Political Science Learning Community students had the opportunity to talk with former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland this week.
Ted Strickland
Strickland is engaging with students in a number of Political Science and other courses this semester as part of his efforts with Ohio University’s Wealth & Poverty theme.
This week, he spoke with first-year Political Science majors in UC 1900 Learning Community seminars taught by Drs. Sarah Poggione and Nukhet Sandal. The governor discussed how he developed an interest in politics and how his experiences growing up as one of nine children in Lucasville, Ohio, and his experiences working as a counselor and psychologist with children and later with inmates at the Southern Ohio Correctional facility, shaped how he thought about politics.
Student in these courses were able to engage directly with Strickland and ask about his earlier service as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for the 6th district of Ohio, his 2016 campaign for the U.S. Senate, as well as his thoughts on the 2016 presidential election.
The governor’s presence on campus is part of the Political Science Department’s commitment to engaging students in and outside of the classroom by focusing on the connections between the political science and the practice of politics and public affairs.
Poggione notes, “We are so fortunate to have the chance for our students to speak with public affairs professionals, including committed alumni and now Gov. Strickland. These interactions not only show students a range of careers in public affairs but also help demonstrate the complexity of political decisions.”
“The governor’s visit was a breath of fresh air. He was very engaging and made an effort to interact with our students on an individual basis,” added Sandal. “Our students had a chance to ask questions about specific policies and the governor’s experience in different phases of his life in politics.”
Advanced political science students also have the opportunity to benefit from the governor’s successful political career and policy expertise. Strickland will be talking with students in Dr. DeLysa Burnier’s course on American Politics, policy, and administration, Dr. Michael Burton’s courses on campaigns and elections and political leadership, and Dr. Barry Tadlock’s course on the legislative process.
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