Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship

  • Attendees take a group selfie at MAPIS2024
  • 2025 gubernatorial candidate Steve Sweeney speaks Sept. 2023
  • Hafiza Kazi '20 speaking with RIPPAC students
  • Rep. Mikie Sherrill speaks with students
  • Alexis Bailey at MAPIS2024's networking lunch
  • Faculty and student debaters for the 2024 Eagle-Turkey Debate
  • 2025 gubernatorial candidate Jon Bramnick holds a RIPPAC T-shirt
  • Dr. Dworkin and students at RIPPAC table Homecoming 2023
  • Dr. Ben Dworkin speaking with Sen. Anthony Bucco
  • RIPPAC student taking selfie with 2025 gubernatorial candidate Ras Baraka
  • Attendees play "Human Bingo" at MAPIS2024

Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship

About the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship

The Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship (RIPPAC) is dedicated to informing, engaging, and training Rowan students, faculty, and the public in politics, policy, and citizen engagement.  To accomplish this, the Institute hosts programs and guest speakers; supports students through academic and career development, internships and scholarships; and connects faculty and students from across the University with public entities to facilitate public policy research and discussion.

For more information and to support RIPPAC’s efforts and student intern scholarships, contact Dr. Ben Dworkin at dworkin@rowan.edu or 856-256-5832. 

Have questions about RIPPAC? Contact Liz Dircks at RIPPAC@rowan.edu or 856-256-4500 ext. 5-3567.

The New Jersey gubernatorial primary is June 10, 2025. Who RU voting for? 

Head to go.rowan.edu/2025njgovplaylist for remarks and Q&A from ALL NINE major gubernatorial candidates we've hosted for in-person events in recent years! 

GOP candidate for governor Bill Spadea addresses university crowd

Michael Bautista, Staff Writer
April 9, 2025

Sean Spiller at RIPPAC's February Speaker Series event

Republican candidate for governor Bill Spadea spoke to a crowd on April 7 as he pitched a reform agenda that centered on school choice, cutting government spending, and reining in housing mandates. 

The event was hosted by the Rowan Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship (RIPPAC) and had 40 members in attendance.

Throughout the hour-long speech, Spadea hit on multiple key issues he said are driving his campaign for New Jersey Governor.

“There’s a ruling elite in both parties that wants to keep the status quo,” said Spadea. “It’s not about left versus right. It’s about an insider versus outsider.”

Spadea addressed the current state of education within the state, where he argued that suburban schools are being unfairly punished under New Jersey’s current funding formula, which prioritizes urban districts. 

Read the rest of the article at The Whit Online! 

Photos from The RIPPAC Gala (March 14, 2025 at the Westin Mt. Laurel)

Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz at the Gala podium Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio at the Gala podium Inspira Health's Robin Walton at the Gala podiumAtlantic Shores' Joris Veldhoven at the Gala podium NJBIA's Michele Siekerka at the Gala podium NJ American Water's Mark McDonough at the Gala podiumSen. Troy Singleton speaking with President Houshmand at the RIPPAC Gala Sen. Mike Testa and Asm. Lou Greenwald at the RIPPAC Gala RIPPAC Director Ben Dworkin and Asm. Bill Moen at the RIPPAC Gala

For more photos, check out our 2025 RIPPAC Gala photo album! 

RIPPAC Trenton Trip - January 16, 2025

On January 16, RIPPAC brought 17 students for a visit to the New Jersey State House in Trenton to learn about the important work of state government. They went on a tour of the building, listened in on a committee hearing, and chatted with Assembly members and other government professionals! 

RIPPAC students on the second floor of the New Jersey State House beneath the gold dome   RIPPAC students listen to Sam Aloi '18 talk about his experiences working for the Assembly Majority Office   RIPPAC students take a group photo with Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter

RIPPAC Student Holiday Message of Hope 2024

For RIPPAC's 2024 holiday message of hope, our students performed an inspiring reading of the Gettysburg Address. We wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season!

So, That Happened: Understanding the 2024 Elections with Steve Kornacki

Flawed assumptions, surprising trends: At Rowan, political analyst Steve Kornacki breaks down the 2024 presidential election

December 6, 2024
Steve Kornacki at the podium during RIPPAC's December Speaker Series event 

The results of the 2024 presidential election exposed flawed assumptions and surprising trends, according to MSNBC and NBC national political correspondent Steve Kornacki.

Kornacki broke down voting pattern data before an audience of more than 200 Rowan University students, faculty, alumni, and community members during “So, That Happened: Understanding the 2024 Elections,” a free public event on Dec. 5 presented by the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship (RIPPAC).

Using exit poll data, Kornacki shared how the gender gap and shifts in political leanings by race, ethnicity, age, and income affected the 2024 presential election, in which Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump defeated his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Read the rest of the article at Rowan Today!