CAS Speaker Series to Help Students Understand Government

speaker series

Governors State University’s (GSU) College of Arts and Sciences is giving students a chance to hear from state and local government officials with the launch of the “State and Local Government in Practice speaker series.” 

The series kicks off this month in conjunction with Prof. Andy Schott’s POLS 2200: Local Government Systems class and will feature two guest speakers each month until December. The first visit from Fidel Arroyo Jr. from the U.S. Dept of Labor on Sept. 15 will cover how a federal bureaucracy partners with state and local governments. On Sept. 29, House Representative Will Davis will cover the Illinois General Assembly and the lawmaking process. 

Schott said the hope is for students to come away from the series “with a deeper understanding of how state and local government works.”

“And, we hope some will be inspired and pursue careers in state and local government whether by seeking elected office, working in a government agency, or becoming part of an advocacy organization,” Schott said. 

So far other speakers scheduled for the series include Mayor Vernard L. Alsberry Jr. of Hazel Crest and Gia Orr, Director of Community Relations, Resources and Legislative Affairs at the Illinois guardianship and Advocacy Commission. 

The series will be held on Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m in room B-2200. There will also be a virtual option for those who want to tune in remotely. The links will be available on GSU's Master event calendar. For more information reach out to Professor Andy Schott at aschott@govst.edu.