LAKELAND, Fla. — Southeastern University in Lakeland is embarking on new territory by opening its new American Center for Political Leadership.
- Congressman Dennis Ross to political center at Southeastern University
- Goal is to engage students in political discourse
- Congressman Dennis Ross
The goal is to inspire students to get off the sidelines and engage in government in a civil manner.
Congressman Dennis Ross will run the center, which is set to officially open in January, when Ross finishes his term. He'll also be teaching political science courses.
"It is an absolute blessing for me whose had experience over 20 years in elected office to be able to come to Southeastern University and engage these students, challenge these students and through the American Center for Political Leadership, we’re going to have these students leave this program with national recognition of being prepared to be leaders in the county, state and federal government.
The University’s President Kent Ingle said students inspired him to create the center. It’s a part of the revamping of the university’s political science major.
“Story after story when I have a chance to be with them they talk about how they have been frustrated, disconnected, discouraged and quite frankly even disgusted in the political process and how civic leaders are relating to each other,” said Southeastern University President Kent Ingle.
Political science majors like Alexis Soldo said she’s excited about the center and Congressman Ross, 59, teaching on campus.
“It is very polarized right now and everyone can see that so I think getting involved and actually learning about the different points of view on either sides can help you be more aware of what’s actually going on and you can make your own opinion about that,” said Alexis Soldo.
The center will focus on policy recommendation in three key areas: protecting individual freedoms, cultivating civic engagement, and advancing political civility.
“We can’t accept a behavior that is contrary to fundamental beliefs of how people should interact. Respect and civility are foundational and necessary to the system of government. The only way to change that is to demand it of our elected official whether it be the President on down. But to turn and say we’ll just allow that to happen and hopefully we’ll do ok is the wrong way,” said Congressman Dennis Ross.
The center will also offer courses, one-day workshops, books and documentaries on these topics. Ross plans to also take students to Tallahassee and Washington D.C. to introduce students to elected officials and individuals who run state and federal agencies.