War Crimes Research Office, American University Washington College of Law ’s Post

My phone blew up today with news of Junior State of America (JSA) winding down after 90 years. For a '90s high school student, JSA was formative (I was a Mayor, a Lt. Governor, and went to Georgetown & Montezuma). What made JSA special? 1️⃣ 👫 💡 Diversity of people & ideas. NJ high school was ... beige, racially and intellectually. At JSA, kids (and their parents) came from all over the place, with ideas which were all over the place. The most diverse environment I experienced until - a decade later - HBS. 2️⃣ 🛩 Travel. 🏛 DC, 🗽 NYC, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco. Without parents, and cell phones! Opened up new worlds for me. 3️⃣ 🗣 Speaking and Conflict. Once upon a time I didn't like public speaking (I know, hard to believe). JSA's approach to debate taught not just public speaking & opposing ideas in public, but also building friendships & leaving public conflict behind when the debate was done. Unique in today's world. 4️⃣ 📜 Paperwork. Hear me out. JSA had a lot of paperwork -- Resolutions. Agendas. Membership rolls, all with minimal computers. Effectively navigating bureaucracy is perhaps the defining skill of adulting. Without even realizing it, I learned to do that in JSA. 5️⃣ 🤗 Friends & 🤝 Leaders. JSA alums of that era became lawyers, business leaders, political leaders, social justice activists, and even rabbis. Several married each other. People like Israel "Izzy" Klein, Cindy Chen, Rachel Derkits-Gelman, and Abby Gordon still influence how I think about friendship, politics, and even parenting today. JSA's moment may have passed. No doubt other groups will fill these roles for the post-COVID high school generation. But it will be missed.

The work at IPH is life-changing. See attached TU article on "Second Chances take Centerstage at Program for Unhoused, At-Risk".

All of us at LocatED do this stuff because we know it really makes a difference and Paul is no exception. Thanks again to Mills & Reeve for the brilliant hosting! Please share with your connections: the turn-out for the RICS #GoverningCouncil elections is usually quite low but if you are a member, this is your chance to have your say, so don't forget #useyourvote #GoPaul #VotePaul #RICSGC #diversityinproperty #earlycareersnetworking #youcantbewhatyoucantsee

I want to reshare this post I made earlier this month as the KJS Legacy Project works to raise $5,000 by the end of September to continue funding scholarships to students at Trumbull, CT and at American University. Please consider given to keep Kevin's legacy alive: On this 4th of July, we observed another sad milestone. It’s hard to believe, but it has been nine years since Kevin’s tragic passing. For his family and friends, the pain of our loss is still deeply felt. We miss his kind and caring nature and that big grin of his. He had prepared himself to do great things - to have a positive impact on the world. Kevin’s career was just starting. He had such a bright future ahead of him - so much that he wanted to accomplish. And because his life was interrupted, those of us he left behind have dedicated ourselves to carrying on his legacy - working to accomplish some of the things he never got to do. And that is what the KJS Legacy Project (KJSLP) is all about. To date, the KJSLP has helped to fund five scholarships in the AU School of Public Affairs, four internships on Capitol Hill, and two high school scholarships. This year, we seek to expand Kevin’s legacy with the goal of making our impact even greater through increased endowments at AU and by funding an endowment for the Trumbull High School Scholarship. Toward that end, we are launching the Summer 2024 KJSLP Outreach. During the months of July, August and September, we have set a goal of raising $5,000 to support our various programs. In talking with our scholarship recipients, it is clear that we are making a real impact on their career trajectory. Kevin’s life-story is a powerful example that these students relate to and use as a guide as they make decisions along the way in their life’s journey. With your continued support, we will continue to expand that impact and encourage more students to follow in Kevin’s footsteps seeking to create that more perfect Union our founders sought to create! Click here to make a donation or continue below to see what our recipients are saying. https://lnkd.in/ezY585h8

This is truly heartbreaking news, given that American democracy is in dire need of organizations like the Junior State of America (JSA). JSA not only gave me a transformative sense of purpose and community but also taught me about true statesmanship and the pillars of a healthy democracy— that is, civil and free discourse, civic engagement and representation that is inclusive of all swaths of society, and civic education for future generations of leaders, both in the US and abroad. From attending the 2012 Moctezuma Leadership Summit and the summer programs at Stanford (2011), Princeton (2012), Davis (2012), and Georgetown (2013) to serving as NorCal JSA's Expansion Director and Chapter President of American Indian Public High School's JSA chapter (among other roles), I was heavily involved in JSA. And, naturally, JSA had a significant impact on the trajectory of my own life. It was at a JSA year-round conference that I learned about the existence of my alma mater, Claremont McKenna College, and was encouraged to apply. It was through JSA that I developed my passion for public service and intercultural exchange, leading me to intern for Congresswoman Barbara Lee and become a Top 2 Finalist for Oakland's Public Ethics Commission last December. And, just as important, it was at these countless JSA programs and conferences that I gained cherished memories and forged invaluable friendships (some of whom I still stay in touch with today). It is my hope that the JSA Governors' efforts to reinvent the organization succeed. As the U.S.A. marches forward in the face of polarization, I pray that this vacuum in youth civic education is filled by the leadership and example of those of us who benefitted immensely from programs like JSA. #JSA #bethepeople #statesmenship #democracy #youth #civicengagement #juniorstateofamerica

Thanks for sharing this mini big teaching Karen!

Well done, giving back is so important

❗LAST CHANCE: Apply for SIA's new Paul Ahern Scholarship! 💸Now is your chance to apply for financial support to grow your understanding of effective #OSDP implementation. Don't wait; applications are due Sept. 30! 🔗Learn more & apply at the link in the comments! #securityindustry

My latest article explores the evolving landscape of Credit for Prior Learning policies and their potential to transform higher education for adult learners. From policy priorities to real-world impact: Discover how states are revolutionizing higher education. Thank you CAEL for bringing this to a larger audience.