Finding Purpose Through Public Affairs: Inside the John Glenn Learning Community
Cultivating Essentials of Democracy
Learn more about how the John Glenn Civic Leadership Community helps students with public service and civic engagement interests aspire to make a difference in the world.
Unlike traditional lecture-based courses, Public Affairs 2160 emphasizes exposure to real professionals and career journeys.
“This course has been really helpful because it shows just how many different paths students can take with a public affairs major,” said Sese, who wants to pursue an MPA through the Glenn College combined degree program and a career in government affairs, lobbying or campaign politics. “We’ve had speakers who’ve gone into law or international affairs, community affairs and a lot of other areas.”
Professor Ange-Marie Hancock, left, academic executive director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, moderates a panel for students in the John Glenn Civic Leadership Community.
According to students in the LLC, one of the most impactful experiences this semester was a panel hosted by the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, where students engaged with researchers, professionals and fellow students.
For Sese, the panel reshaped how he views public service.
“What stood out to me the most from the Kirwan Institute panel was just how much they emphasized research as a way to create policy and create real impact,” he said. “Their work is not just research for the sake of research, but it helps inform decisions.”
Panelists discussed issues including housing, maternal health, poverty, youth employment and community development, emphasizing nonpartisan, evidence-based work.
"The panel definitely changed how I think about research and public service,” Sese said. “I usually think of public service through things like community involvement and leadership, but the panel really helped me see that research can be just as important.”
Undergraduate Research at the Glenn College
Undergraduate students can participate in research in a variety of ways — such as through a research skills class, an independent research thesis or by assisting faculty with their research. Learn more about the opportunities.
Rubin emphasized that experiences like this broaden students’ understanding of the field.
“Students often associate public affairs with government or nonprofits,” she said. “The Kirwan Institute shows them that research is another powerful pathway — one that still directly impacts communities and policy.”
Instead of just talking about these ideas, we get to hear from people who are doing the work every day.
The John Glenn Civic Leadership Community attended a Columbus City Council meeting on a class field trip.
Beyond the classroom, the LLC provides a close-knit community of students who share a passion for service and leadership.
“I always tell prospective students that joining the LLC was one of the best decisions I made,” Sese said. “Our shared interests brought us together, and doing the same Glenn College and campus programming has made these connections a lot stronger.”
“I like to describe the LLC sort of as a family group chat mixed with LinkedIn,” he said.
Sese emphasized that the sense of connection from the LLC enhances both learning and personal growth.
“Everyone brings different perspectives,” Sese said. “There’s so many ways to approach the same issue, but in the end, it all connects back to the same shared passion for service, action and change.”