Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service
Learn. Serve. Lead.
Advancing democracy through education, research, and public service.
Upcoming News and events
- Read a Washington State voter survey report, written by Foley Fellow Carah Ong Whaley, on vote intention, ballot delivery, election concerns, and much more here.
- Tuesday, November 3, 12pm, Pullman. Election Prediction Panel with Todd Donovan, WWU, Thessalia Merivaki, and Travis Ridout, both WSU.
- Have a question about the election? Check out our Ask the Foley Institute!
- Interested in finding out more about the three initiatives on Washington’s ballot this year? See our cosponsored debate on them.
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
VoterCast- How did you thank your election heroes this year?
This opinion column from Lia Merivaki, director of the Foley Institute, discusses inviting elections officials from the state of Washington and Whitman County to speak with the WSU community about how voting in Washington state works and how they engage with voters on the ground.
Misinformation efforts shift to target AI ahead of 2026 midterm elections
Bad actors seeking to misinform potential voters are taking a new approach.
SciLine: Chatbots and deepfakes in the 2026 midterms
Thessalia Merivaki, director of the Foley Institute, spoke with SciLine about how artificial intelligence is poised to impact the 2026 midterm elections.
WSU students have options for voting in November election
Washington State University students who are registered to vote elsewhere in Washington can still cast their ballots in Pullman for the Nov. 3 general election, even if their ballots were mailed to their home addresses.