Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship

Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship

About the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship

The Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship (RIPPAC) is dedicated to informing, engaging, and training Rowan students, faculty, and the public in politics, policy, and citizen engagement.  To accomplish this, the Institute hosts programs and guest speakers; supports students through academic and career development, internships and scholarships; and connects faculty and students from across the University with public entities to facilitate public policy research and discussion.

For more information and to support RIPPAC’s efforts and student intern scholarships, contact Dr. Ben Dworkin at dworkin@rowan.edu or 856-256-5832. 

Have questions about RIPPAC? Contact Liz Dircks at RIPPAC@rowan.edu or 856-256-4500 ext. 5-3567.

A resume writing workshop flyer for March 27

 

Resume Writing Workshop

Thursday, March 27, 2025

6:30 p.m. - Chamberlain Student Center Room 127

RSVP on ProfLink or email RIPPAC@rowan.edu!

Flyer for RIPPAC's Eagle/Turkey Mock Debate on April 1, 2025
 

RIPPAC's Annual April Fools' Debate - The Eagle vs. The Turkey: Which is More American?

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

6:00 p.m. light reception | 7:00 p.m. debate

Eynon Ballroom - Chamberlain Student Center

RSVP at go.rowan.edu/EagleTurkey2025!

Flyer for RIPPAC's An Evening with Bill Spadea

An Evening with Bill Spadea: "A Vision for New Jersey"

Monday, April 7, 2025

7:00 p.m. | Chamberlain Student Center Room 221

RSVP at go.rowan.edu/Spadea!

Spring 2025 Events

March

  • Resume Writing Workshop - STUDENTS ONLY
    • Thursday, March 27, 2025 | 6:30 p.m. | Chamberlain Student Center Room 127

April 

  • Annual Eagle vs. Turkey April Fools' Day Debate - open to the public
    • Tuesday, April 1 | 6:00 p.m. light reception, 7:00 p.m. debate | Eynon Ballroom, Chamberlain Student Center
  • An Evening with Bill Spadea, Republican candidate for governor - open to the public
    • Monday, April 7 | 7:00 p.m. | Chamberlain Student Center Room 221
  • Pizza & Networking Lunch with Brian Alpert, Executive Director, NJ Senate Republican Office - STUDENTS ONLY
    • Friday, April 11 | 2:00 p.m. | Chamberlain Student Center Room 129
  • How to Make the Most of Your Internship Info Session - STUDENTS ONLY
    • Tuesday, April 15, 2025 | 6:30 p.m. | Chamberlain Student Center Room 127

Photos from The RIPPAC Gala (March 14, 2025 at the Westin Mt. Laurel)

Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz at the Gala podium Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio at the Gala podium Inspira Health's Robin Walton at the Gala podiumAtlantic Shores' Joris Veldhoven at the Gala podium NJBIA's Michele Siekerka at the Gala podium NJ American Water's Mark McDonough at the Gala podiumSen. Troy Singleton speaking with President Houshmand at the RIPPAC Gala Sen. Mike Testa and Asm. Lou Greenwald at the RIPPAC Gala RIPPAC Director Ben Dworkin and Asm. Bill Moen at the RIPPAC Gala

For more photos, check out our 2025 RIPPAC Gala photo album! 

NJEA president turned politican Sean Spiller speaks at Rowan

Christopher Otto, Staff Writer | Image: Gavin Schweiger, Photography Editor
February 12, 2025

Sean Spiller at RIPPAC's February Speaker Series event

Rowan Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship (RIPPAC) hosted Sean M. Spiller, the current New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) president who is also running for Governor in this year’s election on Feb. 10.

During the talk, Spiller highlighted his goals of making New Jersey a more affordable place to live, as New Jersey’s cost of living is currently higher than the national average. This places New Jersey among the most expensive states to live in.

Spiller’s goal to make the Garden State more affordable was an idea he prioritized during his time as the Mayor of Montclair from 2021 to 2024, during which he aided in compromising on a new rent control law for the town.

Read the rest of the article at The Whit Online! 

RIPPAC Trenton Trip - January 16, 2025

On January 16, RIPPAC brought 17 students for a visit to the New Jersey State House in Trenton to learn about the important work of state government. They went on a tour of the building, listened in on a committee hearing, and chatted with Assembly members and other government professionals! 

RIPPAC students on the second floor of the New Jersey State House beneath the gold dome   RIPPAC students listen to Sam Aloi '18 talk about his experiences working for the Assembly Majority Office   RIPPAC students take a group photo with Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter

RIPPAC Student Holiday Message of Hope 2024

For RIPPAC's 2024 holiday message of hope, our students performed an inspiring reading of the Gettysburg Address. We wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season!

So, That Happened: Understanding the 2024 Elections with Steve Kornacki

Flawed assumptions, surprising trends: At Rowan, political analyst Steve Kornacki breaks down the 2024 presidential election

December 6, 2024
Steve Kornacki at the podium during RIPPAC's December Speaker Series event 

The results of the 2024 presidential election exposed flawed assumptions and surprising trends, according to MSNBC and NBC national political correspondent Steve Kornacki.

Kornacki broke down voting pattern data before an audience of more than 200 Rowan University students, faculty, alumni, and community members during “So, That Happened: Understanding the 2024 Elections,” a free public event on Dec. 5 presented by the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship (RIPPAC).

Using exit poll data, Kornacki shared how the gender gap and shifts in political leanings by race, ethnicity, age, and income affected the 2024 presential election, in which Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump defeated his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Read the rest of the article at Rowan Today!