In my role as National Field Director for The Concord Coalition, I’ve had the privilege of traveling to all 50 states and visiting countless college campuses across the country to facilitate our signature federal budget exercise, Principles and Priorities. From large state universities to small liberal arts colleges, I’ve worked with students of all backgrounds who share a desire to better understand how our nation’s budget works—and the tough choices involved in setting fiscal priorities.
This past week, I had the opportunity to return to Washington, D.C., to work with students from American University’s School of Public Affairs, as well as students from across the country participating in AU’s Washington Semester Program. I led three separate Principles and Priorities exercises, each offering students the chance to step into the shoes of lawmakers and grapple with the difficult decisions involved in balancing the federal budget.
For many students, this is their first exposure to the complexities of fiscal policy—and the experience is both eye-opening and energizing. In their roles as members of Congress, students debated national defense spending, considered reforms to major entitlement programs, and examined the trade-offs between revenue increases and spending cuts. The discussions were thoughtful, spirited, and grounded in a shared sense of civic responsibility.
These sessions were made possible thanks to invitations from Professors Jeffrey Crouch and Tom Kahn, whose commitment to experiential learning and public policy education made a real difference in the success of the week.
American University has long been a leader in preparing students for public service, and this week’s engagement reaffirmed that commitment. The students I worked with demonstrated a deep curiosity about the budget process and an admirable willingness to wrestle with tough policy questions. It was a powerful reminder that today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders—and they are more than ready to take on the challenge.
I’m grateful to the faculty and administrators who make these sessions possible, and I look forward to continuing our work to promote informed, responsible fiscal policy on campuses around the country. Next up: I’ll be at the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business on April 24 and 25 with up to 1,000 students for another round of Principles and Priorities and speeches to classes! Stay tuned!
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