photo by: Shawn Valverde

The Dole Institute is pictured during the 2025 Easter Egg Roll with Dole on Saturday, April, 19, 2025.

A closer look at how local government succeeds or fails will be part of the fall programming offered at the Dole Institute of Politics on the University of Kansas’ West Campus.

Joni Wickham — a former chief of staff for Kansas City, Mo. Mayor Sly James — will serve as the Dole Institute Fellow this fall. Wickham will host at least five special events at the Dole Institute focusing on local government issues. Among the events that have been scheduled are:

• A presentation by former KC mayor Sly James entitled “Transformational Leadership: Exhausting and Exhilarating.” 4 p.m., Sept. 10.

• Wendy Doyle, the CEO of the women’s empowerment think tank United WE, will discuss “Turning Research, Policy Solutions and Civic Engagement into Results for Kansas Women.” 4 p.m. Sept. 24.

Beyond the local government series, the Dole Institute will host several other events this fall. They include:

• A moderated discussion on “Church and State.” James Grimaldi, the Pulitzer Prize-winning editor of the National Catholic Reporter, and Ashley McGuire, senior fellow as The Catholic Association will join Jerry Seib, the former executive Washington editor for The Wall Street Journal. 7 p.m. Sept. 4.

• A program on “Affordable Housing in America” will feature experts on the topic, including the director of housing and infrastructure for the Bipartisan Policy Center and a former senior staff member at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 10 a.m. Oct. 21.

• The institute’s annual celebration of U.S. veterans again will occur this fall. The “Tribute to Veterans Gala” will feature live music by the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra and programming fro KU’s ROTC programs. 5 p.m. Nov. 9. The event is free to attend, but reservations are required to be made with the Dole Institute.

• A mock trial-like event that tackles the question of whether the Electoral College should be abolished will feature attorneys Ed Duckers and Pedro Irigonegaray arguing the issue and presenting expert witnesses. 6:30 p.m., Nov. 20.