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Yager Hall, Hartwick College valley view from Oyaron Hill

Institute of Public Service

The Hartwick College Institute of Public Service is dedicated to strengthening democracy across the region by serving as a hub of collaboration and innovation between state and local government, and through civic engagement and legal studies.

Next Generation of Public Servants

A nonprofit, nonpartisan, regional political community, the institute seeks to educate the next generation of public servants and inspire legal professionals and government officials to meaningfully engage in our democracy through three supporting areas: Local and State Government, Civic Engagement, and Legal Education.

Hartwick College Trustee Larry Miller '73 announced a quarter million dollar matching gift to the Institute of Public Service. He believes gifts to the Institute leave a lasting legacy of a stronger democracy and a more resilient country. As a result, when you support our work your gift will be doubled.

Capital Region Reception and Fundraiser

The event is hosted by regional alumni and features the Co-Directors of the Institute of Public Service: Professors Laurel Elder, Matt Chick, and Zachary McKenney and special guests.

Thursday, February 27, 2025
6-8 p.m.

West Main Lounge, Fort Orange Club, 110 Washington Ave, Albany

Reception with Hors d'oeuvres and Cash Bar

$50/person or $25/person for Hartwick graduates from 2015 to 2024

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December 2023
May 2024
September 2024
Anthony Delgado speaking with students at Hartwick College

"Elevating the importance of engaging in our democratic process is key to supporting our communities and grounding ourselves in our shared humanity. The Hartwick Institute of Public Service does essential work empowering our young people to stay informed and understand the role we each play in our government."

Antonio Delgado

Lieutenant Governor of New York

Stories About Our Work

Hartwick College Celebrates Community Leadership at Student Voices, Student Choices Awards

Teams from Cooperstown, Laurens, Morris, Oneonta, Schenevus and Worcester received awards.
Read More >

Pollster Zogby Is “Hopeful” About Hartwick Students Voting

Preeminent pollster John Zogby has a good feeling about Generation Z.
Read More >

Local News for Free!

This partnership supports the Hartwick Institute of Public Service’s mission to engage students in local politics and government.
Read More >

Hartwick Institute of Public Service Raises Close to $100K in First Fundraising Drive

Funds will be used to continue offering public service internships, voter registration and education programming.
Read More >

Hartwick Institute of Public Service Leadership Council Members Announced

The Institute of Public Leadership Council will draw on their areas of expertise to strengthen and bring greater visibility to the institute’s 2024-25 programming.
Read More >

Trailblazing Hartwick Student Becomes First on City Commission

Sarah Matumbura '26 appointed to the Commission on Community Relations and Human Rights.
Read More >

Voting Inspiration Creative Competition

The Hartwick Institute of Public Service and Hartwick's Chapter of the National Political Science Honor Society sponsored a Voting Inspiration Creative Competition. The goal was to get students to create something that would inspire their peers to get engaged in the 2024 election and our democracy.
We received dozens of submissions from students in a wide range of majors which included poems, artwork, photographs, posters, essays, and campus signs.

View Art Work Submissions

Past Events

Hartwick College Institute of Public Service Constitution Day Lecturer John Zogby speaking in Anderson Theatre

Constitution Day Talk 2024

The 2024 Election: What Are the Polls Really Saying?

Preeminent pollster John Zogby discussed his latest book, Beyond the Horse Race: How to Read the Polls and Why We Should and its implications for the 2024 elections.

View Lecture Recording
US Representative Marc Molinaro speaking with Hartwick College students about public service

Public Service Work

US Representative NY-District #19 Marc Molinaro visited in February 2024 to talk with students and answer their questions about public service work.

Mike McIntire speaking in Anderson Theater, Hartwick College

Leslie G. Rude Memorial Lecture

Mike McIntire ’85, P’13, P’21, three-time Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist for The New York Times gave the 2024 Leslie Rude Public Service talk, “Investigative Journalism and Democracy”.

Learn More
The Hartwick Institute of Public Service High School Essay & Video Competition panel discussion lead by Institute co-director Zachary McKenney

High School Essay Competition

The Institute hosted a high school essay competition and award ceremony, featuring a keynote address by Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado.

Learn More
Hartwick College Institute of Public Service Constitution Day Talk delivered by Jen Lunsford '04, New York State Assemblymember for the 135th Assembly District

Constitution Day Talk 2023

NYS Assemblymember Jen Lusford ’04 returned to campus to provide our 2023 Constitution Day talk, “Young People and Democracy”.

View Lecture Recording

LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT

Hartwick students on the floor of the NY State Assembly, Albany , NY

Career Networking and Mentoring

The institute offers a range of local public service based internships and career opportunities. It also hosts events that encourage public servants in all branches of government to connect and engage with young people.

Hartwick College students with Professor of Political Science Laurel Elder

Problem Solving

Through projects embedded into course material. Hartwick students are able to work directly with local elected officials to formulate potential solutions and policy recommendations.

James Seward, Former NY State Senator and Hartwick College alumnus

Continuing Education and Professional Training

Offering meaningful professional training opportunities for local elected officials, the institute offers continuing education courses on a variety of topics such as financial management, municipal leadership, and the legal framework of towns and villages.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Hartwick College student asking question during forum discussion

Creative Civic Engagement Programs

The institute sponsors civic engagement programs to ensure that students and community members are informed about local, state, and national political issues. Events are designed to increase participation in elections and to promote debate on important issues using civil discourse.

Anthony Delgado speaking with students at Hartwick College

Debates and Visits by Elected Officials

A catalyst for candidate forums, debates, and visits by elected officials, the institute hosts debates for public offices and offers students and local elected officials opportunities to engage and learn from one another. All candidate forums are bipartisan and all candidates and viewpoints are welcome.

Hartwick College students on the Hartwick campus on election day celebrating casting their vote.

Voter Registration and Turnout Activities

To increase turnout and registration, the institute conducts voter drives on campus and in the community. Programs and resources are developed to increase participation and to ensure that all voters are informed about issues on the ballot. The institute also partners with the Otsego County Board of Elections to provide poll worker training for students.

Hartwick student asking a question during a lecture on campus

High School Outreach

Working closely with civics, history and government K-12 teachers and guidance counselors, the institute creates initiatives and activities to promote civic engagement and dialogue.

Hartwick political science professor Laurel Elder speaking with David Axelrod during community forum

Speaker Events

The institute hosts high profile speaker events, including Hartwick’s annual Constitution Day and Leslie G. Rude Memorial lectures. The speaker series is open to all community members, including local high school students.

Hartwick Institute of Public Service Leadership Council

Matt Chase ’93, CEO/Executive Director of the National Association of Counties

Geoffrey Corn ’83, Killam Chair of Criminal Law and Director of the Center for Military Law and Policy, Texas Tech University School of Law, professor of law and U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel (Retired)

Carlo A.C. de Oliveira ’02, Member of the law firm Cooper Erving & Savage LLP in Albany, NY

Jennifer Givner ’99, Chief Media and Government Relations Officer at the New York State Thruway Authority

Randy L. McCullough ’86, Hartwick College Trustee, Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, the New York State Funeral Directors Association

Mike McIntire ’85, Pulitzer Prize Winning Investigative Journalist at The New York Times

Larry Miller ’73, Hartwick College Trustee, former CEO of Northern Composites, New Hampshire Budget Committee member and Select Board member

Matipa Mutoti ’20, Masters of Public Policy at American University, Legal Analyst.

James Seward ’73, H’99, Former New York State Senator; Inaugural Member-deceased

Joanne Dittes Yepsen ’80, former two term mayor of Saratoga Springs and Co-Founder of Public Affairs Firm Yepsen & Pikulski

HARTWICK College INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL members in Albany

“Being a part of Hartwick’s Institute of Public Service has been an amazing experience. I’ve met and worked with so many wonderful people and wouldn’t trade my time here for the world!”

Michael Christian '24

Institute of Public Service Intern
Political Science & Business Administration Double Major, Computer Science Minor

"I am excited at the prospect of Hartwick’s Institute of Public Service becoming a propelling mechanism to Oneonta’s best and most inclusive governance; one that is informed and made more vital by the engagement of our student community."

Mark Drnek

City of Oneonta Mayor

"Hartwick College’s Institute for Public Service is inspiring and preparing the next generation of public servants at a time of great need and opportunity. Hartwick’s Institute is also providing an essential forum for state and local innovation, collaboration and relationship building."

Matt Chase '93, CEO/Executive Director

National Association of Counties

"By being elected to 17 terms in the State Senate, I know firsthand how important civic engagement is to a strong democracy. The Institute is strengthening our democracy by promoting civic and political involvement and the civil discussion and debate of the important issues of our times."

James L. Seward '73, H"99

New York State Senator

Our Co-Directors

Laurel Elder

Professor of Political Science and Department Chair
[email protected]
607-431-4887

Matthew Chick

Assistant Professor of Political Science & Pre-Law Program Coordinator
[email protected]
607-431-4611

Zachary McKenney

Assistant Professor of Sociology
[email protected]
607-431-4894

Hartwick College Institute of Public Service

Hartwick College
Departments of
Political Science, Law, and International Relations & Sociology, Criminology, and Human Services
Let us know how the Institute can partner with you to strengthen our democracy.
[email protected]