The principal objective for this course is to build civic skills around running campaigns and elections.
Whether working for an elected official, government agency, or nonprofit organization, many civic leaders at one point in their career will be working on some sort of campaign. This speaker series-based, course will help prepare the next generation for managing a successful one. Students will put their learning into action and work in bipartisan teams to create a campaign plan for a mock candidate. Students will present their plans at the end of the semester to a bipartisan panel of campaign experts.
Classes are taught by Democratic and Republican political professionals. See past speakers below!
Any undergraduate and graduate student is welcome to register.
Fall 2026
Tuesdays / Thursdays 12:15 pm - 1:45 pm
LBJ School of Public Affairs - SRH B10
Instructor:
Emily Bhandari, MPAff, MSSW
Executive Director, The Patman Center for Civic and Political Engagement
Assistant Professor of Practice, LBJ School of Public Affairs
Faculty Fellow, RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service
GOV 381L: 40620
PA 355: 65748
PA 388L: 66035
SW 395K: 67008
Results from students- Fall 2025 course pre-and-post test survey:
Fall 2025 Speakers
Fall 2024 Speakers
Darcy Caballero (D)
Government Relations and Political Director at Planned Parenthood and Texas Votes
Liz Chadderdon (D)
Former President and Creative Director at Chadderdon Lestingi Creative Strategies
Matthew Dowd (I)
Chief strategist for the Bush–Cheney 2004 presidential campaign and former ABC News political analyst
The Honorable Sherri Greenberg (D)
Former Texas State Representative
Assistant Dean, LBJ School of Public Affairs
Scott Pollard (D)
Former Director of Advance for The Texas Democratic Party and Former Advance Associate for The White House under President Obama
