Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service
Learn. Serve. Lead.
Advancing democracy through education, research, and public service.
Upcoming Events
- September 24, 2026, 12pm – Lecture with Sara Sadhwani: “Climate justice among Latino and Asian American Voters”
- September 29, 2026, 12pm – Lecture with Nathan Katz: “Bankrupting Democracy and the 2026 Midterms”
At a Glance
- Established in 1995 to honor Speaker Thomas S. Foley, 49th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
- Provides 40–50 internships each year in Congress, the Washington Legislature, campaigns, and public agencies
- Home to annual public events reaching 3,000–4,000 people statewide
- Supports research and scholarship on public policy and democratic institutions through fellowships, professorships, and conferences
Student Opportunities
- Internships: Real-world experience in legislative offices, campaigns, and agencies
- Scholarships: Support for undergraduates preparing for careers in public service
- Mentorship: Faculty and professional networks that connect learning to leadership
Research & Scholarship
- Endowed Professorships: Supporting faculty expertise in public policy and democratic institutions
- Fellowships & Grants: Advancing student and faculty-led research projects
- Collaborations: Sponsoring interdisciplinary research conferences and partnerships across fields
Public Engagement
- Lectures & Symposia: Bringing national leaders, policymakers, and scholars to campus and the state
- Conferences: Creating spaces for dialogue on pressing issues in democracy and governance
- Community Reach: Thousands of participants annually, connecting students and the public to civic life
- Publications: Sharing insights and impact through the Foley Report and annual magazine
We are a non-partisan public policy institute, focused on bringing world class speakers to our public events; supporting student internships in public service; and supporting scholarly research on public policy and political institutions. We invite you to join us. Please stop by the Foley Institute on the 3rd floor of Bryan Hall, WSU Pullman.
Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service in the News
SciLine: What research tells us about voter fraud
Thessalia Merivaki, Director of Thomas S. Foley Institute of Public Service and Public Policy at WSU, provided insight into interviewing local officials about electoral processes.
Harvard Kennedy School, Shorestein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy: “What’s normal and what isn’t on Election Day and beyond: A webinar for reporters”
Thessalia Merivaki, Director of Thomas S. Foley Institute of Public Service and Public Policy at WSU, appeared as one of the panelists for this discussion.
CNBC: Election officials ban certain public workers from trading on prediction markets ahead of midterms
Thessalia Merivaki, professor of government and director of the Foley Institute, was quoted in an CNBC article about election officials banning certain public workers from trading on prediction markets ahead of midterm elections.
Merivaki appointed Director of Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service
The Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service has selected Thessalia Merivaki as the institute’s next director.