Congress to Campus

Program Description

Congress to Campus provides college students with a unique civic education by engaging them in honest dialogue with bipartisan teams of former members of Congress, congressional staff, and American diplomats. Whether sessions take place in-person on campus, or in a virtual format, these dialogues bring today’s issues to the forefront and showcase the benefits of healthy partisanship and civility within disagreement.

Congress to Campus dialogues also provide students with unparalleled insight into careers in public service, including how to run for political office, managing work/life balance on Capitol Hill, and the thrill of debating legislation on the U.S. House or U.S. Senate floor. Program participants consistently say these sessions gave them a newfound appreciation for the dignity and excitement of public service.

Bring Congress to Campus to Your School

Requirements for a Congress to Campus Visit

A Host

Each on-campus or virtual visit needs a campus host organization. Hosts can be departments, offices, student organizations (or a combination of these). The host organization must provide a staff or faculty liaison.

An Idea

Before contacting FMC, talk with your host(s) about ideas for topics and the format for the visit. Do you want a team onsite, or would a virtual program work better? FMC's experienced staff can help you brainstorm, but the more ideas you have, the better!

A Timeframe

FMC needs at least three weeks to coordinate planning an on-campus visit. Virtual programs can be planned within about two weeks minimum. FMC's team is available during the academic year as well as summer sessions.

A Budget

The typical cost for hosting an in-person two-day campus visit or virtual program varies. There may also be sponsors interested in supporting a program at your school. Please get in touch with FMC staff to discuss options.

U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress

The U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC) created the Congress to Campus program in an effort to improve college students’ understanding of Congress and the American government and to encourage them to consider careers in public service. Since 1996, the Stennis Center for Public Service has partnered with FMC to assist in managing the program.

One Research Boulevard, Ste. 104,

Starkville, MS 39759

(662) 325-8409

201 Massachusetts Ave., NE, Ste. C-7,

Washington, D.C. 20002

(202) 546-1837