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In the Senate chambers: CSU students learn first-hand from lawmakers in Columbus

“CSU’s mission and vision statement is to encourage excellence, diversity and engaged learning—professor Mead’s Columbus Seminar checks all the boxes,” Mary Grace Tokmenko, a student in Cleveland State University’s Columbus Seminar course, says.

The Columbus Seminar is a class that has been offered at CSU for more than 35 years. Each spring break, the course brings students to the Ohio state capital of Columbus, allowing them to learn first-hand from government officials. 

The four-credit, immersive class is geared toward students who want to learn more about state government and policy making from the people who are practicing it as their career.

“It’s great seeing current senators interact with what could potentially become future senators,” Joseph Mead says of his class’ latest learning opportunity with state lawmakers.

This year, Professor Mead traveled to the state capital with 16 students whose majors varied from law to public administration to nonprofit management and more.

The group rented rooms in the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Columbus from March 10 to 15, and interacted with a wide range of individuals from different branches and all levels of government.

“By the end of the week students are exhausted but inspired,” Mead says.

The class had the opportunity to speak with Randy Gardner and Michael Duffey, Ohio’s chancellor and vice chancellor of higher education, respectively. During the meeting, the students were able to express what they felt needs to be addressed in higher education, such as the need for student access to food pantries.

Other individuals the Columbus Seminar class had the chance to interact with included Ohio Supreme Court Justice and CSU alumna Melody Stewart; Secretary of State Frank LaRose; Dan McCarthy, the legislative director for Governor Mike Dewine; State Senators Nickie Antonio and Kirk Schuring; Cleveland State University President Harlan Sands; and more. 

The students also had valuable sessions exploring the workings of the Legislative Service Commission, the Ohio Office of Budget and Management, and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, among others.

The class also sat in on a Senate floor session, during which the controversial Ohio “heartbeat bill” was being debated. Students also heard from two political advocates on the subject.

Throughout the week, the students spent time constructing, and ultimately voting, on their own bill. During a committee meeting, each student was assigned a role, such as acting as a senator or an advocate. The class was then given access to the Ohio Senate floor at the end of the week, where they debated, amended, and ultimately voted on their proposed bill, while following proper Senate procedures.

“This class is designed to help launch our bright students into careers shaping policy and serving the greater good,” Mead says. “It is simply a joy to watch these future leaders get excited about the opportunities that lay in front of them.”

“The Columbus Seminar is a glimpse behind the curtain, revealing how the wheels of state government turn,” Tokmenko says. “It will be the most unique—and probably most cherished—memory from your time at CSU.”