As part of its 125th Anniversary Celebration, Trinity Washington University will host a symposium on many of the pressing issues facing American democracy and how they impact the vote on Friday, October 25. Experts and students will explore topics including the importance of women organizing and engaging in political action, social justice as applied to immigration, religious nationalism, and the role of the media as it shapes our political discourse.
As politics consumes our daily conversations and the presidential election grows ever closer, Trinity Washington University’s symposium offers the opportunity to engage with speakers from many areas of expertise for conversations that will engage and enlighten attendees.
Join us for a day of rousing conversation and civilized debate!
Distinguished Speakers
Jennifer Rubin
Columnist, Washington Post
Jennifer Rubin writes reported opinion for The Washington Post. She covers politics and policy, foreign and domestic, and provides insight into the conservative movement, the Republican and Democratic parties, and threats to Western democracies. Rubin, an MSNBC contributor, came to The Post from Commentary magazine. Prior to her career in journalism, Rubin practiced labor law for two decades. She is the author of “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy from Donald Trump” and is host of the podcast Jen Rubin’s “Green Room.”
Chonya D. Johnson
Chief of Staff to Congressman Troy Carter (D-LA)
Ms. Johnson currently serves as Chief of Staff for Congressman Troy Carter of Louisiana. With nearly two decades of service in the United States Congress, Johnson has honed her expertise in navigating government practices and addressing the concerns of advocates, key constituencies, and businesses firsthand. Johnson’s commitment to serving everyday people and tackling tough issues has earned her recognition as a fighter and champion in the realm of advocacy.
Stephen Schneck
Chair, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
A political philosopher by training, Stephen Schneck retired from The Catholic University of America in 2018, after more than thirty years as a professor, department chair, and dean. A well-known advocate for Catholic social justice teachings in public life, Schneck currently serves on the governing boards of Catholic Climate Covenant, which advocates for environmental justice and care for creation, and of Catholic Mobilizing Network, a Catholic organization working to end the death penalty and advance restorative justice.
Mary J. Novak
Executive Director, NETWORK
Mary J. Novak serves as Executive Director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice. In April 2021, she became the sixth woman, and first lay leader, to guide the organization, which was founded by Catholic Sisters over 50 years ago. Prior to leading NETWORK, Mary served as Associate Director of Mission Integration and law professor at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C..
Ronnate Asirwatham
Government Relations Director, NETWORK
Ronnate Asirwatham is NETWORK’s lead lobbyist on immigration. Asirwatham came to NETWORK with 10 years of Federal legislative and administrative lobbying in Washington D.C., and has worked on many aspects of immigration policy and practice including asylum, refugees, unaccompanied children, and Dreamers. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Houston and she has two graduate degrees, one from the Fletcher School at Tufts University, and her Master’s in Law in International Human Rights Law from the University of Essex, in the U.K.
Colin Martinez Longmore
Grassroots Outreach and Education Coordinator, NETWORK
Colin Martinez Longmore is a Southern California native who graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a B.A. in Communication Studies and minor in Religious Studies. Prior to joining NETWORK, Martinez Longmore worked for seven years as a youth minister at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, working with youth from diverse communities, leading retreats, and giving presentations for Diocesan youth events. He also mentored groups in juvenile hall and youth vocational work programs.
Schedule
9:00
Greetings by President McGuire
9:30
Student Voices: What Does This Election Mean to You?
Moderated by Dr. Joshua Wright, Associate Professor of Global Affairs; the symposium will open with a “lightening round” of voices of Trinity students talking about their views of the candidates and issues at stake in the 2024 election.
Students:
Laura Camila Perez
Lakshmi Mosquera-Herrera
Kayla Strong
(More students welcome with all points of view!)
10:00
Jennifer Rubin, Columnist, Washington Post: Women and the Election
Rubin’s columns and 2021 book Resistance highlight the importance of women organizing and engaging in political action.
Moderated by Dr. Jamal Watson, Associate Dean and Director of the Strategic Communications and Public Relations Program
11:15
Catholic Social Justice and the Key Election Issues
Mary Novak, Executive Director of NETWORK (sponsors of “Nuns on the Bus”) and her colleagues Ronnate Asirwatham and Colin Martinez Longmore will speak on the social justice issues at stake in this election, with a particular emphasis on immigration issues and the situation at the border.
Moderated by Dr. Stephen Thorne, Distinguished Professor of Education
12:30
Luncheon and Keynote: International Religious Nationalism and Political Impact
Dr. Stephen Schneck, Chair
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
Moderator: Dr. Steven Gable, Associate Professor of Philosophy
1:45
The View From Capitol Hill: How Students Can Remain Positive and Get
Involved in a Tough Election Season
Chonya D. Johnson, Chief of Staff to Congressman Troy Carter (D-LA)
Moderator: Dr. Allen Pietrobon, Assistant Professor of Global Affairs
2:30
Youth Vote: View from Student Activists in Washington, DC
Moderator: Dr. Kimberly Monroe, Assistant Professor of Global Affairs
Discussion Leader: Karla Nunez Perez ’24 Trinity
Cinthya C. Calderon-Hernandez, Trinity Washington University
Jovanna Walker, George Washington University
Latrese Johnson, Howard University
Kessley Janvier, Georgetown University
3:30
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Intergenerational dialogues among students and alumnae on key issues in the 2024 presidential election
Group 1: Trinity Reads Shirley Chisolm: Unbought and Unbossed
Moderator: Trisha Smith, University Librarian
Group 2: Can We All Get Along Here? Respecting Political Differences
Group 3: Role of Media in Shaping Electoral Perspectives
4:30
Wrap-up and on to the reception!!