Continuing Education Press Releases

U of U Offers Pre-Election Insider Tour of Washington, D.C.

The Hinckley Institute of Politics Takes Utah Citizens Behind the Scenes Sept. 30 - Oct. 5

June 27, 2012 – Knowledge is power, especially in a presidential election year — but wading through the political rhetoric to make educated decisions can be a challenging task for even the most engaged citizens.

For six days this fall, the University of Utah will lead a select group of Utah voters on behind-the-scenes tour of Washington, D.C. Led by the U of U's Hinckley Institute of Politics in conjunction with Go Learn at the University of Utah, this tour will offer an unprecedented opportunity for everyday citizens to get in-depth insight into current issues while meeting face-to-face with top policy makers and political journalists on Capitol Hill.

"The 'straight story' in politics can be pretty elusive, especially during an important election year," said Lindsay Zizumbo, program manager for Washington D.C., state and local internships at the Hinckley Institute of Politics. "This tour offers a chance for people to sit down with lawmakers in Washington, ask questions, and ultimately make the best decisions they can about the issues that matter most to them."

Held from Sept. 30 - Oct. 5, 2012 during the last week Congress is in session before the election, this unique tour titled Inside the District will pair lectures by political experts from the Hinckley Institute with an inside look into our nation's government in preparation for the 2012 election. Leveraging the Hinckley Institute's years of relationship-building in DC, this tour will include rare personal meetings with Utah congressmen, members of the Supreme Court, presidential political advisors and Salt Lake Tribune political writers based in D.C.

Two lectures - Money, Politics, and the U.S. Presidency by Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics, and A Current History of Congress by Lindsay Zizumbo - will get travelers ready to arrive in Washington with informed and relevant questions to ask. Jowers and Zizumbo will also accompany the tour to Washington for daily insight and discussion throughout the week.

Jowers, a graduate of Harvard Law School, serves as an associate professor of politics at the University of Utah, acting chairman of the Governor's Commission on Strengthening Utah's Democracy, and a member of the Utah Constitutional Revision Commission.

Zizumbo has worked extensively for Congressman Matheson, serving as the district outreach coordinator, campaign manager, and field director; was the field director for Utahns for Public Education during the school voucher referendum campaign and a legislative organizer for the Utah Democratic Party.

"We're giving the average citizen the chance to combine objective insight with one-on-one meetings with some of the major players in this election both locally and nationally," said Christoph Dressler, director of Go Learn at the University of Utah. "They'll get to ask informed questions in light of the upcoming election, and ultimately form their own impressions about the issues our country faces."

Inside the District will run from Sept. 30 – Oct. 5, 2012, with pre-departure lectures and meetings throughout September. Registration is open to anyone 18 and over, but is limited to 14 participants. To reserve a spot or for more information, call 801-581-6980 or visit golearn.utah.edu.

About the Hinckley Institute of Politics

The Hinckley Institute of Politics' mission is to promote political and civic involvement and to engage university students in the political process. The Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah is a bipartisan institute dedicated to engaging students in governmental, civic and political processes; promote a better understanding and appreciation of politics; and train ethical and visionary students for service in the American political system. Robert H. Hinckley founded the Hinckley Institute of Politics in 1965 with the vision to "teach students respect for practical politics and the principle of citizen involvement in government." Since its founding, the Hinckley Institute has provided a wide range of programs for students, public school teachers and the general public.

About Go Learn at the University of Utah

Go Learn journeys are created with University of Utah educational leaders passionate about sharing their expertise in the field. Go Learn leverages the expertise of U of U faculty to provide rich, informed travel to unforgettable and culturally-significant spots around the world. Pairing pre-departure classes with faculty-led trips across the globe, Go Learn provides a unique, in-depth travel experience that bridges cultures, develops talents and expands the horizons of the Salt Lake community.

Continuing Education at the U enriches the lives of people of all ages in the greater community and beyond by providing extraordinary learning opportunities from the university. The division encompasses nine programs: Academic Non-Credit, Lifelong Learning, Exam/Test Preparation, Professional Education, Technology Education, Youth Education, Distance Education, the Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning and the English Language Institute. Founded in 1911, Continuing Education offers credit and non-credit courses that serve over 30,000 students annually from around the world. Information about each of Continuing Ed's programs can be found at www.continue.utah.edu.