Politics Unplugged: A Student-Only Series Brimming with Engaging Discussion
January 5, 2026 - Features
by Jacob McCarty | Discussion Group Coordinator
The fall 2025 semester saw the continuation of a series now titled “Politics Unplugged.” At a time when people tend to only talk to those in their same ideological bubbles, Student Advisory Board members felt they needed a program where they could discuss hot topic issues in a respectful and viewpoint-diverse space. Politics Unplugged is a series of off-the-record conversations surrounding politics. The mission of the series is to foster discussion on topics that are currently facing Kansas and the nation in a truly bipartisan manner. The fall semester’s discussions were facilitated by Dole Fellows Jeff King and Paul Davis.
Jeff King is a former Kansas legislator who spent 10 years representing rural communities in the Kansas House and Senate. From 2013 to 2016, he served as Vice President of the Kansas Senate and chaired several key committees, including Judiciary and Rules. A practicing attorney for more than 20 years, Jeff has handled complex litigation and was lead counsel in major school finance cases. He currently serves as the Vice President and COO of the Rodel Institute, where he leads bipartisan leadership programs across the country. A Truman and Marshall Scholar, Jeff holds degrees from Brown, Cambridge, and Yale Law School.
Paul Davis served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 2003 to 2015, representing the 46th district in Lawrence. During that time, he was elected to three terms as the House Minority Leader. Paul has also been a candidate for Governor of Kansas and the United States Congress. He is currently a practicing attorney and has a governmental consulting business in Lawrence and Topeka.
Discussion Group Coordinators pose with Fall 2025 fellows. Photo by Kenna McNally.
The first program of the series was titled, “A Conversation on Faith, Free Speech, and the Separation of Church and State.” The hour-and-a-half-long discussion had phenomenal engagement among the students, with many sharing their experiences attending private religious institutions. The differing viewpoints were shared without judgment, and each student was given the space to interact with the various aspects of the topic.
The second conversation of the series, “Lines That Divide – Gerrymandering in U.S. Politics,” was another resounding success. In this program, students were able to critically consider the topic of gerrymandering with outstanding moderation from Paul and Jeff, two experienced legislators.
The final discussion was titled, “Family Planning and the Politics of Parenthood.” This program served as a perfect finale, with the students engaging in dynamic discussion. Each student brought a unique perspective and was willing to share their thoughts on the expansive subject of family planning.
Attendees of the final Politics Unplugged program, “Family Planning and the Politics of Parenthood,” pose for a group photo outside the Dole Institute. Photo by Kenna McNally.
Overall, the Politics Unplugged series was successful in cultivating an environment where differing viewpoints could be freely expressed. Many students shared that experiencing the sense of community, understanding, and civility that arose from this series was inspiring. The Student Advisory Board is grateful to Jeff King and Paul Davis for moderating this series, always ensuring that students had the space to share.
Jacob McCarty serves as one of the Dole Institute’s Discussion Group Coordinators. In this role, he promotes events, provides assistance to guests, and ensure programs run smoothly. Jacob is a senior studying political science, public administration, and leadership studies.
About the Dole Institute
Inspired by the leadership legacies of Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole, and the enduring civic contributions of the Greatest Generation, the Dole Institute of Politics strives to promote a new era of leadership that uses politics to bring people together through opportunities that emphasize bipartisan cooperation, public service, and civic education and engagement.
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