Students Visit with Sen. Elizabeth Dole, SAB Alumni, and Georgetown IOP During Trip to Washington, D.C.
December 26, 2025 - Features
by Nathan Binshtok, Ava Levin, Jacob McCarty, and Maddie Zeller | Student Advisory Board members
Student Advisory Board members pose for a photo in front of the White House in Washington, D.C. Photo by Sarah Stacy.
As a reward for years of active involvement, four Student Advisory Board members had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. for the first time. The three-day trip was jam-packed with sightseeing, a visit to Georgetown’s Institute of Politics, and so much more.
Soon after arriving, the students had the honor of meeting Senator Elizabeth Dole. Despite their nervousness in meeting one of the Dole Institute’s namesakes, their nerves were quickly put at ease. Sen. Dole was one of the most welcoming, amiable people they could have ever imagined. Each of the students received a private introduction with Senate Dole, followed by an intimate discussion in the lobby of the Watergate Hotel.
Students and Sarah Stacy pose for a photograph with Senator Elizabeth Dole in the lobby of the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. Photo by Sarah Stacy.
Each student was able to speak with Sen. Dole about their interests and career goals. The aspiring lawyers in the group asked Sen. Dole about her experience as one of the only women in her Harvard Law School class. Similarly, students interested in public service remarked on her time as Secretary of Transportation and President of the American Red Cross. Sen. Dole’s impressive resumé and sage advice ensured each student left the conversation with a sense of encouragement and an increased admiration for her many achievements.
One of the most enjoyable parts of the students’ discussion with Sen. Dole was their lighthearted small talk. Despite not being born in Kansas, Sen. Dole shared her enthusiasm for the Kansas City Chiefs and her love for the Lawrence community. Students also had the opportunity to meet members of the Dole family, dogs Leader IV and Blazer. Meeting her pets gave the students an additional insight into Sen. Dole’s personal life.
Overall, the visit provided the group of students with a newfound appreciation for the Dole Institute. It felt impossible to grasp how special the visit and hearing Sen. Dole’s belief in public service and civic engagement truly was. Each student left the visit proud to represent the Dole Institute of Politics.
After meeting with Sen. Dole, the students had the opportunity to get dinner with former Student Advisory Board members. Along with a tasty dinner, a delightful discussion was had all around the table. With new and old friends coming together, the conversation was quickly filled with memories, current topics, and even some networking!
Current and former Student Advisory Board members gather for dinner in Washington, D.C. Photo by Sarah Stacy.
On the second day of their trip, the students visited the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service. Georgetown’s Institute of Politics runs a semester-long Fellows Program that connects its students with national political leaders. Each fellow leads small, 90-minute discussion groups on timely political issues and hosts weekly office hours, providing students direct access to the experts shaping today’s political landscape.
Students and Sarah Stacy pose for a photo inside of the Georgetown Institute of Politics during their visit. Photo by Sarah Stacy.
During the visit, the students were able to attend two of these discussion groups. The first was led by Amy Howe, co-founder and primary reporter for SCOTUS blog, who explored the Supreme Court in the Age of Trump. The second program featured Laphonza Butler, former U.S. Senator for California, who discussed artificial intelligence, labor, and the future of work. Both events featured lively discussion, sharp questions, and a thoughtful exchange between fellows and students–all set in the cozy GU Politics living room beneath historic Healy Hall.
Students pose for a photo in front of the historic Healy Hall at Georgetown University. Photo by Sarah Stacy.
Students also met with leaders from Georgetown’s Institute of Politics’ own Student Advisory Board, who kindly offered a campus tour and shared insights about their experiences in the program. The evening concluded with a dinner at Peacock Café, giving the students time to reflect on the day and exchange perspectives.
Of course, a trip to Washington, D.C., would not be complete without seeing all the iconic structures and monuments that form the nation’s capital. The students went on a self-led tour of the National Mall, taking time to visit the Washington Monument, the exterior of the White House, and the World War II memorial, among many others.
With over 150 monuments, memorials, fountains, museums, and reservations to see, the students found themselves back at the National Mall each day of the trip. Of course, with their trip taking place during the longest government shutdown in history, their plans did have to shift. However, they were able to explore many corners of Washington, D.C., including Dupont Circle, the District Wharf, and many other unexpected areas that they otherwise would not have had time to visit.
Perhaps one of the most serendipitous moments of the stroll around the National Mall was stumbling upon the dedication plaque for Senator Dole, which notes his contributions to the erection of the World War II Memorial and his tireless support for U.S. veterans.
Student Advisory Board members pose in front of a plaque dedicated to Senator Bob Dole in Washington, D.C. Photo by Jacob McCarty.
The SAB trip inspired each student to continue approaching the political landscape with curiosity, courage, and perseverance. This was a fantastic first trip to the nation’s capital for the four students, which would not have been the same without the planning done by Sarah Stacy, Director of Programs and Student Affairs at the Dole Institute. The students left Washington, D.C., feeling empowered to continue pursuing their passions and excited to return to the city in the future.
Nathan Binshtok is a third year at the University of Kansas studying economics, political science, and data science. He is the Student Outreach Coordinator at the Dole Institute and has previously served as the Institute’s Pizza and Politics Coordinator. Nathan particularly enjoys Dole Institute events that focused on the legal field, such as The Counselors, as he plans on attending law school in the future.
Ava Levin is a second-year student studying political science, English, and Spanish at the University of Kansas. She serves as a Discussion Group Coordinator at the Dole Institute. Ava has had the honor of participating in the Dole Institute’s Counselors program, a cross between mock trial and debate, alongside Visiting Dole Fellows Pedro Irigonegaray and Ed Duckers as well as Washburn School of Law students.
Jacob McCarty serves as one of the Discussion Group Coordinators at the Dole Institute. In this role, he promotes events, provides assistance to guests, and ensures that programs run smoothly. Jacob is a senior at the University of Kansas studying political science, public administration, and leadership studies.
Maddie Zeller is a sophomore studying business management and leadership as well as political science at the University of Kansas. She is a member of the Dole Institute’s Student Advisory Board, where she has had the opportunity to volunteer at numerous events. Maddie continues to be inspired by the Institute’s mission of creating an environment that fosters bipartisanship through meaningful discussions and civic engagement efforts.
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.
The Dole Institute is committed to universal accessibility in all programs and resources. We are in the process of making all of our web projects fully accessible. An accessible version of the material represented on this site will be made available upon request. Please contact us at doleinstitute@ku.edu to request the material be made available in an accessible format, or for general assistance.