Event Overview
What: Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Program Public Service Weekend
Date: Friday, October 20-Sunday, October 22
Location: Mason Square Campus (Arlington, Virginia)
Time: 4 p.m. Friday - 1 p.m. Sunday
Who Is Invited: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in college
Cost: None! There is no cost to participate and accommodation in Arlington and all meals are provided.
Transportation/ transportation stipends are not provided, however, parking on site and accommodation will be provided for attendees.
Weekend Program
How do we convey good ideas from policy research to leaders and the public? Rising college sophomores, juniors, and seniors are invited to meet with D.C.-area policymakers, prominent journalists, Schar School faculty, and other students with the desire to hone their communications skills. Through panel presentations, hands-on practice, and feedback-driven masterclasses, participants will learn how to translate complex policy ideas to a lay audience. They will explore best practices with academic experts, learn about new trends from policy makers, and receive actionable guidance from prominent journalists.
Based on Professor Justin Gest's book, Mass Appeal: Communicating Policy Ideas in Multiple Media, the weekend will focus on (1) writing commentaries, (2) conducting broadcast interviews, and (3) briefing policymakers. In each module, there will be a short lecture that explains the principles and structure of each communication medium, followed by guided practice and constructive advice from experts.
Key Program Goals
- Train participants in how to communicate ideas in multiple media
- Explore how to use communication media to shape conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion policy.
- Introduce participants to careers in public policy and international affairs
Agenda
PROGRAM/SPEAKERS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Friday, October 20
5:00pm :: WELCOME + INTRODUCTION TO INCLUSIVE EDUCATION AT MASON
Mark Rozell
Dean, Schar School of Policy and Government
Kara Suckling
Graduate Admissions, Assistant Director of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions, Schar School of Policy and Government
5:30pm :: KEYNOTE ADDRESS: THE NEW MEDIA LANDSCAPE IN WASHINGTON
PANEL DETAILS TO COME
Moderator:
Anne Holton
Professor, George Mason University
Interim President, George Mason University (2019-2020)
Virginia Secretary of Education (2014-2016).
NETWORKING RECEPTION TO FOLLOW
Saturday, October 21
8:30am :: ARRIVALS + BREAKFAST
9:00am :: HOW TO REACH BROADER AUDIENCES
Justin Gest
Professor, Program Director, Master of Public Policy, George Mason University
9:30am :: THE DYNAMICS OF POLICY COMMUNICATION
Anne Hedgepeth
Chief of Policy and Advocacy, Childcare Aware of America
Moderator:
Justin Gest, Professor, Program Director, Master of Public Policy, George Mason University
10:30am :: BREAK WITH REFRESHMENTS
11:00am :: OP-EDS
Justin Gest, Professor, Program Director, Master of Public Policy, George Mason University
Faculty Consultant:
Bonnie Stabile
Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs
Schar School of Policy and Government
12:00 noon :: WRITING MASTERCLASS
Jonathan Capehart
Columnist, The Washington Post; Anchor, The Sunday Show, MSNBC
Alumni Moderator:
Aarzu Maknojia, MPP ’23
Director, Strategic Marketing Innovations
1:00pm :: MENTORSHIP LUNCH
CAPITOL HILL
Michael Fauntroy
Associate Professor, George Mason University
THE TWITTERSPHERE
Jennifer Victor
Associate Professor, George Mason University
MEET THE PRESS
Ellen Laipson
Professor, Program Director, MA in International Security, George Mason University
President, Stimson Center (2002-2015)
2:00pm :: BROADCAST INTERVIEWS
Justin Gest, Associate Professor, Program Director, Master of Public Policy, George Mason University
Faculty Consultant
Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera
Professor, George Mason University
3:00pm :: PUBLIC SPEAKING MASTERCLASS
Margaret Talev
Managing Editor, Axios News; Contributor, CNN
Alumna Consultant
Jatia Wrighten
Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University
EVENING SOCIAL/NETWORKING EVENT FOLLOWING END OF CURRICULAR PROGRAM
Sunday, October 22
8:30am :: ARRIVALS + BREAKFAST REFRESHMENTS
9:00am :: GRADUATE STUDY IN PUBLIC POLICY AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Korrin Harvey
Assistant Director of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions, Schar School of Policy and Government
10:00am :: POLICY BRIEFS
Justin Gest
Professor, Program Director, Master of Public Policy, George Mason University
Meghan Garrity
Assistant Professor of International Security and Law
11:00am :: PRESENTATION MASTERCLASS
Ellen Laipson
Professor, Program Director, MA in International Security, George Mason University
President, Stimson Center (2002-2015)
Alumnus Moderator:
Tim Nguyen
Deputy Program Manager, VPD Government Solutions
12:00pm :: CLOSING LUNCH WITH CURRENT SCHAR SCHOOL STUDENTS
1:00pm :: DEPARTURES
If you have questions, please email scharpsw@gmu.edu or call 703-993-8099.
