Discussion Groups
Dole Fellow Joni Wickham interviews former Kansas City, MO, Mayor Sly James.
Each semester, the Dole Institute selects local or national practitioners to serve as a Dole Fellow. As part of their appointment, Fellows craft a series of programs designed to build appreciation for civic or political involvement with students at the University of Kansas and the surrounding community.
Learn more about the Dole Fellowship program and explore past and current Dole Fellows on our website.
Upcoming Programs
Previous Discussion Groups Series
Discussion Groups
High Stakes Leadership: A Leadership Case Study in Innovation, Resiliency, and Impact
November 12, 2025
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…
Journalism and Civic Engagement: Is There a Connection and Should There Be?
October 22, 2025
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…
Bipartisan Consensus Building: Making Public Policy Work for Everyone
October 08, 2025
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…
Turning Research, Policy Solutions and Civic Engagement into Results for Kansas Women
September 24, 2025
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,…
Transformational Leadership: Exhausting and Exhilarating
September 10, 2025
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…
SPRING 2025 | Exactly How Much Power Does an American President Have?
February 19, 2025
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…
FALL 2024 | Beyond the Ballot: Understanding the 2024 Elections
September 25, 2024
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…
FALL 2024 | Congress in the 21st Century
September 18, 2024
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…
2024 SPRING | Obstacles and Opportunities: Tackling Sustainability in Kansas
February 20, 2024
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…
2023 SPRING | Building Democracy in the 21st Century
February 15, 2023
“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…
2022 FALL | Big Stakes, Big Consequences
September 14, 2022
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…
2022 SPRING | Giants of the Senate
February 16, 2022
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…
2021 FALL | What’s the Matter with American Politics: How Fake News, Black Women, COVID-19, Presidents 45 and 46, and Protests Might Shape Politics in 2022
September 22, 2021
The fall 2021 discussion group series will examine how the political issues, leaders, and events of the past couple years have brought us to our current political climate and explore how these factors will impact the upcoming 2022 election…
2021 SPRING | The Modern American City: Past, Present, and Future
February 24, 2021
Dole Fellow Patrick TuoheyRead more about Dole Fellows >>This program is made possible through the generosity of Newman’s Own Foundation The Shifts that Shape Our Cities, Demographic…
2020 FALL | Politics, Pandemic and Protests
September 23, 2020
Unpacking the 2020 general election with the Dole Institute's fall fellow, Collen McCain Nelson, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and Vice-President of the Kansas City Star.Dole Fellow Colleen McCain NelsonRead more about Dole Fellows >>The…
2020 SPRING | Spying in the Cyber Age
February 12, 2020
Dole Fellow Ron MarksRead more about Dole Fellows >>The Dole Discussion Groups are made possible be a grant from Newman’s Own Recruiting in the Cyber World – Q or Bond or…
2019 FALL | Create Change: Women, Democracy and Global Politics
September 25, 2019
Dole Fellow Nancy BocskorRead more about Dole Fellows >>Do you dream of creating change in your community, state or country? Are you ready to become a more effective advocate, activist or even an elected official? This fall, Dole fellow Nancy…
2019 SPRING | International Trade in the 21st Century
February 13, 2019
Dole Fellow Ethan CorsonRead more about Dole Fellows >>Once considered an area of bipartisan consensus, support has eroded for the idea that free trade benefits the U.S. and that engagement with the global economy is essential to the nation’s…
2018 FALL | Political Campaigns, Top to Bottom: Data, Door Knocking and the 2018 Midterms
September 12, 2018
Dole Fellow Kelly DietrichTechnology has transformed every aspect of the modern political campaign, from polling to messaging to fundraising and beyond. Kelly Dietrich, founder of the National Democratic Training Committee (NDTC) and KU alumnus,…
2018 SPRING | Rise of the Independents: Candidates and Reform in 2018 and Beyond
February 21, 2018
Dole Fellow Jim JonasRead more about Dole Fellows >>In a partisan political environment, independent or unaffiliated voters now represent the largest voting bloc in many U.S. states. Can independent and third party candidacies seize upon this…
2017 FALL | The Elusive Quest for the Lacrosse Mom: How do Politicians, Corporations, Organizations and the Community Engage Women?
September 12, 2017
Dole Fellow Cherylyn Harley LeBonAn experienced campaign advisor, D.C. insider and media contributor, fall fellow Cherylyn Harley LeBon will lead a discussion group series examining how various organizations, corporations and political entities…
2017 SUMMER | Beyond the Border: U.S.-Mexico Relations
May 24, 2017
Dole Fellow Christina LuhnRead more about Dole Fellows >>For many, the U.S.-Mexico border presents a problem, for others, an economic opportunity. An expert in cross-border economic development, Christina Luhn will lead a summer discussion…
2017 SPRING | President Trump: The First 100 Days
March 01, 2017
Dole Fellows Henry “C.J.” Jackson and Johanna MaskaRead more about Dole Fellows >>Fresh off a dramatic election season, KU alums Henry “C.J.” Jackson and Johanna Maska will examine and interpret the first 100 days of the Trump…
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