Hinckley Institute of Politics

The Hinckley Institute of Politics is a bipartisan institute at the University of Utah dedicated to engaging students in practical politics and in governmental, civic and political processes. It aims to promote a better understanding and appreciation of politics. It provides educational programs for students, public school teachers and the general public.

History

The Hinckley Institute was founded by Robert H. Hinckley in 1965 as a way to engage students in government and “encourage the youngest and best minds to enter into politics.”

The Hinckley Institute aims to offer students an opportunity to engage in politics on all levels of government through political forums, through internships on the local, national and international level and through scholarships. Courses in Political Science and Campaign Management are offered, and opportunities to tour DC and meet top government officials during "Capital Encounter"

Hinckley Institute of Politics Political Forums

The Hinckley Institute facilitates political forums during the academic school year that offer students the opportunity to hear from leading experts from their community, around the country and around the world, on topics ranging from local and municipal government and elections; issues pertaining to resource management, environmental sustainment; and housing, employment and education policies; to national and international issues such as human rights, health care, constitutional law, the rights of women and minorities; the effects of the media, international relations and policies pertaining to the Middle East, Europe, South America and Asia; and the effects that U.S. national policy has on international events, terrorism and the economy. [http://www.hinckley.utah.edu/events/index.html]

The Hinckley Institute has hosted such honored and renowned guests as the Honorable Lee Hamilton, Vice Chair of the 9/11 Commission, co-chair of the Iraq Study Group and President and Founder of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; Congressman Rob Bishop (R-UT); Congressman Chris Cannon (R-UT); Thomas E Mann, congressional scholar and senior fellow of the Brookings Institute; Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana; Senator Orin Hatch (R-UT); Senator Robert Bennett (R-UT); Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt; Congressman Jim Matheson (D-UT); Senator and Presidential Nominee John McCain (R-AZ); Former Presidential Candidate Ralph Nader; Former Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid; United States National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft; and actor and political activist Robert Redford. [Hinckley Institute of Politics 2007 Newsletter]

Hinckley Institute Internships

Local

The Hinckley Institute has provided University of Utah students local internship opportunities with the Utah State Legislature and governmental organizations since 1966. The Hinckley Institute currently sends approximately 90 students every year to work for local campaigns, non-profits, local government offices and state legislators. Hinckley Interns have served as campaign managers, scheduling coordinators, and volunteer supervisors for races in Utah and have worked in local offices for US Senators and Congressmen, the Mayor’s office, Lt. Governor’s office, Attorney General’s office and the Chamber of Commerce. They have also served in a number of non-profit organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Planned Parenthood and the Disability Law Center. Through internship experiences, Hinckley Interns gain experience, participate in the political process and learn how local politics affects citizens’ lives. [http://www.hinckley.utah.edu/internships/local/index.html]

Washington DC

The Hinckley Institute of Politics has sent interns back to Washington DC since 1973. Approximately 90 students are sent back to DC each year to work for members of the Utah Delegation on Capital Hill, the US Supreme Court, and various think tanks in DC that affect US national policy. Several offices that have hosted Hinckley Interns include: The Department of Health and Human Services, the Democratic National Committee, the Republican National Committee, the House Committee on International Relations, and the White House. Students in DC shadow legislators, congressmen and senators as well as learn the ins and outs of lobbying, media coverage, and communication within U.S National Government while sharpening their skills and interests in relation to government and learning the importance of civic engagement. [http://www.hinckley.utah.edu/internships/washington/index.html]

International

The international internship program is the newest internship program the Hinckley Institute has to offer, piloted in 2001. The Hinckley currently sends about 80 students abroad to a variety of countries including India, Australia, Peru, Ethiopia, China and Scotland and has become an extremely successful part of the University of Utah’s “Internationalization Initiative” [http://www.gateway.utah.edu/pdf/ProgressReport.pdf] Internships range from working with the Scottish or Australian parliament to doing humanitarian work in South America and Africa, to teaching women in children in India about AIDS prevention. International interns experience the world though a different cultural lens while serving those in need on a global scale and return to the United States with an increasing awareness of global issues. [http://www.hinckley.utah.edu/internships/international/index.html]

cholarships

The Hinckley Institute offers several scholarships to University of Utah students who have exhibited outstanding academic performance, civic engagement and service to their local community. [http://www.hinckley.utah.edu/scholarships/index.html]

Courses

As part of the Hinckley Institute’s mission to engage students in practical politics, the Hinckley Institute offers several courses on campaign finance, the U.S. Presidency and money’s influence in government. Students may also receive credit for attending political forums and increasing their awareness of current events, local, national and international.

Capital Encounter

University of Utah students are provided with the unique opportunity of visiting Washington D.C. with one of the University of Utah’s esteemed Political Science professors. Students experience DC and the politics that surround it by visiting monuments and memorials; meeting with members of the Utah Delegation, U.S Supreme Court Justices, top government officials; and visiting the headquarters of the CIA. In a week, students are schooled in the functions and inter-workings of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of government, as well as given the opportunity to meet with members of the President’s cabinet and discuss current events with top government officials. [http://www.hinckley.utah.edu/internships/capital/index.html]

External links

* [http://www.hinckley.utah.edu/about/index.html Official website]