Schar School of Policy and Government

Center for Business Civic Engagement

Introducing a New Minor in Lobbying and Advocacy—and Meet the Student Who Helped Create It

Andrew J Schappert — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 17:23:33 +0000

Introducing a New Minor in Lobbying and Advocacy—and Meet the Student Who Helped Create It Andrew J Schappert Thu, 03/12/2026 - 13:23

A new Schar School of Policy and Government undergraduate minor debuts in fall 2026: Lobbying and Advocacy is an interdisciplinary minor that develops students' understanding of policy institutions and industries, and how to influence both as a professional advocate.

Zayd Hamid: ‘It came down to building the program I wish I had access to as an undergraduate.’ Photo provided

The program, one of only two in the country and the only one in the Washington, D.C., region, will offer opportunities for experiential learning, including field projects, internships at key Washington, D.C., firms, and the �鶹��Ƶ’s annual grassroots advocacy trip �鶹��Ƶ Lobbies to the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond, Virginia.

The course was codeveloped by Schar School Term Professor David K. Rehr, professor of public policy and director of the Center for Business Civic Engagement, and Zayd Hamid, a master of public policy student (with an emphasis in education policy), over a multiyear process.

Rehr, a former longtime advocate for major nonprofit organizations including the National Association of Broadcasters and the National Federation of Independent Businesses, is happy to share the inspiration for the course with Hamid, who had the idea as an undergraduate in the Schar School’s public administration program.

“He drafted the outline of the minor and I adjusted it to maximize value for students from various George �鶹��Ƶ departments whose students could benefit,” he said. Students in degree programs including business, communication, conflict analysis and resolution, environmental and sustainability studies, economics, and other fields would find lobbying skills useful.

“Given our location near Washington, D.C., the minor will be taught by a stable of top academics and practitioners, and graduates will be prepared to advocate effectively for meaningful and efficient change, even if they do not become full-time lobbyists themselves,” he said.

“The government,” Rehr added, “is increasingly becoming more involved in the activities of businesses, nonprofits, and other industries and professionals who understand the advocacy process who can provide innovative solutions will be increasingly valuable to their employers.”

David K. Rehr: ‘Given our location near Washington, D.C., the minor will be taught by a stable of top academics and practitioners, and graduates will be prepared to advocate effectively for meaningful and efficient change …’

For Hamid, the minor is personal. As his graduation approached in spring 2024, the proudly first-generation college student began thinking less about what he had accomplished as a student and more about what he would leave behind.

His college accomplishments were substantial, among them, discovering advocacy through �鶹��Ƶ Lobbies, serving as a panelist for a congressional staff briefing on financial aid, and being named the inaugural National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics Student Advocate of the Year, an award he dedicated to Rehr.

“The nexus between all those pivotal moments in my undergraduate years was taking Dr. Rehr’s GOVT 318 Interest Groups, Lobbying, and the Political Process class,” Hamid said. “I am a direct product of the wisdom and industry insights he shared with me and of the mentorship and support he’s given me over the years…. His class and �鶹��Ƶ Lobbies shaped the trajectory of my undergraduate experience, cultivating my interest in policy into a passion for education advocacy.”

As he considered what he could leave as a legacy, the answer became clear: “It came down to building the program I wish I had access to as an undergraduate,” he said.

Hamid, who is a graduate professional assistant with George �鶹��Ƶ’s University Life, is cochair of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia Student Advisory Committee, the commonwealth’s coordinating agency for higher education. That latter role, alongside his previous experience as the student representative on the education integrity advisory �鶹��Ƶ Core Committee, accustomed him to academic program policies at a state and institutional level. This positioned him to support his and Rehr's proposal through George �鶹��Ƶ's internal processes, culminating in a final vote by the Undergraduate Council in December, clearing the way for inclusion in the catalog in fall 2026

The proposal’s review was expedited and streamlined amid political shifts in Washington, which, to Hamid’s mind, created opportunities for employment for graduates.

“Federal furloughs and a changing Washington, D.C, policy landscape have resulted in more students exploring careers outside of—but adjacent to—Congress and the White House,” he said. “So, this minor also helps the Schar School meet the moment and respond to a shifting job market.”

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David Rehr

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�鶹��Ƶ Lobbies

Lobbying and Advocacy

Master of Public Policy

education policy

public administration

First Generation

Corruption Networks and Transnational Crime Research Center

minors

CONTRA: Schar School Announces New Center Focusing on Transnational Crime, Corruption, and the Networks That Sustain Them

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 18:49:49 +0000

CONTRA: Schar School Announces New Center Focusing on Transnational Crime, Corruption, and the Networks That Sustain Them Andrew J Schappert Mon, 03/09/2026 - 14:49

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Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera

Janine R. Wedel

Naoru Koizumi

Louise I. Shelley

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The Schar School of Policy and Government at �鶹��Ƶ announces the launch of the Corruption, Networks, and Transnational Crime Research Center—CONTRA—a research hub dedicated to advancing the study of one of today’s most urgent global challenges—transnational crime.

Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera

Building on the Schar School’s longstanding strengths, CONTRA brings together the faculty’s broad, interdisciplinary, and highly regarded expertise to investigate the complex dynamics of transnational crime and its far-reaching impacts on global order.

CONTRA’s cutting-edge scholarship underscores the Schar School’s role as a leader in the study of transnational crime. Led by codirectors Professor Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, Professor and Omer L. and Nancy Hirst Endowed Chair Naoru Koizumi, and Distinguished University Professor Janine Wedel, the center draws on each of their landmark contributions to their fields:

Wedel’s seminal analyses of corruption and informal power networks reveal how elites operate across blurred public–private boundaries, reshaping governance and accountability worldwide.
Koizumi’s highly innovative quantitative methods and network modeling approaches illuminate illicit organ trafficking and other hidden economies, offering powerful and practical tools to understand and disrupt criminal markets.
Correa-Cabrera’s research on migration, borderlands, networks, and criminal organizations has significantly advanced understanding of the intersections between human smuggling, organized crime, and state power.

Naoru Koizumi

Together, their pathbreaking scholarship pushes the boundaries of how transnational crime can be understood and studied, combining deep empirical insights with sophisticated and diverse methodological approaches.

The team leads a seasoned staff of researchers and academics who are well-regarded in their respective fields and bring their knowledge and expertise to George �鶹��Ƶ classrooms.

“CONTRA presents a great opportunity to nurture cutting-edge scholarship on topics of crucial import to the future of democracy and security,” said Wedel, a pioneer of applying anthropological insights to corruption.

“This is such a great opportunity to contribute to the study of different forms of transnational crime and illicit networks from an interdisciplinary perspective and using complex methodologies in the areas of data analysis and machine learning,” said Correa-Cabrera, an internationally recognized expert on immigration and border security. “Working with Janine and Naoru, this will be possible.”

Janine Wedel

For her part, Koizumi is looking forward to “learning from each other, collaborating with more faculty, and furthering this important area of international security research.”

CONTRA builds on the storied legacy of the Schar School’s Terrorism, Transnational Crime, and Corruption Center (TraCCC) founded by Louise I. Shelley, now Distinguished University Professor Emerita, as the first academic center in the United States devoted to exploring the links among terrorism, transnational crime, and corruption. TraCCC’s trailblazing work in research, policy engagement, and training provides the strong foundation on which CONTRA now stands.

The center will launch its public programming with “From Cartels to Combatants: The Intense Militarization of America’s Drug War” on Monday, March 23, from 1 to 6 p.m. at FUSE 1311 at �鶹��Ƶ Square. The conference will examine the impacts of the designation of transnational criminal organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and assess the legal, diplomatic, operational, and strategic consequences of that shift.

The event is free and open to the public; registration is required. For questions, contact contra@gmu.edu.

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CONTRA

Government and International Politics

Research

Four Schar School Student-Athletes Score Provost Awards—and Not for the First Time

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 21:35:57 +0000

Four Schar School Student-Athletes Score Provost Awards—and Not for the First Time Andrew J Schappert Mon, 03/02/2026 - 16:35

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Four Schar School of Policy and Government student-athletes were among the 78 from �鶹��Ƶ athletics who received the 2026 Peter N. Stearns Provost Scholar-Athlete Award in February. All four were awarded the distinction multiple times in their Schar School careers.

Two-Time Winners

June Johnson, the coxswain on the women’s rowing team, is a senior graduating after three years in the international security and law program. She is from Warrenton, Virginia.

June Johnson, women’s rowing, poses with her award with Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Ajay Vinzé, left, and Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis, right.

“For me, balancing my academic and athletic schedule comes down to intentional planning and centering in purpose,” she said. “It’s also about gravitating toward things you enjoy—take classes that genuinely interest you and try every new opportunity till you find something you can’t imagine putting down.

“I love my school, my team, and what I do. Because of that, I’m always excited to work hard to elevate my community and go the extra step.”

For new and prospective students weighing options, she said, “I like the saying ‘If not now, then when? If not you, then who?’ Every day is a new opportunity and it’s always important to center in the value and reward of taking chances and putting in the effort to reach your goals.”

Learn more about Johnson’s journey in the story, ”Balancing Oars and Advocacy.”

Carly Passaro, who plays defense on the women’s soccer team, is a GVIP junior from Farmington, Connecticut.

Carly Passaro, women’s soccer

“Managing an elite athletic career with successful academic performance requires discipline and consistent effort,” she said. “Striving to perform at the highest level possible in every aspect of my life is what continually motivates me to push myself.”

Three-Time Winners

GVIP 2025 graduate Kaitlyn Bestick, a goalkeeper on the women’s lacrosse team, is a current student in the Master of Political Science program from Fredericksburg, Virginia. She will finish her Bachelor’s to Accelerated Master’s (BAM) degree program in May.

Kaitlyn Bestick, women’s lacrosse

“Managing an academic and athletic career as intense as this one, it has been a collection of leaning on the people around me,” she said.

“The connection between the athletic and academic staff allows for a seamless transition from student-to-athlete and is without a doubt the reason I have been able to be successful.

“The lacrosse team specifically places a high emphasis on our academic success—the time set aside, and the consistent support, from our coaches makes managing this intensity much easier.”

Catilin Cardin is a team leader in co-ed cheerleading and a government and international politics (GVIP) senior from Tolland, Connecticut.

Caitlin Cardin, co-ed cheerleading

“I manage both cheerleading and academics by utilizing time-management skills and setting aside specific times throughout my day to complete my schoolwork,” she said, offering good advice for any student. “I structure my days, assigning time for my schoolwork, my job, my personal life, and my sport. While it is not easy, it is certainly achievable if you stay focused and determined.”

The Provost Scholar-Athlete Award was established in 2009 by then-Provost Peter N. Stearns to recognize student-athletes who have earned at least 38 credit hours at George �鶹��Ƶ and achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher.

“This award represents the very best of what it means to be a George �鶹��Ƶ student-athlete,” said Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis at the award ceremony. “Tonight is not just about athletic talent—it's about discipline, curiosity, leadership, and the mindset required to bring your best in every arena.

“Keep working hard. Keep pushing forward. And keep inspiring the people around you—because you are the standard.”

Topics

Master of Political Science

International Security and Law

Bachelor’s to Accelerated Master’s

Patriot Profile

Student Athlete

Honors College student leads with purpose, passion, and a global vision

Katarina Benson — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 20:04:36 +0000

Honors College student leads with purpose, passion, and a global vision Katarina Benson Wed, 02/25/2026 - 15:04

Honors College student Marisa Parikh embodies the drive, curiosity, and global mindset that define �鶹��Ƶ students. She serves as president of Be the Change, a student-led organization dedicated to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on campus. Under her leadership, the group focuses on raising awareness and inspiring action around the goals that most directly affect George �鶹��Ƶ students.

On March 2, Parikh and Be the Change will take part in in a virtual panel “Embrace Healing and Reconciliation in Countries That Suffer from Broken Systems.” Open to students and the public, this student-led conversation explores how restorative justice can help repair harm, rebuild trust, and transform systems affected by deep structural inequities. It also serves as a prelude to the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution’s spring Peace Week.

Marisa Parikh is president of Be the Change. Photo provided

Parikh arrived at George �鶹��Ƶ already ahead of the curve, having earned her associate’s degree at the Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg, Virginia, while still in high school. Today, she is pursuing a major in public administration at the Schar School of Government and Policy, paired with a minor in conflict resolution and analysis from the Carter School.

Her commitment to meaningful impact took root during an internship with George �鶹��Ƶ professor Solon Simmons at the Carter School’s Narrative Transformation Lab. There, she contributed to Little Minds, Strong Values (LMSV), a Rotary International-supported initiative in Sri Lanka that uses music and dance to teach children values like kindness, honesty, and respect. Parikh conducted ripple mapping research to help measure the project’s reach and influence—an experience she describes as transformative.

“Working on Little Minds, Strong Values helped me find my niche,” she said. “The South Asian community is my community and contributing to a project that uplifts children in that region was incredibly fulfilling. My coursework and the LMSV project together were a pivotal moment for me.”

“Marisa was a core member of our lab team, anchoring a ripple effects mapping evaluation in Sri Lanka, a key research site in our Rotary partnership, and representing the Carter School in a national student dialogue on civic engagement at the University of Delaware,” said Simmons.
“She made a substantive contribution to the school in more than one area and was a delight to work with.”   

After her internship, Parikh’s sense of purpose continued to grow. She became involved with Ashiyanaa, a nonprofit supporting South Asian women and children affected by gender-based and domestic violence. Her work with Ashiyanaa led her to join the Collective Organizations of South Asia (COSA), a George �鶹��Ƶ student group dedicated to unity and cultural celebration. Through these connections, she helped facilitate a workshop on interpersonal relationship violence within the South Asian community—an effort that blended advocacy, education, and cultural understanding.

Parikh’s love for her heritage also shines through in her creative life. As a member of the COSA dance team, she performs styles from across South Asia and helps shape the team’s digital presence as co–social media coordinator. Though she enjoys the full range of regional dance traditions, Gujarati Garba, a dance form from Gujarat, India, holds a special place in her heart. “It’s where my family is from. I grew up doing it,” she said.

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The full study can be seen at this webpage.

Poverty vs. Wealth: New Study Shows Biggest Buyers and Sellers of Illicit Kidneys

Andrew J Schappert — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 17:55:50 +0000

Poverty vs. Wealth: New Study Shows Biggest Buyers and Sellers of Illicit Kidneys Andrew J Schappert Wed, 02/25/2026 - 12:55

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Naoru Koizumi

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The study created a map of countries playing significant roles in the buying and selling of illicit kidneys.

An international team of researchers from �鶹��Ƶ, Harvard University, and the University of Tokyo have used artificial intelligence to map the global underground market for illegal kidney transplants, finding that the United States consistently ranks among the world’s largest illicit importers.

The Schar School’s Naoru Koizumi led the international team that studied the illicit kidney trade.

The study, led by Naoru Koizumi, a professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government, and Schar School colleagues Olzhas Zhorayev, Zifu Wang, and Meng-Hao Li, as well as Chaowei Yang, a professor in the Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science in the College of Science.

The study appears in the International Journal of Health Geographics.

Illegal organ trafficking is widely viewed by health experts as a major but poorly measured global crisis. More than 840 million people worldwide live with chronic kidney disease, and demand for transplants far exceeds supply. On average, only about 13.5 kidney transplants occur for every 255 patients who need one, according to the study. Long waiting times—sometimes up to five years—contribute to roughly seven percent of patients dying or leaving transplant lists annually.

To better understand the hidden market, the researchers analyzed more than 50,000 news articles published over 23 years. Using large language models and retrieval-augmented generation, they built what they describe as the first global, geospatial database of illegal kidney trafficking. The system identifies reported cases and assigns roles such as seller, buyer, broker and surgery location, while also tracing financial flows.

Their analysis reveals a stark global pattern. Kidney sellers most often come from lower-income or vulnerable countries including India, China, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. Buyers, by contrast, are concentrated in wealthier nations—notably Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany.

Illegal transplant surgeries most frequently occur in India, Pakistan, China, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Thailand, and Egypt, the researchers found. Brokers often operate in the same countries as sellers but also appear commonly in Western countries.

The network is fluid: �鶹��Ƶ half of the countries playing major roles shift each decade due to factors such as conflict, legal changes, enforcement intensity, and corruption. One pattern, however, has remained consistent: Over the past two decades, the United States has stayed among the top three illicit kidney buyer countries, accounting for more than 7% of documented cases.

Unlike some countries that rely on narrow supply channels, U.S.-linked cases connect to a wide range of supplier nations, including Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and India—a pattern the researchers say points to structural demand pressures within wealthy health systems.

Financial data extracted in the study underscore the imbalance in the illicit market. Buyers typically pay between $50,000 and $120,000 for a kidney, while sellers often receive less than 10% of that amount. Most profits flow to brokers and organizers.

The authors say the new database enables systematic cross-country analysis that was previously impossible because evidence was fragmented and often limited to small regional studies. Future research will examine how illegal kidney prices and trafficking patterns relate to income levels, inequality, legal frameworks, and health care access.

More broadly, the researchers argue their work demonstrates how artificial intelligence can expose hidden global systems by converting scattered media reports into structured data. They say the findings could help policymakers target enforcement, strengthen international cooperation and better protect vulnerable populations.

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Research

Illicit Trade

International Security and Law

Research

GCI-Health

From South Africa to student body president: Meet Schar School sophomore Jonathan Dubois

Andrew J Schappert — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:59:41 +0000

From South Africa to student body president: Meet Schar School sophomore Jonathan Dubois Andrew J Schappert Thu, 02/19/2026 - 11:59

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As a young boy born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and living in the country of South Africa, Jonathan Dubois was fascinated by the legal proceedings, high-stakes corporate law battles, and sharp dialogue of the American television show Suits.

Undergraduate Student Body President Jonathan Dubois: ‘The more I got involved, the more of an impact I realized I could make.‘ Photo by Zoë Oliver

Fast forward. Dubois, who immigrated to the United States when he was 18, is now a sophomore studying international security and law in the Schar School of Policy and Government at �鶹��Ƶ. As of late January, he also serves as the president of the undergraduate student body following a term as executive vice president.

Dubois says his interest in international law and advocacy stems from the first-hand realization of “how little influence or say countries have over their resources,” he said. “It all comes down to the policies that are made, whether that be multilateral or bilateral agreements. I want to be able to be that change in leveling the playing field.”

As the chief elected officer of George �鶹��Ƶ’s undergraduate student body, Dubois manages a cabinet of peer officials and advocates for nearly 30,000 students, serving as a voice to the school’s top leadership. He also participates in meetings with the governor-appointed Board of Visitors (albeit without a vote) and raises concerns about academics, campus life, and costs.

Dubois came to the United States specifically to pursue higher education. The Schar School’s three-year-old international security and law degree program, one of the first of its kind in the country to combine the academic subjects, caught his attention.

“And with George �鶹��Ƶ being so close to [Washington], D.C., there are plenty of networking opportunities,” he said.

During his first year at the school, Dubois expressed interest in joining the undergraduate student government. He spoke to upper class members of the organization who suggested he devote time to understanding how student government works and to get to know the student body.

As it happened, he discovered that becoming involved in campus government was another way of deepened his understanding of his academic major.

“The more I got involved, the more of an impact I realized I could make,” he said. “What initially made me run [for vice president] was how I saw all types of students being affected [by campus policies], whether you are the traditional student who stays on campus, the student who has a child, a commuter, or any other type of student.

“Every student has different needs, and I wanted to be able to help students to address those needs.”

As student government enters the final months of spring semester, Dubois plans to have student government have a “more integrated stake in the overall George �鶹��Ƶ community,” he said.

His aim, he said, is to broaden the access for students who are interested in participating in student government.

“The more students we get on board, the more students can be involved, he said. “And the more students who can give their input, the more we can get [implement] their initiatives, and we can get their voices heard.”

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student government

Schar School Student Spotlight

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

�鶹��Ƶ alumna leads legislative affairs in the Governor’s Office

Katarina Benson — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 20:43:40 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ alumna leads legislative affairs in the Governor’s Office Katarina Benson Mon, 02/16/2026 - 15:43

The latest session of the Virginia General Assembly is well underway, coinciding with the start of Governor Abigail Spanberger’s first year in office. A new administration brings new staff and cabinet members who will help lead the commonwealth. Among them is �鶹��Ƶ alumna Gerica Goodman, BA Psychology ’12, MPA ’15, who now serves as the governor’s director of legislative affairs

As director Goodman, along with her team, oversees the review and tracking of each measure introduced during the 60-day session, tracking it as it moves through committees and onto the floor for votes. She also works closely with cabinet members, legislators, and executive-branch agencies to advance the governor’s legislative agenda.

Goodman is one of Spanberger's cabinet members. Photo provided

“I’m in constant communication with the governor, legislators, and cabinet-level leaders,” Goodman said. “We have a ‘no surprises’ approach. If legislators have questions for the governor, or the governor has questions for them, my team and I serve as intermediaries in the legislative process.”

Goodman also collaborates with agency leads to ensure they are prepared to implement new programs or adjust existing ones once legislation is signed into law.

Goodman began her career as an admissions counselor and recruiter in �鶹��Ƶ’s Office of Admissions. She traveled across the country—primarily in the Southeast—meeting students at high schools and college fairs, introducing them to George �鶹��Ƶ, and helping others discover it for the first time.

Her interest in helping others was shaped early. “My father’s a pastor, my mom works in health care, and I have teachers, nurses, and all types of folks in my family who work to improve the lives of others,” she said. That background initially led her to study psychology with the goal of becoming a counselor.

Working in admissions after her undergraduate years opened a new path, with travel exposing her to stark differences in educational access. “I talked to people and saw how different each school was,” she said. “Students could be in the same city, but their ability to matriculate to �鶹��Ƶ was determined by socioeconomic factors. That made me interested in education policy.”

Those experiences inspired her to take public policy courses, ultimately leading her to pursue a master of public administration at the Schar School of Policy and Government. During graduate school, she transitioned to George �鶹��Ƶ’s Office of Alumni Relations, where she connected with fellow Patriots, supported alumni engagement, and helped plan events such as Homecoming and the annual Alumni Legislative Reception in Richmond.

After leaving George �鶹��Ƶ, Goodman moved to Richmond to work in higher education policy. Before joining the Spanberger administration, she served as legislative and policy director for the Speaker of the House in Virginia and later worked in the transportation sector.

Goodman encourages students to take advantage of George �鶹��Ƶ’s growing alumni network.

“As a relatively young institution, it’s easier for students to connect with alumni,” she said. “Alumni are at really exciting points in their careers, and we’re happy to talk with students and offer advice.”

She notes that university’s alumni body has expanded significantly in recent decades. “Over the past 10 to 20 years, the number of people graduating from �鶹��Ƶ has grown tremendously. The Alumni Relations team is a great resource to help students make those connections. We’re always excited to share our experiences and lessons learned.”

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Alumni

International Security and Law

General Assembly

Mike Pence Makes Schar School Debut as Professor of Practice

Andrew J Schappert — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:18:26 +0000

Mike Pence Makes Schar School Debut as Professor of Practice Andrew J Schappert Thu, 02/12/2026 - 08:18

Mike Pence shakes hands with Schar School senior Elijah Lawrence, who said, ‘It’s actually really refreshing to see a public leader be so adamant and energetic about teaching us—the American public—about our history.’

Mike Pence, 48th vice president of the United States, and former Counsel to the Vice President and Solicitor of Labor Greg Jacob greeted some 150 �鶹��Ƶ students for the first class of the spring semester by navigating the intricate and often-overlooked history behind the American Constitution.

Mike Pence, left, and co-instructor Greg Jacob during the debut class: ‘Their passion for the history of the Constitution was undeniable, actually palpable.’ Photos by Buzz McClain/Schar School of Policy and Government

The course, The Character of the American Constitution, invites undergraduate and master’s students at George �鶹��Ƶ’s Schar School of Policy and Government to explore the ideas that shaped our nation and their relevance to contemporary controversies regarding executive power, civil rights, elections, and the faithful execution of the law.

For many students, the experience of learning about constitutional governance cotaught by Distinguished Visiting Professor of Practice Pence and a career constitutional lawyer was a rare and compelling opportunity.

“I want to learn more about Pence’s perspective on the Constitution, how he believes we should run our government and criminal justice system,” said Logan Miller, a first-year international security and law and Honors College student at the Schar School. “I also want to know more about the history of the Constitution and the history of the United States in general.”

Miller was not disappointed. Throughout the first class, Pence and Jacob walked students through the origins of the Declaration of Independence, exploring what the Declaration meant and where the writers got the ideas. Pence provided insight from the perspective of a politician and vice president while Jacob offered the insight of a constitutional scholar.

“One of the big things I noticed when it comes to [Pence] teaching, is how passionate he is for the United States, our Constitution, our founding documents, and our founding ideologies,” said Elijah Lawrence, a senior also studying international security and law. “It’s actually really refreshing to see a public leader be so adamant and energetic about teaching us—the American public—about our history.”

Sophomore Max Castner, who is a government and international politics major, agreed.

“Their passion for the history of the Constitution was undeniable, actually palpable,” Castner said. “They detailed what the framers thought and why they wrote it the way they did. It is an intensive class. They really care about and love the Constitution.”

Pence joined the Schar School professor of practice faculty in August shortly after the appointment of former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell (R). Former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe (D) is also on the Schar School faculty.

For the Schar School, The Character of the American Constitution reflects its commitment to mixing academic analysis with real-world experience. By bringing together the vice president’s perspective and Jacob’s background as a seasoned lawyer, the course offers students a front-row seat to how the nation’s founding charter operates under pressure.

Pence and adjunct professor Jacob teach course numbers GOVT 319-005 and POGO 550-005.

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Mike Pence

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