FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 2017

Media Contact: Mary Cappabianca
Institute of Politics, (617) 384-5923

Student Conference at Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics
Will Focus on Programs to Reconnect America

Cambridge, MA – A decorated U.S. Army veteran who spearheads an organization promoting nation-wide national service is coordinating a student conference aimed at creating programs to Reconnect America.

Joe Kearns Goodwin will work with students from 28 colleges and universities nationwide in planning The Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics’ (IOP) 2017 National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement.  The conference will focus on identifying the root causes of national divisiveness following the 2016 presidential election and work to formulate strategies to bridge gaps between all Americans. Student ambassadors will convene on the Harvard campus February 3-5.

Goodwin, a veteran of duty tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and recipient of the Bronze Star, is a graduate of Harvard and Harvard Law School.  He also serves as the executive director of National Service Now, a non-profit committed to encouraging and expanding national public service opportunities.

 “We believe the National Campaign is a unique medium for a diverse group of students who represent the many different facets of the Millennial generation to come together to gain valuable perspective and formulate actionable plans to reconnect a divided America,” said Goodwin, Director of the 2017 National Campaign Conference. 

Since 2003, the national alliance has held annual conferences to identify collaborative projects, foster engagement in electoral politics, assist students in pursuing careers in public service, and provide a foundation in civic education. Led by a team of Harvard undergraduate students and IOP staff, the collegiate ambassadors to the National Campaign work together to achieve concrete goals, such as working with local election offices to improve the voting experience for their campus communities.

A list of National Campaign conference participating academic institutions includes Allegheny College, Arizona State University, Colby College, Elon University, Franklin & Marshall College, Georgetown University, Howard University, Louisiana State University, The Ohio State University, Rutgers University, Saint Anselm College, Simpson College, Tennessee State University, Tufts University, United States Military Academy, University of Chicago, University of Florida, University of Kansas, University of Louisville, University of Rochester, University of Southern California, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, University of Texas, University of Utah, University of Virginia, and Vanderbilt University.

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Our mission at Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics (IOP) is to create the future of politics and public service every day, inspiring undergraduates to lead lives of purpose by committing themselves to the practice of politics and governing, and to public service and the countless opportunities to serve at home and around the world.  The IOP was established in 1966 as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy. More information is available online at http://www.iop.harvard.edu.