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Harrisburg Semester

Harrisburg Semester Seminar (PUBPL) 490

Classroom experience

From a welcoming reception in the Capitol Rotunda to a power lunch with government officials and lobbyists, the Harrisburg Semester Seminar blends academics with a hands-on approach to learning about policy making in our state capital. The course includes a series of guest speakers--legislators, top executive officials, lobbyists, issue advocates, and experts in their fields—as well as traditional class readings and discussion.

All students enrolled in the Harrisburg Semester program are required to register for PUBPL490. The class meets on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at a downtown location convenient to most students’ internship sites. The class is taught by Michael Cassidy, who currently serves as the Executive Director of the Human Services Committee (D) in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Cassidy is a former legislator whose background includes over 34 years of experience in speech writing, issue research, media relations, campaign management, and legislative strategy. A graduate of Penn State-University Park with a B.A. in Political Science and Penn State Harrisburg with a M.A. in American Studies, he also is adjunct faculty at Temple University and is a longtime board member of the Pennsylvania Political Science Association.

Course Information

Summer 2011

Guest speakers

  1. David H. Brogan, Esq. Office of Chief Counsel, Democratic Caucus
  2. Raymond Whittaker, Coordinator, PA House Bipartisan Management Committee Legislative Fellowship Program
  3. Dean Ghoweri, Research Analyst, PA House Natural Resources and Energy Committee (D)
  4. Eric Fillman Esq. Legal Counsel to the House Ethics Committee; past-president of the Finnegan Foundation (government fellowship program)
  5. Bradley R. Jones, Vice President for Community Development, Harristown Development Corporation, Harrisburg PA 
  6. Matthew J. Brouillette, CEO & staff  of the Commonwealth Foundation for Policy Alternatives
  7. State Senator David Argall, PhD. (R- Schuylkill & Berks);  fmr Chair, House Appropriation Committee 
  8. State Representative Brendan Boyle, (D-Phila)
  9. State Representative Jerry Stern (R-Blair) Chair, House Tourism and Recreation Committee 
  10. State Representative Dennis O’Brien  (R-Phila) former Speaker of the House; Chair House Children & Youth Committee
  11. Timothy Schaeffer, PhD. Director, Bureau of Policy, Planning and Communications, PA Fish and Boat Commission-- an expert on Marcellus Shale impact. 
  12. Michael DiRaimo, Director of Government Affairs, Penn State University  (Penn State’s lobbyist)
  13. Nicole Stetler Hendrickson, Associate with Delta Development Group - econ dev & gov’t affairs consultants; fmr Legislative Manager in Governor’s Office of Legislative Affairs
  14. Ron Boston, Senior Associate, (Lobbyist) Triad Strategies; Fmr Director of Legislative Affairs,  PA Depart of Community and Economic Development
  15. Erica Jeanette, Associate, Triad Strategies; and former PSU intern
  16. Deborah Beck, President, Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania (DASPOP) Harrisburg—a nationally known expert on drug and alcohol policy 
  17. Craig Lehman, Lancaster County Commissioner; fmr Senior Budget Analyst House Appropriation Committee
  18. Roy Wells, Founder & President, Triad Strategies Inc—one of Harrisburg largest and most innovative government affairs and communications firms; fmr Deputy State Treasurer 
  19. and others

Program Information