and candy! Come in your best costume for a scary good time!
The trunk or treat event occurs in the parking lot, but outdoors activities will be hosted on the lawn, and indoor activities available in the museum. Also, a special appearance by Dottie, the LPL outreach bookmobile!

Dr. John Kuehn: “Hideyoshi’s Invasion of Korea in the 1500s”
2023-11-02 15:00 - 16:15 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
“Hideyoshi’s Invasion of Korea in the 1500s”
Dr. John Kuehn
Thursday, November 2, 2023 | 3:00 p.m.
The Shogun Hideyoshi Toyotomi had only recently unified Japan when he made the decision to invade Korea. Korea had served as a springboard of the attempted Mongol conquest of Japan in the 13th Century. Hideyoshi and his allies had never forgotten this danger. Hideyoshi was also inspired by the martial legend of the great Khan, and so inspired, partly for security, partly for glory, he invaded Korea in 1592 with a huge army of over 150,000 veteran troops. His ultimate goal was the conquest of China itself. This lecture will look at this invasion and its disastrous aftermath for the Koreans and, ultimately, the Japanese.
Dr. John T. Kuehn is Professor of Military History at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC). He retired from the U.S. Navy 2004 at the rank of commander after 23 years, serving as a naval flight officer (NFO) flying land and carrier-based aircraft. He has taught a variety of subjects, including military history, at CGSC since 2000. He authored Agents of Innovation (2008), A Military History of Japan: From the Age of the Samurai to the 21st Century (2014), Napoleonic Warfare: The Operational Art of the Great Campaigns (2015), and co-authored Eyewitness Pacific Theater (2008) with D.M. Giangreco as well as numerous articles and editorials and was awarded a Moncado Prize from the Society for Military History in 2011. His latest book from Naval Institute Press is America’s First General Staff: A Short History of the Rise and Fall of the General Board of the Navy, 1900-1950 (Fall 2017). During 2016-2017 Dr. Kuehn served on CNO Admiral John Richardson’s Fleet Design Advisory Panel assessing congressionally mandated architectures for the fleet of 2030.
The Ft. Leavenworth Series
The Ft. Leavenworth Series is an annual roster of lectures focusing on significant historical events, usually with an emphasis on military history. Each lecture is presented by faculty from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Established by General William Tecumseh Sherman in 1881, the CGSC is the graduate college for U.S. Army and sister service officers. The esteemed faculty and guests of the CGSC provide unique and captivating insights into the history of military conflict from the ancient to the modern ages at the Dole Institute of Politics.
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to promoting political and civic participation as well as civil discourse in a bipartisan, philosophically balanced manner. It is located on KU’s West Campus and houses the Dole Archive and Special Collections. Through its robust public programming, congressional archive, and museum, the Dole Institute strives to celebrate public service and the legacies of US Senators Bob Dole and Elizabeth Dole.

A Tribute to Veterans Gala
2023-11-05 18:00 - 20:30 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
Join us in celebrating our Veterans and their families on Sunday, November 5, 2023. The program will include a Salute to Veterans from the University of Kansas ROTC and music from the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra.
Reservations are required. Admission is free, however, space is limited. Please RSVP by Tuesday, October 23, 2023, by calling (785) 864-4900 or emailing doleinstitute@ku.edu.

Whirlwind: What to Expect for Digital Democracy in 2024
2023-11-09 10:00 - 11:00 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
Featuring Katie Harbath, CEO of Anchor Change and Former Facebook Public Policy Director
Next year will be a rollercoaster with an unprecedented number of elections worldwide, the impact of new technologies such as AI, and the implementation of new regulations. Online platforms are facing their biggest test yet – and there are many new ones on the stage as well. In this talk, former Facebook head of elections Katie Harbath will break down what to expect.

Katie Harbath is a global leader at the intersection of elections, democracy, and technology. As the chief executive of Anchor Change, she helps clients think through tech policy issues. She is a senior advisor for technology and democracy at the International Republican Institute and is also a fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center, the Integrity Institute and a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council.
Previously, Katie spent 10 years at Facebook. As a director of public policy, she built and led global teams that managed elections and helped government and political figures use the social network to connect with their constituents.
Before Facebook, Katie held senior digital roles at the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and the DCI Group, as well as multiple campaigns for office. She is a board member at the National Conference on Citizenship, Democracy Works, R Street and the Center for Journalism Ethics at the University of Madison-Wisconsin.
Katie writes a weekly newsletter on Substack called Anchor Change and hosts the podcast Impossible Tradeoffs. You can also follow her on Twitter and connect with her on LinkedIn.

This program is sponsored by AT&T and presented in partnership with the Bipartisan Policy Center.

KU Vets Day 5k
2023-11-12 09:00 - 12:00 | David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, 1101 Mississippi Street, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics is proud to be a Gold sponsor of the KU Vets Day 5k race, hosted by the KU Student Veterans of America and the Veterans Alumni Network.
The annual KU Vets Day 5K, hosted by the KU Student Veterans of America and the Veterans Alumni Network, honors our past/present veterans and raises awareness of the roles veterans play in our university and community. The 5K begins and ends at Memorial Stadium, traveling through the KU campus past KU’s war memorials. All proceeds from the Vets Day 5K support KU Student Veterans of America chapter, the KU Veterans Alumni Network and the Lt. Gen. William K. Jones Military-Affiliated Student Center.
To learn more about this race, please visit the official KU Vets Day 5k race website.

U.S. Policy Toward Ukraine: A Conversation with Ryan Guirlinger
2023-11-14 16:00 - 17:30 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
On Tuesday, November 14, the KU Center for Russian, Eastern European and Eurasian Affairs, in partnership with the Dole Institute, will bring U.S. Department of State official Ryan Guirlinger to the Dole Institute for a conversation on the United States’ policy toward Ukraine as the war continues into a third year. Guirlinger, the State Department’s Chief of the Ukraine Political Unit, will discuss the current state of the U.S. policy toward Ukraine, how these policies are designed and implemented, and answer questions from the audience.
Unlike other programs, this program will not be live-streamed on our YouTube Channel, so make plans to attend this event in-person.
Ryan Guirlinger has served as the Ukraine Political Unit Chief since August 2022. In his distinguished career with the State Department he has previously served as Saudi Arabia Senior Desk Officer in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, deputy economic counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Morocco, economic officer at the U.S. Embassy in Algeria, consular officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, Turkey, and consular and economic officer at the U.S. Embassy in Honduras. In 2019, he was the recipient of the inaugural Hayden Brown Award for Outstanding Leadership in Energy Security and Access. He joined the Foreign Service in September 2008, and holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Maryland-College Park and a master’s degree from Syracuse University.

Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities ABLE Account Informational Session
2023-11-29 11:00 - 13:00 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
This event is by invitation only. For more information, please contact Allyson Mccain of the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities at allyson@kcdd.org or (913) 954-2150.

2023 | Katie Sowers
2023-11-30 19:00 - 20:15 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
Katie Sowers, the first woman to coach on an NFL staff in a Super Bowl, will sit for an interview at the sixth Elizabeth Dole Women in Leadership Lecture, which features women who break barriers, make significant contributions to their fields, and reach positions of leadership.
This series is named after former U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole, in honor of her long career in public service. Dole served as commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Secretary of Labor, President of the American Red Cross, and U.S. Senator representing the state of North Carolina. The Elizabeth Dole Women in Leadership Lecture series serves as a tribute to her dedication and contributions to the nation through her public service.

Katie Sowers is in her third year as Director of Strategic Initiatives at Ottawa University (OU). She also coached the 2021 and 2022 National Champion OU Women’s Flag Football team and now serves as the Director of Operations and Defensive Coordinator. As a result of her extensive career, she has a large influence in the sports world and uses it to open various doors of opportunity for women’s athletics.
She is responsible for leading the development and fundraising efforts geared toward building a state-of-the-art facility for the women’s flag football and other OU athletic teams. Sowers continues to focus on the growth of female athletes and bringing these programs into the spotlight.
In the summer of 2021, Sowers served on the coaching staff of the Kansas City Chiefs through the Bill Walsh Diversity Fellowship where she had the opportunity to coach alongside coach Andy Reid, one of the most accomplished coaches in NFL history.
Before arriving at Ottawa, Sowers was an offensive assistant coach with the San Francisco 49ers from 2017 to 2021. She made history becoming the first female coach on an NFL staff to coach in a Super Bowl. Prior to her time with the 49ers, Sowers was a wide receivers’ coaching intern with the Atlanta Falcons.
A native of Hesston, Kan., Sowers played football in the Women’s Football Alliance for the West Michigan Mayhem and her hometown team, the Kansas City Titans. She was also selected to play on the USA Women’s National Football team in 2013 which won the IFAF World Championship defeating Team Canada.

Dr. Geoff Babb: “War in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, December 1941-May 1942”
2023-12-07 15:00 - 16:15 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
“War in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, December 1941-May 1942”
Dr. Geoff Babb
Thursday, December 7, 2023 | 3:00 p.m.
In December 1941, from Wake Island to Burma, Japanese forces overran and overwhelmed key allied bases and facilities. British, American, Dutch, and Chinese forces were unable to stop the onslaught. By May 1941, the Dutch East Indies, Burma, Malaya and Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Philippines were all in enemy hands. The invasions of 1942 saw the peak of Japanese expansion in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater
of the Second World War.
Dr. Babb was commissioned from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. He served as a US Army Military Intelligence Officer in Washington, DC and after completing education as a China Foreign Area Officer, was then assigned to Joint and Army Headquarters in Hawaii. He later was posted to the Command and General Staff College faculty at Fort Leavenworth. He earned a Masters in East Asian Languages and Cultures, and a Doctorate in History from the University of Kansas.
The Ft. Leavenworth Series
The Ft. Leavenworth Series is an annual roster of lectures focusing on significant historical events, usually with an emphasis on military history. Each lecture is presented by faculty from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Established by General William Tecumseh Sherman in 1881, the CGSC is the graduate college for U.S. Army and sister service officers. The esteemed faculty and guests of the CGSC provide unique and captivating insights into the history of military conflict from the ancient to the modern ages at the Dole Institute of Politics.
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to promoting political and civic participation as well as civil discourse in a bipartisan, philosophically balanced manner. It is located on KU’s West Campus and houses the Dole Archive and Special Collections. Through its robust public programming, congressional archive, and museum, the Dole Institute strives to celebrate public service and the legacies of US Senators Bob Dole and Elizabeth Dole.

Discover with Dole: Celebrate Kansas Day
2024-01-26 - 2024-02-04 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
Celebrate Kansas Day all week long at the Dole Institute! Join us Friday, January 26 – Sunday, February 4, with special open hours on Jan. 29 for a Kansas Day themed Discover with Dole.
Learn about Kansas by making your own special Kansas postcard using historical examples from the Dole Archives, explore the state seal and other Kansas symbols with coloring and crafts. Discover with Dole is the Dole Institute’s interactive, kid-friendly themed program in the museum. All programs and events at the Dole Institute are free and open to the public.

World Leaders in Wartime: George Marshall
2024-02-07 15:00 - 16:15 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
General George C. Marshall is arguably one of the most influential American military men to have ever lived. However, he is not known for his battlefield accomplishments, but rather his organizational and diplomatic achievements. From 1939 to his retreat from public life in 1951, Marshall shepherded first the U.S. Army, then the State Department, and then finally the American Military, through a tumultuous and transformational decade.
Dr. William S. Nance is a retired armor officer with two combat tours to Iraq. He is a World War Two operational historian with books covering American mechanized cavalry and General William Simpson. He is currently an associate professor of history at the Command and General Staff School.
The Ft. Leavenworth Series
The Ft. Leavenworth Series is an annual roster of lectures focusing on significant historical events, usually with an emphasis on military history. Each lecture is presented by faculty from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Established by General William Tecumseh Sherman in 1881, the CGSC is the graduate college for U.S. Army and sister service officers. The esteemed faculty and guests of the CGSC provide unique and captivating insights into the history of military conflict from the ancient to the modern ages at the Dole Institute of Politics.

The opinions expressed herein are those of the individual and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency.

Grappling with the Nation’s Pressing Fiscal Challenges
2024-02-08 10:00 - 11:15 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
Featuring Spring 2024 visiting Fellows Rachel Snyderman and Emily Wielk
The U.S. fiscal house stands on shaky ground. Marked by a federal debt that has eclipsed $34 trillion, growing annual deficits, persistent inflation, and rising interest costs, Americans are increasingly frustrated by both the risks they present as well as the partisan gridlock in Washington over how to address them. America’s fiscal challenge is even more acute today given the significant economic issues that the 119th Congress and next administration will immediately face including the debt limit, tax reform, and Social Security and Medicare solvency, to name a few.
Please join us at the Dole Institute as our two Visiting Fellows break down what’s at stake and why fiscal policy will remain front and center in the coming years. What will the potential impact be on our families and communities, nation, and global competitiveness?

This program is presented in partnership with the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Rachel Snyderman, Director of Economic Policy, Bipartisan Policy Center
Rachel Snyderman serves as the Director of Economic Policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center. Rachel joined the BPC following federal service with the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Department of Commerce, and the Office of Management and Budget. Earlier in her career, she worked for EY and Innovations for Poverty Action. She earned her B.A. in Economics and Latin American Studies from Wellesley College and holds an M.A. from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies.

Emily Wielk, Economic Policy Analyst, Bipartisan Policy Center
Emily Wielk is a Policy Analyst for BPC’s Economic Policy Program, where her portfolio includes tax policy, working families support, and educational programming on fiscal policy. Prior to this role, Wielk interned with the EPP team, contributing to projects on tax policy and Social Security. Wielk holds a B.A. Public Policy and Sociology from Gettysburg College and a M.A. in Public Policy and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from the George Washington University.

Beyond KU: D.C. Internships
2024-02-13 16:00 - 17:15 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ85FRrGOps
Are you a current KU student considering a DC internship? Join us as we interview a panel of four former KU students and Student Advisory Board members as they talk about their internships in D.C. and how these experiences moved their careers forward.

The program is presented in partnership with the KU Career Center

Eric Kros graduated from the University of Kansas in 2020 with a double major in Political Science and Public Administration as well as a minor in Business. During his time at KU, he worked at the Dole Institute of Politics as a Development Intern and Discussion Group Student Coordinator. In 2017, Eric interned for Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) in her Omaha district office. The next two summers, he interned for Urban Swirski and Associates, a Washington, D.C.-based government relations firm focused on tax and trade issues. Eric then spent early 2020 as a Legislative Intern for Braden, Heidner, Lowe and Associates, a Topeka-based lobbying firm. In May of 2020, Eric started his career as an intern at a multi-client lobbying firm in Washington, D.C., Capitol Hill Consulting Group (CHCG). He was then hired as a Legislative Assistant and eventually promoted to Legislative Director. At CHCG, Eric primarily works in the Tribal, association, energy, municipal, and agriculture space.
Raina Peter is a senior at the University of Kansas studying Economics and Political Science. She is an outreach coordinator at the Dole Institute of Politics and has had two internships in Washington DC. In Summer 2022, she interned at the Department of State in the Office of Investment Affairs. In Summer 2023, she interned on Capitol Hill for Representative Sharice Davids. While she doesn’t have confirmed plans post-graduation, she hopes to return to DC in the political space whether that is for the government, think tank, or research-based firm.
Amanda Petersen works to improve opportunities for young Kansans to thrive as the Director of Early Childhood at the Kansas State Department of Education. She graduated from the University of Kansas with bachelor’s degrees in economics and political science in 2015 and earned a master’s degree in public administration in 2018. Her D.C. internship supporting state advocacy organizations, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, led to a subsequent semester as an intern in the Kansas Legislature and to her first jobs in state-level policy advocacy at Kansas Action for Children.
Mandy Snodgrass grew up on a small farm in northeast Kansas and graduated from KU. She has worked in a variety of political and nonprofit positions since high school, including on federal and state campaigns, in the Kansas statehouse, and now in Washington D.C. Currently, Mandy lives in Washington D.C. and works for Heritage Action, the political partner organization of The Heritage Foundation as a Manager of Donor Communications. While at KU, she interned on Capitol Hill for a former Kansas representative and also for the National Down Syndrome Society, also in Washington DC.

Bolstering Elections Administration: A Conversation with State and Local Officials
2024-02-15 19:00 - 20:15 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
Join the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics and the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate for a conversation with Kansas election officials Jamie Shew, Douglas County Clerk, and Scott Schwab, Kansas Secretary of State, about the state of election administration in Kansas, including the challenges they face, and how they might be addressed and what support—including financial—they’ll need to bolster resilient elections in Kansas.

This program is presented in partnership with the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.

Jamie Shew was elected County Clerk/County Election Officer for Douglas County, Kansas in 2004. He is currently in his fourth term of office. Prior to his election, he worked in higher education administration and business management. He is active in Election Center, IaGo, GFOA, Kansas Association of Counties, and Kansas County Clerks & Elections Officials Association, where he served as president in 2014-15. Jamie has achieved Master County Clerk status in Kansas and earned national Certified Election Registration Administrator (CERA) status in 2017.

Scott Schwab serves as the Kansas Secretary of State. He first entered public office in 2002 serving as a representative in the Kansas House of Representatives. During this time, he chaired multiple committees and acted as Speaker Pro Tempore. In 2018, Schwab won the election to become the Kansas Secretary of State. As part of his work in this role, Schwab has made it a priority to offer guidance and support to county election officials. He has also worked to enhance the Office business filing system and to improve IT security. Additionally, Schwab is committed to ensuring that Kansas is recognized as a top state for election integrity, where every vote counts as one person’s voice. In 2023, Schwab was elected as the President of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS).

2024 SPRING | Obstacles and Opportunities: Tackling Sustainability in Kansas
2024-02-20 - 2024-03-26
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 related to sustainability in Kansas that students wanted to address.

This series is presented in partnership with the Kansas Rural Center.

The Farm Bill: Food and Hunger in the Heartland
February 20, 2024

The Farm Bill, a massive omnibus legislation covering a wide range of issues from agricultural practices to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), is on the docket for this coming year’s Congress. The Farm Bill dictates the most profitable and economical practices for Kansas’s largest industry, agriculture, and will shape farming and food stamp policies for the next 5 years. Join us with Senior Agriculture Advisor to Representative Sharice Davids, Zach Helder, and Executive Director of Kansas Farmers Union, Nick Levendofsky, to discuss the prevailing issues, debates, and environmental impact of this highly influential legislation. Karen Willey will lead this semester’s four-part Discussion Group Series.
This program is presented in partnership with the Kansas Farmers Union and the KU Department of Political Science.

Sink or Swim: The Future of Water in Kansas
February 27, 2024

Working lands, ecosystems, towns, and cities all need scarce water resources to survive in an uncertain future. With a plethora of legal battles and competing interests between powerful players, water access, quantity, and quality is a hot topic in Kansas. In discussion with Representatives Lindsay Vaughn and Kenny Titus, we explore the state of water quantity and quality and the conversations happening within the state. Karen Willey will lead this semester’s four-part Discussion Group Series.
This program is presented in partnership with the KU Honors Program.

Powering the Next Generation: Renewable Energy Options and Hurdles in Kansas
March 19, 2024

As one of the most widely discussed topics with a vast array of stakeholders, the future of renewable energy in Kansas is unclear. Taking into consideration the environmental and economic impacts of various forms of energy, we look at what direction Kansas is headed and where it could go. Join us with Climate + Energy Project Program Director Allison Thomas, Douglas County Planning Commission Chair Gary Rexroad, Evergy Clean Energy Development Manager Brandon Sack, and State Geologist of Kansas Jay Kalbas to discuss the future of renewable energy development in Kansas by means of public policy, community action, and environmental necessity. Karen Willey will lead this semester’s four-part Discussion Group Series.

Where Do We Go Now?: The Politics and Policies of Climate Adaptation in Kansas
March 26, 2024

Kansas is facing the question of how to create a livable state in the face of climate change. How can rural and urban areas adapt to become more resilient? As the environmental and ecological effects of a changing climate rapidly progress, local communities and nations alike are finding new solutions to this crisis. Join Douglas County, Kansas Food Waste Reduction Specialist Jamie Hofling, Kansas Rural Center Executive Director Tom Buller, KU Associate Professor Ward Lyles, and Earthjustice Senior Director Jasmin Moore for this conversation with Dole Fellow Karen Willey.
This program is presented in partnership with the KU School of Public Affairs Administration, and the Department of Environmental Studies.

Celebrating Black History Month: A Conversation on Race
2024-02-28 19:00 - 20:15 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
Join us for A Conversation on Race with Shawn Alexander, Professor and Chair of KU’s African and African American Studies, and Deborah Dandridge, associate librarian, field archivist and curator of African American Experience Collections for the Spencer Research Library.
The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Barbara Ballard, senior associate director of the Dole Institute.

World Leaders in Wartime: Winfield Scott and Joint Warfare in 1847-1848
2024-03-06 15:00 - 16:15 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
In March of 1847 General Winfield Scott led the first large-scale joint operation in U.S. history. Seeking to compel a favorable conclusion to the ongoing war with Mexico, the veteran U.S. Army commander developed an ad hoc partnership with the U.S. Navy to conduct an amphibious landing and assault on the fortress city of Veracruz along the Gulf of Mexico. This cooperation between the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy, which occurred in the absence of joint doctrine or American precedent, set conditions for a successful march on Mexico City and would establish an enduring cornerstone for the American Way of War.
Lieutenant Colonel Nathan Jennings is an Army Strategist and Associate Professor in the Department of Joint, Interagency, and Multinational Operations at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. With a background in armored warfare and counterinsurgency, he served combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and previously taught history at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. Jennings is a graduate of the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies, holds a Master of Arts in History from the University of Texas at Austin, and earned a PhD in History from the University of Kent.
The Ft. Leavenworth Series
The Ft. Leavenworth Series is an annual roster of lectures focusing on significant historical events, usually with an emphasis on military history. Each lecture is presented by faculty from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Established by General William Tecumseh Sherman in 1881, the CGSC is the graduate college for U.S. Army and sister service officers. The esteemed faculty and guests of the CGSC provide unique and captivating insights into the history of military conflict from the ancient to the modern ages at the Dole Institute of Politics.

The opinions expressed herein are those of the individual and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency.

Kansas Speaks: the Crossroads of Policy and Public Opinion
2024-03-25 19:00 - 20:15 | The Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66045, United States
Discover the intersection of policy and public opinion at the Spring Student Advisory Board Program moderated by SAB Coordinator Allie Haggar featuring a panel of Kansas Speaks Contributor Dr. Alexandra Middlewood, as well as Rep. Christina Haswood and Rep. Nick Hoheisel, two legislative members of the Kansas Future Caucus, representing both Republican and Democrat perspectives. Join us for a discussion on key insights from the 2023 Kansas Speaks public opinion survey, addressing issues such as marijuana legalization, Medicaid expansion, abortion rights, climate change, and more. This event will explore crucial topics affecting young people and the wider community in Kansas, combining data-driven insights from the survey with real-world experiences and legislative perspectives.
Dr. Alexandra Middlewood is the Political Science Department Chair at Wichita State University. Her areas of expertise include public opinion, political behavior, gun politics, and gender. She is a contributing columnist for Insight Kansas, a Policy Fellow at the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University, contributes to the annual Kansas Speaks public opinion survey, and is the former President of the Great Plains Political Science Association. She earned her PhD in Political Science at KU in 2019.
Rep. Christina Haswood (Diné/Navajo) is a State Legislator for the Kansas State House of Representatives House District 10. She is the Ranking Minority Member on the Joint Committee on State and Tribal Relations. She is known for her Native American and public health policy expertise. Christina helped pass Kansas’ first Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) bill in 2021 and is an avid champion of reproductive rights. Christina is known for using social media in politics and for building the bench for young Kansans to be involved in state politics.
Rep. Nick Hoheisel is a Republican member of the Kansas House of Representatives from the 97th district. Elected in November 2018, he assumed office in 2019. Hoheisel is a native of Wichita, Kansas, and co-chair of the Kansas Future Caucus.
