A group of University of Mississippi students have a clearer understanding of the U.S. electoral process after completing a unique course in the nation’s capital.
Nine students in the university’s Trent Lott Leadership Institute recently spent a week in Washington, D.C., examining many facets of presidential elections, including the parties’ nominating processes, elections rules, campaign strategies, polling, campaign finance, advertising and media coverage.
The weeklong opportunity was made possible through UM’s Study USA program. Students in Joel Clark’s “Elections 2012: An Insider’s View” course met with Capitol Hill professionals including John Mayasato of Crossroads Campaign Solutions, Carl Biersack of Balch and Bingham, Nicole Tisdale of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Doug Clopp of Common Cause, Steve Selby of Squier Knapp Dunn and Fred Anklam of USA Today. Both Tisdale and Anklam are UM alums and Biersack served as legislative director for former U.S. Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.).
“Our students are definitely tuned in to the issues and candidates, especially those at the presidential and congressional levels,” said Clark, UM visiting assistant professor of political science. “Being in D.C. during the Iowa caucuses added an extra level of excitement.”
As part of their coursework, students chose a topic to research and develop in D.C., and complete when they return to campus. Topics of choice include whether the caucuses and primaries provide the best way to nominate major presidential candidates, the influence of the two major parties in structuring election rules, the role of media in providing essential candidate information to voters, and the tactics of campaign professionals to shape the image and message of candidates and campaigns.
Students expressed differing opinions about what part of the course was most insightful for them.
“The most meaningful part about the trip were our sessions with Dr. Clark because we each discussed how we felt about our meetings and shared our political goals in the future,” said Kelly Parks, a junior political science major from Cypress, Texas.
Lott Leadership Institute students (from left) Victoria Mitchell, Gus Maples, Vaughn Simmons, Morgan Brown, Kelly Parks, Katherine Baird, Andrew Anderson, Brittany Jernigan and Meredith Cook pose outside the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., during their weeklong visit to observe the American election processes as part of a Study USA Wintersession course.
“The meeting with Doug Clopp (deputy director of Common Cause) was very interesting,” said Gus Maples, a sophomore public policy major from Lucedale. “Mr. Clopp explained to our class different ways that his organization is working for campaign finance reform, which was actually the topic of my final paper in the class. I also found our meeting with Balch & Bingham lobbyist Carl Biersack to be an informative eye-opener for that profession.”
Other students in the class were Andrew Anderson of Gallatin, Tenn.; Katherine Baird of Annapolis, Md.; Morgan Jo Brown of Madison; Meredith Cooke of Anchorage, Alaska; Brittany Jernigan of Columbia, Tenn.; Victoria Mitchell of Brandon; and Vaughn Simmons of Columbia.
Several participants are already planning to return to D.C. for summer internships arranged through Ole Miss.
“Overall, I really enjoyed this class,” Maples said. “As I sit and think about the week and the many things I have learned, it makes me realize that I want to work on a campaign when I get out of school.”
Study USA programs are short-term domestic travel classes typically offered during intersession terms. Students submit an application to the Study USA office. Once approved, they are enrolled in the program of their choice. Other Wintersession Study USA classes were offered in Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Miami and Mound Bayou. Upcoming May Intersession Study USA courses are offered in Ashville, N.C., and Memphis. Enrollment is limited.
For more information about specific programs or the application process, contact Laura Antonow, program director for Study USA, call 662-915-6511. For more information about the Lott Leadership Institute, go to http://www.lottinst.olemiss.edu/.