Institute of Public Service
The Hartwick College Institute of Public Service is dedicated to strengthening democracy across the region by serving as a hub of collaboration and innovation between state and local government, and through civic engagement and legal studies.
Next Generation of Public Servants
A nonprofit, nonpartisan, regional political community, the institute seeks to educate the next generation of public servants and inspire legal professionals and government officials to meaningfully engage in our democracy through three supporting areas: Local and State Government, Civic Engagement, and Legal Education.
High School Essay/Video Competition
The Hartwick Institute of Public Service is proud to invite any high school student in Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Otsego and Schoharie Counties to submit a short essay or video suggesting creative ways to better engage young people in democracy.
Learn More2023 Constitution Day Talk
New York State Assembly Member Jen Lunsford '04 joined us to celebrate Constitution Day and the creation of the Hartwick Institute of Public Service. She will present "We The People" Includes You.
Young people, as a whole, don’t vote. It’s a stereotype that is proven true in the data. In 2022, roughly 23% of eligible young people voted in the November election, nationwide. That included a fresh crop of over 8 million new voters who had turned 18 since the last even-year election. In the last election, control of the House of Representatives was decided by just over 3 million votes. Young people have the power. They just aren’t using it.
In this talk, Lunsford discussed how young people can swing elections and make the kind of monumental, historic changes in policy we need to build a country that can survive the century.
Tuesday, September 19
4 p.m.
Anderson Theatre, Anderson Center for the Arts
Recording of 2023 Constitution Day Talk
Jen Lunsford ’04 is the New York State Assemblymember for the 135th Assembly District, which serves the eastern portion of Monroe County (near Rochester). Originally from Long Island, she earned a dual degree in philosophy and political science magna cum laude from Hartwick College. While at Hartwick, she won the annual Mehri Political Science Best Senior Thesis Award, presented to a student who best demonstrates understanding of a critical issue facing society, for her submission addressing First Amendment issues. After graduation, Assemblymember Lunsford earned a J.D. from Boston University Law School, and practiced law in Monroe County for 11 years before pursuing public office. She was elected to the Assembly in 2020, and was reelected in 2022. In 2022, CNN published a story about her involvement in a Rochester tradition of commemorating the struggle for women’s suffrage by visiting the gravesite of Susan B. Anthony.
While at Hartwick, she was nominated by the political science department for the prestigious John Christopher Hartwick Scholarship. She helped found the College’s chapter of Phi Sigma Tau, the International Honor Society in Philosophy, and served as vice president of Judicial Affairs for Student Senate. Assemblymember Lunsford has remained active with the College since graduation. She has mentored students by hosting a Career HOP in Albany, NY, and served as a guest speaker for Dr. Laurel Elder’s “Parties and Elections” class.
LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT
Career Networking and Mentoring
The institute offers a range of local public service based internships and career opportunities. It also hosts events that encourage public servants in all branches of government to connect and engage with young people.
Problem Solving
Through projects embedded into course material. Hartwick students are able to work directly with local elected officials to formulate potential solutions and policy recommendations.
Continuing Education and Professional Training
Offering meaningful professional training opportunities for local elected officials, the institute offers continuing education courses on a variety of topics such as financial management, municipal leadership, and the legal framework of towns and villages.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Creative Civic Engagement Programs
The institute sponsors civic engagement programs to ensure that students and community members are informed about local, state, and national political issues. Events are designed to increase participation in elections and to promote debate on important issues using civil discourse.
Debates and Visits by Elected Officials
A catalyst for candidate forums, debates, and visits by elected officials, the institute hosts debates for public offices and offers students and local elected officials opportunities to engage and learn from one another. All candidate forums are bipartisan and all candidates and viewpoints are welcome.
Voter Registration and Turnout Activities
To increase turnout and registration, the institute conducts voter drives on campus and in the community. Programs and resources are developed to increase participation and to ensure that all voters are informed about issues on the ballot. The institute also partners with the Otsego County Board of Elections to provide poll worker training for students.
High School Outreach
Working closely with civics, history and government K-12 teachers and guidance counselors, the institute creates initiatives and activities to promote civic engagement and dialogue.
Speaker Events
The institute hosts high profile speaker events, including Hartwick’s annual Constitution Day and Leslie G. Rude Memorial lectures. The speaker series is open to all community members, including local high school students.
