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Tomorrow's Political Leaders on the move

Photo courtesy of IPPSR TPL students soak in media tips during the recent two-week Tomorrow’s Political Leaders session at MSU. Left to right: Steven Hernandez, Catharine Fontana, Christine Florick, Jeffrey Booker.

By Amy J. Baumer, Institute for Public Policy and Social Research

Nearly 30 college students from across the state traded in two weeks of their summer break to hone their political know-how at MSU.

You may have seen them debating at the state Capitol, or assisting with a Habitat for Humanity project in downtown Lansing, or perhaps you caught
a glimpse of them during their tour of inner-city Detroit. They are Tomorrow’s Political Leaders (TPL) and if you missed them this time, chances are good that you will have an opportunity to see them again.

A hands-on seminar on public service and politics, TPL seeks to bolster civic involvement among youth.

“Watching the students in action reminded us of why we work so hard
every year to pull this program together,” said Douglas Roberts, director of MSU’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR). IPPSR administers the program with the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

From the time the program began on May 15 and ended on May 27, more than
40 MSU faculty members, state legislators, lobbyists and campaign advisers came together to train the young politicos.

“TPL was an opportunity to network with current and future leaders in a way that I couldn’t have done on my own,” said Maralyn O’Brien, a recent graduate of Albion College and a co-recipient of the TPL Legislator of the Year award.

Participants learned how to run for office and what to do once they are elected. It culminated in a mock legislative session at the Capitol where students debated their own legislation, and approved bills to amend the Single Business Tax and allow medicinal use of marijuana.

“The 2005 TPL participants brought a wide range of ideology and experience,” said Brian McGrain, program manager. “I was energized by their commitment to public service and enthusiasm in the political process.”

The students’ political aspirations range from governor of Michigan to mayor of Detroit, and some simply want to become behind-the-scenes leaders in their local communities.

“From the media training to the volunteer experience, TPL was invaluable,” said Marissa Pierce, a recent graduate of the University of Michigan-Flint and TPL participant. “It will be helpful to me whether I am involved politically or not.”

Tomorrow’s Political Leaders is one of three leadership programs run by MSU’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, the nonpartisan public policy network at MSU. For more information about TPL and other IPPSR leadership programs, visit the Web at www.ippsr.msu.edu/leadership