Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service
Learn. Serve. Lead.
Advancing democracy through education, research, and public service.
Upcoming Events
- Tuesday, October 13, 12pm, Pullman. Lecture with John Herrington, former NASA astronaut: “Astronauts for America”
- Wednesday, October 14, 6pm, Spokane. Candidate forum, cosponsored with NAACP and Nuestras Raices.
- Thursday, October 15, 12pm, Pullman. Lecture with Lisa Bryant, California State University, Fresno: Election Skepticism.
- Thursday, October 15, 6:30pm, Spokane. Ballot initiative debate, cosponsored with Braver Angels.
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
The Journalist’s Resource- What’s normal and what isn’t on Election Day and beyond
Thessalia Merivaki, director of the Foley Institute, joined The Journalist’s Resource as a panelist for an hour-long question-and-answer session about what’s top of mind for voters and election officials this fall from a journalist’s perspective.
The Markup- What it takes for voters to be resilient against AI misinformation
Thessalia Merivaki, director of the Foley Institute, spoke with The Markup about what happens when more voters than ever are using AI to get election information, what election officials have done to make sure accurate information cuts through the noise, and how we all can work toward a more resilient electorate in the age of AI.
Foley Institute cosponsors panel debate on Washington’s three 2026 ballot initiatives
The Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service at Washington State University is cosponsoring a nonpartisan panel debate on the three statewide initiatives on Washington’s November 2026 ballot in partnership with Braver Angels of Washington State.
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.