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The Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service

About the Institute

The Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service was established at Washington State University in 1995 to honor Speaker Foley’s more than 30 years of public service to both state and nation and as the 49th Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Foley chairing a committee 1975.

Mission

The mission of the institute is three-fold:

  • Public affairs education: The institute organizes approximately 30-40 public lectures, symposia, and conferences each year on the WSU campus and other locations around the state to educate students and the public about government, politics, and public affairs. Approximately 3000-4000 individuals attend these public events annually.
  • Engaging students in public service: The institute offers approximately 40-50 student internships each year. Students are placed in the U.S. Congress, the Washington state legislature, political campaigns, and various federal, state and local agencies. The Institute also provides a limited number of undergraduate scholarships for students interested in careers in public service.
  • Supporting academic research on public policy and democratic institutions: The institute, housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, supports research on public policy and democratic institutions through endowed professorships, research fellowships and scholarships, as well as through sponsorship of research conferences and interdisciplinary research partnerships.