The McCourtney Institute for Democracy

08/26/2026

Join the USC Center for the Political Future on Wednesday, August 26 from 11:30AM to 1PM for a discussion entitled: What Would the Founders Say About America 250? A Conversation with Dr. Jane Kamensky of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. Learn what America’s Founders might make of the nation at its 250th anniversary.

On July 4, 2026, the United States marked 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The milestone arrived amid sharp political divisions over the country’s past, present, and future. Drawing on her scholarship and her work at Monticello, Dr. Kamensky will explore what the Founders’ own debates about the unfinished project of American democracy can tell us about this moment - and the questions Americans still seek to answer as the country looks toward its next 250 years.

Panelists include:
- Bob Shrum (Remarks): Director, USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future; Carmen H. and Louis Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics; Author of "Concessions of a Serial Campaigner"
- Jane Kamensky: President and CEO, Thomas Jefferson Foundation; Trumbull Professor of American History Emerita, Harvard University
- Bill Deverell (Moderator): Divisional Dean for the Social Sciences, USC Dornsife; Professor of History, Spatial Sciences and Environmental Studies; Founding Director, Huntington-USC Institute on California and the West

Run of Show:
- 11:30AM - 12:00PM ... Lunch
- 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM … Moderated Discussion
- 12:45 PM - 1:00 PM … Audience Questions

IN-PERSON REGISTRATION: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/whawhat-would-the-founders-say-about-america-250-with-dr-jane-kamensky-tickets-1998284976156?aff=oddtdtcreator

LIVESTREAM REGISTRATION: https://usc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MC6Eo6mqTqiZ9HGUtFZRjA

08/26/2026

Save this post to join us at this semester's speakers and events:

📆 September 10: Screening of the documentary "9/11: Reclaiming Ground Zero" about the democratic deliberation in New York City to decide the future of the World Trade Center site. Panel with professors John Gastil, Ekaterina Haskins, and Brad Vivian to follow.

📆 October 7: Rachel Shelden of the will present a lecture on her forthcoming book, "The Political Supreme Court: A Forgotten History."

📆 October 8: The team from will accept the 2026 Brown Democracy Medal and discuss journalism, trust, and the future of an informed democracy.

📆 October 28: Mitchell Smith of will present a lecture on his new book, "The Great Perceptual Divide: Identity and Democracy in the U.S. and Britain."

All events are free and open to the public. We hope to see you this fall!

08/13/2026

Registration is now open for the annual Constitution Day Centre event on Saturday, October 3 from 10:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Delta High School in State College. Join a group of Centre County residents to deliberate the following questions:

1. Is basic health care a right?
2. What are 2nd Amendment rights for 21st century?
3. Are there privacy rights in digital world?

Lunch will provided. Register here to attend: https://www.jotform.com/form/261944795802064

Join our Roundtable groups for civic conversations on key topics! Invite neighbors and friends! Saturday, October. 3, from 10 am to 2:30 pm at Delta High School, State College. Free admission/parking/lunch. Register at: www.constitutiondaycentre.org

07/28/2026

Nevins Fellow Niko Butczynski is wrapping up his internship at the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation under the mentorship of Executive Director Keiva Hummel. Here's how he summed up the experience:

"I had an absolute blast this summer, and I really enjoyed getting the chance to live in a different part of the country for a few months. It was an experience that helped me grow both professionally and personally. One of the biggest reasons this experience was so enjoyable was my supervisor, Keiva. She was incredibly supportive and made the fellowship both productive and fun. Many of our meetings were full of laughter, and it often felt like I was catching up with a friend while still learning and getting meaningful work done."

07/27/2026

Our Nevins Fellows are wrapping up their summer internships this week! Here's a cool story from Eric Best, who is interning at the National Civic League this summer:

I found this mug at my local Goodwill. It’s a National Municipal League commemorative for Lewistown, PA, for coming together to rebuild the community after Hurricane Agnes in 1973. Lewistown was given an All-America City award for this.

I have roots in this area; my parents both worked at the local hospital and we lived here until 2001. Hurricane Agnes was prior to the League changing its name to the National Civic League, but one might take it as a sign of aligning stars.

07/06/2026

Our work would not be possible without Ted and Tracy's support. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

Join us in congratulating Ted H. McCourtney, a 2026 Penn State Honorary Alumnus!

He is a general partner at Saw Mill Partners and former managing general partner at Venrock, and alongside his wife, Tracy, supports Penn State through the McCourtney Institute for Democracy and transformative philanthropy benefiting students, faculty, and programs across the liberal arts.

06/30/2026

As we approach America's 250th birthday, revisit our podcast conversation with Jeremy David Engels, Liberal Arts Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences and author of "On Mindful Democracy," to consider how mindfulness can create a stronger democracy for our next 250 years. Engels describes how we can — and should — consider a "declaration of interdependence" in addition to the Declaration of Independence the country is celebrating this year.

Listen to the episode: https://www.democracyworkspodcast.com/episodes/jeremy-david-engels

Department of Communication Arts and Sciences at Penn State Penn State College of the Liberal Arts WPSU Parallax Press

06/25/2026

250 years ago, the Declaration of Independence established life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as core rights for all Americans. How well is our government doing on securing those rights? Respondents in our most recent Mood of the Nation Poll gave a grade of C+.

The grade is consistent across political and economic divides. Jobs, education, and healthcare were cited as things that ensure people can pursue satisfying and happy lives.

Read the full poll report as you get ready to celebrate America 250: https://democracy.psu.edu/poll-report-archive/protecting-life-liberty-and-happiness-americans-give-their-government-a-c/

06/16/2026

Congratulations, Michele! We're thrilled to have you among our grant recipients.

CAS and CAMS associate professor Michele Kennerly has received a Research in Democracy grant from Penn State's McCourtney Institute of Democracy for her project entitled, "Lucy and Nina After Haymarket." The grant supports Kennerly's early-stage work on the public lives and afterlives of Lucy Gonzalez Parsons and Nina Van Zandt Spies after the ex*****on of their husbands, two of the so-called Haymarket martyrs. To consider what those two women faced as they negotiated their intimate proximity to one of the most (in)famous labor events in the history of the United States is to wrestle with how a capitalist democracy handles those it injures to protect itself.

05/28/2026

Please join us in congratulating Jenna Spinelle on being named a 2026-27 Visiting Fellow at SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University!

11-member cohort will bring fresh perspectives to the institute while exploring big questions about democracy, citizenship, and community