SPP Dean’s Report Vol 21 Iss 1 (2023)

CLASS OF 2023 COMMENCEMENT

The School of Public Policy hosted the 2023 commencement on April 14, 2023, at Alumni Park on the Pepperdine University Malibu Campus to recognize the graduating class. The ceremony was opened by Robert and Katheryn Dockson Professor of Public Policy Robert Kaufman and the invocation was delivered by Charity Wallace, School of Public Policy Board of Advisors member.

Provost of Pepperdine University, Jay Brewster, warmly addressed the graduates by stating, “For each of today’s graduates, we anticipate a bright future guided by wisdom, compassion, humility, and the integrity to prioritize the common good over one’s personal gains. The world desperately needs more leaders to demonstrate these traits.”

Commencement continued on page 4

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY

Expands Presence in Washington, DC, Through Joseph and Farima Czyzyk DC Scholars Program

The Pepperdine School of Public Policy has announced a $1 million endowment gift from SPP Board of Advisors chair Joseph Czyzyk, and his wife, Farima. The endowment will support the school’s highly regarded summer program in Washington, DC, which has been renamed the Joseph and Farima Czyzyk DC Scholars Program.

Czyzyk’s vision for a larger DC presence for the policy school goes back more than a decade. In 2011 Czyzyk and Ed Feulner, then chair of the board of advisors, walked out of lunch in DC and discussed

having a location for Pepperdine’s public policy program in the nation’s capital. Since then, it has been Czyzyk’s passion to see Pepperdine in DC.

“My determination that Pepperdine’s public policy education be available in Washington, DC, made establishing the Czyzyk DC Scholars Program an easy decision, especially as we mark the program’s 25th anniversary,” states Czyzyk. “Today, America needs great leaders. Pepperdine prepares students to be those great leaders. It is also important to me that 90 percent of Pepperdine students

Czyzyk DC Scholars Program continued on page 2

DEAN’S MESSAGE

In February a sold-out crowd celebrated the School of Public Policy’s 25th anniversary under the wings of Air Force One at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. The title of the gala event was “Let Freedom Ring,” and was based on the theme we’ve selected for this special year from Pepperdine University’s own affirmation statement: “That freedom, whether spiritual, intellectual, or economic, is indivisible.”

The evening’s keynote conversation between Taube Professor of International Relations and Politics Kiron Skinner, and our distinguished senior fellow, former national security advisor Robert C. O’Brien—addressed the unique role America has to play in serving as a beacon for this three-part (religious, intellectual, economic) definition of freedom, especially as opponents of these values are making themselves increasingly visible on the world scene.

Their conversation reminded us not only of America’s distinctive identity and responsibilities but also of our own responsibilities at the School of Public Policy to prepare leaders who will be

defending freedom both at home and abroad for generations to come.

In my own remarks, I began by asking a simple question: “What are anniversaries for?” I argued that this particular anniversary should be seen as a demonstration of a quarter century of kept promises made to donors, students, faculty, and staff. The fact that an educational institution has done this in the midst of academia’s challenging headwinds is truly worthy of celebration.

To conclude the festivities, we released our new promotional video, “Shaping the World for the Next 100 Years,” adapting the text of one of Ronald Reagan’s 1976 radio commentaries. In the original, Reagan tells the story of writing a letter that will be placed into a time capsule during America’s bicentennial. Originally thinking that this would be a simple task, he began to consider those who will read the letter a century hence. “What do you say about our problems when those who read the letter will know what we don’t know? Namely, how well we did with these problems. In short, they will be living in the world we helped shape.”

I encourage you to watch our new video on YouTube, if you haven’t yet, as this provocative perspective of the future points to what we’re really doing at the School of Public Policy, shaping the future through politics and policy.

So, as I toasted at the end of the evening: “Here’s to our first 25 years, and to the next 100!”

Czyzyk DC Scholars Program from page 1

receive scholarship support, making the Czyzyk DC Scholars Program attainable for everyone with the desire to serve.”

Offered at Pepperdine’s Washington, DC, campus each summer, the Czyzyk DC Scholars Program explores topics typically untouched by many Washington, DC-based policy studies programs, including the role of faith in shaping domestic and foreign policy, as well as the foundational philosophies of education policy. With this endowment gift, prospective students serving in full-time and internship positions in the Washington area will receive full scholarships for these accredited threeunit graduate classes.

This summer, students may choose from two four-week seminar courses. The American Gospel: The Role of Religion in US Domestic and Foreign Policy class, taught by the director of Domestic Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, Ryan Streeter, and senior fellow at Pepperdine School of Public Policy Elizabeth Spalding, will explore cultural and religious factors as motivators of US policy. Humanizing Education Policy: A Study of Foundational Philosophies and Practices, the second course being offered, will be instructed by Lindsey Burke, director of the Center for Education Policy at the Heritage Foundation. Through the lens of a variety of education theories, students will learn key concepts about the human person and delve into

their necessary implications to society, government, and education curricula and policy.

“Washington is home to our secondlargest alumni chapter with many alumni serving in pivotal political and policyrelated positions, and it’s a major part of our vision to grow the impact of our unique graduate program throughout the country,” states dean Pete Peterson.

“Joe has been a remarkable and visionary leader of our board for years, and I’m both grateful for and excited about the role this gift will play in growing our presence in the nation’s capital and preparing our next generation of policy leaders.”

go.pepperdine.edu/scholars

PETE PETERSON Dean, Braun Family Dean’s Chair School of Public Policy

Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership

The Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership is a thought leader in public engagement at the local level and serves as a subject matter expert in the area. The institute has had a full, productive year offering many speaking engagements, publishing articles, and developing new partnerships. In the fall and winter of 2022, the institute delivered conference presentations at the California Association of Public Information Officers, the City County Communication Management Association, the Municipal Management Association of Northern California, the Municipal Management Association of Southern California, and the University Network for Collaborative Governance annual conference. Presentation subjects included navigating difficult conversations between local governments and communities, public engagement as a means to build resilience, developments in public engagement training techniques, and understanding the relationship between public engagement and communication.

In addition to speaking at conferences, the Davenport Institute also hosted a virtual lecture and partnered with the School of Public Policy on an in-person conference. In July 2022, the institute held its annual State of Public Engagement conference, which brings together professionals for a vibrant discussion on public engagement challenges and opportunities. The 2022 conference posed the question, Where are we postpandemic(ish) when it comes to public engagement? In 2020 public engagement went virtual, and in 2021 hybrid public engagement gained momentum along with a return to inperson events. Attendees considered what the future of public engagement looks like and how local governments are adjusting to the changes. Held in partnership with Cal-ICMA, CitizenLab, ELGL, IAP2, IGL, and the P2 Club, the annual conference epitomizes the Davenport Institute’s role as a convener in the space of public engagement.

At the School of Public Policy, the Davenport Institute regularly hosts events that allow students to meet and interact with professionals in local government. Davenport Discussions are casual lunchtime events hosted throughout the semester for students to learn more about careers in local government.

In fall 2022, the institute hosted Las Virgenes Unified School District Board of Education trustee Angela Cutbill and Conejo Recreation and Park District general manager Jim Friedl. In 2023 it hosted former Los Angeles City controller Ron Galperin and Thousand Oaks city manager and Davenport Institute Advisory Council member Drew Powers. The latter disussion was part of the annual City Manager in Residence program, which provides students the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a city manager for career advice and guidance navigating a path in local government.

The Davenport Institute also continues to work with a team of graduate assistants who assist in research, trainings, thought leadership, and events. Thanks to the talented team members, the institute has published three articles in PM Magazine in the last year: “Youth Councils Can Strengthen Local Government and Build Trust” and “Digital Equity and Public Engagement.” The March 2023 issue included “Lessons Learned in Ethical Public Engagement,” by graduate assistant Alexander DeSantis. A new blog on the Davenport Institute website shares information and news on projects, trainings, and trends in public engagement.

Public engagement trainings continue to be a focus for the Davenport Institute and the last year has brought about new, exciting opportunities. The institute continued to provide trainings with the International Association of Government Officials and the California Police Chiefs Association. In the last year, it also developed and delivered a new curriculum for the California Association of Realtors on local government and community engagement. Beyond organizations, the Davenport Institute continues to provide custom public engagement trainings for cities; the most recent one was for the City of Hercules, California. The Professional Certificate in Public Engagement for Local Government continues as a signature offering from the Davenport Institute along with the Professional Certificate in Leading Smart Communities.

The Davenport Institute continues to help build stronger communities and greater confidence in local democracy by promoting public participation in local governance through its global reach and network. The institute continues to grow its reputation as a champion of greater civic engagement in local government through its many opportunities and interactions as a trainer, convener, and thought leader.

publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/davenport-institute

Advancement Message

As we near the conclusion of our 25th anniversary year, it is well worth reflecting on and appreciating those who made the year so rewarding. We have been blessed by new friends like Adam (’99) and Chandra (’99, JD ’02) Melton and their endowment of the new Edwin Meese III Institute along with Tad and Dianne Taube and their support of Kiron Skinner’s new position at the School of Public Policy.

The year also saw long-time friends of SPP make substantial contributions to our work, including SPP Board of Advisors chair, Joe Czyzyk and his wife, Faye, who have endowed our DC summer program; Terry Giles (JD ’74) and Kalli O’Malley, who have funded a new visiting professorship; Marilyn Puckett who added to the major student scholarship fund named for her and her late husband, Allen; and Paul and

Bea Bennett and their new support of Dr. Skinner’s research.

In teaching and research, student scholarship, and expanded programs, friends old and new have made this 25th anniversary year our most fruitful since the school opened its doors in 1997.

Of course, we haven’t yet mentioned the touchstone for the year—our 25th Anniversary Gala at the Reagan Presidential Library in February. We witnessed wonderful involvement from the SPP Board of Advisors and other donors and alumni, making the evening the most successful single fundraising event in SPP’s history. It was truly a “mountaintop” experience, as we celebrated a quarter century of preparing public leaders and engaging in current policy debates.

In Dean Pete Peterson’s closing remarks, he noted that the evening “felt like both a time of looking back, but also the beginning of something new.” Referencing our new promotional video, “Shaping the World for the Next 100 Years,” Peterson noted that our supporters’ contributions to SPP today are truly helping to shape our communities, states, and nation for decades to come.

We welcome speaking with you about how your support might profoundly impact the lives of our students and programs, and through them, how we can shape the world. To learn about the ways you might support SPP, please reach out to vice chancellor Rebecca Malzahn (Rebecca.Malzahn@ Pepperdine.edu), or Dean Peterson (Pete.N.Peterson@Pepperdine.edu).

Commencement from page 1

In SPP tradition, one outstanding student of the graduating class is selected to address their cohort during the ceremony— this year’s speaker was Jennifer Galardi. Galardi graduated with a master of public policy specializing in American policy and politics, and international relations and national security. During her studies at Pepperdine, she published two pieces in the Epoch Times, one on political ideology and another on culture and gender norms. As a fitness and nutrition expert and commentator, Galardi’s works can be seen in various leading health and wellness publications. Last summer she used these skills to help Crete Academy, a nonprofit charter school in Downtown Los Angeles, expand its wellness department capabilities and programming.

Students and guests also heard from author, media executive, former White House staffer, and policy leader Troy V. Senik (’07), who received this year’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. Senik welcomed the graduating students into Pepperdine’s alumni family and encouraged them to pursue what he called the “pinnacle of true citizenship”—the ability to recognize and respond appropriately to the societal issues that can be solved through legislation and the remaining issues that can only be mitigated through kindness and enduring neighborly love.

The ceremony also commemorated the life and legacy of Professor Ted McAllister whose impact on the School of Public Policy will not be long forgotten. In remembrance, an empty chair with McAllister’s regalia was reserved at the faculty seating area.

Finally, the commencement address was delivered by Robert C. O’Brien, former national security advisor and distinguished senior fellow of the School of Public Policy. O’Brien, who also served as SPP’s 25th anniversary gala keynote speaker, mentors future public leaders across the country with his proven ability to create effective, valuable change within our nation and around the world.

After the conferring of the degrees by Pepperdine University president Jim Gash, a benediction was offered to close the momentous gathering by Maureen Tobin, executive director of the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership.

VICTOR DAVIS HANSON TO BE WELCOMED IN FALL 2023 AS INAUGURAL TERRY GILES AND KALLI O’MALLEY DISTINGUISHED VISITING PROFESSOR

Victor Davis Hanson, the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and former William E. Simon Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Pepperdine School of Public Policy, will return to Pepperdine in fall 2023 to serve as the inaugural Terry Giles and Kalli O’Malley Distinguished Visiting Professor at the School of Public Policy. This visiting position endeavors to attract America’s most respected scholars to teach the relevance of Western civilization and America’s founding principles in the midst of today’s policy and political challenges.

“I’m delighted to serve as the first Giles O’Malley Distinguished Visiting Professor at Pepperdine’s School of Public Policy. The school has long been committed to teaching applied history to future policy makers and political leaders, placing great value on viewpoint diversity in classroom discussions and research. At this stage in my teaching career and in our nation’s history, I’m focusing my efforts on preparing the next generation of public leaders, and I regard Pepperdine’s graduate policy program as an important ‘tip of the spear’ educational institution,” states Hanson.

Hanson will teach a course each fall through the endowment related to his scholarly expertise in applied history, military history, and American political culture. This upcoming fall he will lead students through Roots of American Leadership in Peace and War in an exploration of famous generals and leaders whose personas transcended the battlefield.

Pete Peterson, dean of SPP comments, “This announcement brings together great friends of our unique graduate program in Dr. Hanson and Terry Giles (JD ’74) and his wife, Kalli O’Malley. We are honored to welcome Dr. Hanson back to Malibu to serve as our first Giles O'Malley Distinguished Visiting Professor. Victor is one of the

country’s leading public intellectuals and scholars teaching how history should inform today’s policy makers. After several visiting stints here at the policy school over the years, I’m delighted to have Victor back in this long-term, endowed professorship.”

At Stanford University, Hanson was a National Endowment for the Humanities fellow at the Center for Advanced Studies in the Behavioral Sciences from 1992 to 1993 and a visiting professor of classics from 1991 to 1992. He served as the annual Wayne and Marcia Buske Distinguished Visiting Fellow in History at Hillsdale College from 2004 to 2022 and the Visiting Shifron Professor of Military History at the US Naval Academy from 2002 to 2003. In 1991 he was awarded an American Philological Association Excellence in Teaching Award. He received the Eric Breindel Award for Excellence in Opinion Journalism in 2002, was presented the Manhattan Institute’s Wriston Lecture in 2004, and was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2007 and the Bradley Prize in 2008.

Giles is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and a Life Regent on the Pepperdine University Board of Regents. “Kalli and I are committed to Pepperdine and its mission. This includes support for the School of Public Policy and its fight for an ethical and unbiased free press dedicated to America’s founding principles,” reflects Giles. “Funding in perpetuity the Giles O’Malley Distinguished Visiting Professorship and having an intellectual superstar like Victor Davis Hanson as the first to serve in this professorship is the perfect manifestation of our goals. With the guidance of dean Pete Peterson, the selection of Victor Davis Hanson was a goal from the beginning, as he provides current wisdom badly needed in today’s society and sets the ideal model for all professors who hold this chair into the future.”

OPPORTUNITY OUT OF DIVERSITY OF THOUGHT

By Troy Collazo (MPP ’23)

On February 20, 2023, the Pepperdine School of Public Policy hosted the “Opportunity Out of Diversity of Thought” webinar in honor of Black History Month. Dean Pete Peterson moderated the discussion between guest speakers Shelby Steele, civil rights activist and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, and his son, Eli Steele (MPP ’11), an alumnus of SPP and director of the films What Killed Michael Brown and How Jack Became Black The Steeles discussed their commitment to representing diversity of thought in the Black community.

Shelby Steele began the conversation by explaining his connection to the civil rights movement. Steele’s parents founded the Congress of Racial Equality and raised him in the Black church, which gave him a strong vision of racial equality. He also became involved with the Black Power movement as he saw his participation necessary during increasingly oppressive times. The movement, according to Steele, was intended to merge into a larger, inclusive, American identity, but he felt an increasing tension between other members that pulled the group toward a less desirable direction.

Shelby Steele said that he was proud to be Black but even more proud to be an American, and that while culture is important for self-expression, America’s ideas and opportunities are what unite us. As a former English professor, Shelby Steele opposes Black studies programs because he feels they do not allow an individual to express his or her full self but be singularly defined by race. Focusing on racial identity, he believes, has not led our nation to racial equality, but rather has deepened divides by encouraging tribalism.

A common theme of the session was that the familiar narratives heard about the Black community do not reflect the opinions of ordinary citizens. When interviewing members of the Black community for his documentaries, Eli Steele found that cultural slogans, such as “defund the police” do not reflect the true desires of most Black people, who simply want the same safety available to others. Looking at the policy failures of many government programs that sought to help improve Black communities, the Steeles encouraged embracing education and the free market to increase opportunities for Black Americans.

The discussion ended with Shelby and Eli Steele expressing optimism about the future. Both men have seen the diversity of thought in the Black community flourish as people reject old narratives in search of bettering their communities. To help push this vision forward, Shelby Steele founded the Shelby Steele Foundation, which awards scholarships to college-bound teens for essays on American exceptionalism.

Eli Steele continues using film work to shed new light on controversial issues and encourage independent thinking. go.pepperdine.edu/diversity-thought 6 | School of

School of Public Policy WELCOMES KNOX THAMES AS SENIOR FELLOW LEADING A $1.5 MILLION TEMPLETON RELIGION TRUST GRANT

Pepperdine University has received a grant of $1,531,920 from the Templeton Religion Trust (TRT) to launch the “Covenantal Pluralism Project: Promoting Covenantal Pluralism Through Heritage, Coalitions, and Advocacy.” This initiative is one of TRT’s many programs that seek to contribute to the John Templeton Foundation’s broader mission of improving the well-being of individuals and societies through spiritual growth and an ever-improving understanding of faith-based knowledge.

As a grantee of TRT, Knox Thames joined Pepperdine University as a senior fellow with the School of Public Policy and the Caruso School of Law. After 20 years of government service in various diplomatic roles including special envoy for religious minorities in the State Department during the Obama and Trump administrations, Thames will direct the Program on Global Faith and Inclusive Societies, which will develop innovative approaches to foster an appreciation for diversity, pluralism, and the rights of others.

“I am excited to join Pepperdine University because of its academic excellence as a top university, its devotion to Christian values, and its integration of faith and learning,” said Thames. “Pepperdine’s global outlook and footprint, commitment to advancing human rights, and emphasis on service make it the perfect place to pursue research initiatives related to international religious freedom, pluralism, and minority rights.”

“As one of America’s few graduate public policy schools at a Christian university, we take seriously the role of religion in forming moral leaders and supporting a vibrant civil society,” said Pete Peterson, dean of the School of Public Policy. “We’re excited to welcome Knox to our growing roster of senior fellows as he brings such an important scholarly background in religious liberty in policy and in law. I know our students will benefit greatly from his expertise,” Peterson added.

Thames is a senior visiting expert with the Middle East and Religion and Inclusive Societies teams at the US Institute of Peace. He has appeared before the US Congress, the United Nations, and European Parliament and has been published in TIME, USA Today, Foreign Policy, the Harvard Human Rights Journal, and the Yale Journal of International Affairs, among others. Thames previously served on the US Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe—also known as the Helsinki Commission—as well as with the US Commission for International Religious Freedom, AmeriCorps, and the US Army War College as an adjunct research professor.

School of Public Policy CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

On Saturday, February 11, 2023, the Pepperdine School of Policy celebrated its 25th anniversary with a reception and dinner at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. The title for the gala “Let Freedom Ring,” was derived from the Pepperdine University Affirmation Statement, which declares in part “that freedom, whether spiritual, intellectual, or economic, is indivisible.”

More than 450 registered guests heard from various speakers who acknowledged the program’s unique history and looked forward to its exciting future. The evening included a keynote conversation featuring former US Ambassador, national security advisor, and distinguished senior fellow at Pepperdine School of Public Policy Robert C. O’Brien on the issues of American national security and current challenges in Europe and Asia.

“The anniversary gala was the culmination of a quarter century commitment to freedom, but it also set the foundation for a new era at the School of Public Policy,” says SPP dean Pete Peterson. “With newly endowed professorships and expansion plans in Washington, DC, I couldn’t be more excited about SPP’s future as a distinctive public leadership program.”

The School of Public Policy offers a deep appreciation for every friend, supporter, faculty, staff, and current student that has played a vital part in forming the special identity of this unparalleled master of public policy program.

PEPPERDINE GRIEVES THE PASSING OF PROFESSOR TED Mc ALLISTER

With deep sadness, the School of Public Policy acknowledges the passing of Ted McAllister, Edward L. Gaylord Chair and professor of public policy at Pepperdine School of Public Policy.

An Oklahoma native, McAllister came to SPP in 1998 from Hillsdale College and was named the Edward L. Gaylord Chair as an associate professor of public policy. Tenured in 2003 and promoted to the rank of professor in 2020, he was integral in building the core curriculum, specifically the school’s signature foundational courses Ethical Dimensions of Public Policy: Great Books and Great Ideas, and The Roots of American Order: What is Public Policy? McAllister was also instrumental in creating intellectually challenging courses in modern American and democratic culture in the American politics and policy track.

“Ted’s influence on SPP and our students is incalculable,” states Pete Peterson, dean and Braun Family Dean’s Chair. “Beginning with us in our second year, he fundamentally shaped our unique curriculum that balances the study of history and political philosophy along with the more quantitative classes. Ted constantly challenged himself and his students to see public policy through the lenses of the liberal arts—to always consider the human dimension of policy decisions. He was the dearest of friends, a courageous defender of principles, and the epitome of a ‘scholar and gentleman.’”

From 2012 to 2013, McAllister served as a visiting fellow of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University; received grants from the Hagopian Family Foundation and the Earhart Foundation for his work on “A Place in the World: Geography, Identity, and Civic Engagement in Modern America,” a research conference to explore the restoration of “place” in American life; and was a recipient of the Pepperdine Waves of Innovation grant for the Pepperdine Executive Preceptorial in 2014 with Seaver College professor of English Michael Ditmore.

An innovator in the classroom, McAllister was a two-time recipient of the Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence (2004 and 2017). He was known for organizing reading groups for students, colloquiums with Church of Christ sister schools, and designing thought-provoking courses such as Manliness:

Courage in a Disordered Age; Tocqueville, Local Self-Rule, and Civil Society; and Public Opinion and the Problem of Democratic Governance.

A respected scholar, McAllister authored the just-released, penetrating book Character in the American Experience: An Unruly People with Bruce Frohnen; as well as Coming Home: Reclaiming America’s Conservative Soul also with Frohnen; Why Place Matters: Geography, Identity, and Civic Life in Modern America with Wilfred McClay, among others.

He received a PhD in American intellectual and cultural history from Vanderbilt University, an MA with a concentration in American intellectual history from Claremont Graduate School, and a BA in history from Oklahoma Christian College.

An active member of the Camarillo Church of Christ, McAllister taught bible studies and held leadership roles. McAllister is survived by his wife, Dena, his daughter, Elisabeth (Elisa), and his son, Luke.

In commemoration of his legacy as a founding faculty member, the School of Public Policy has created the Ted V. McAllister Endowed Scholarship, where his beloved attributes as a bold defender of principles and a relentless seeker of truth will live on in the students awarded the scholarship.

PROFESSOR LUISA BLANCO ON SABATTICAL

In the fall of 2022 School of Public Policy Professor

Lusia Blanco paused her classroom instruction to begin an academic sabbatical to continue research and further personal academic-based initiatives.

A community-based research program, MindYourMoney, led by Blanco, was birthed out of her curiosity and vision about the long-term impacts and benefits mobile financial coaching may have on an individual’s stress levels. With a focus on the Latinx community, MindYourMoney successfully surveyed 150 participants who engaged in the weekly educational program. The article “The Impact of a Mobile Phone-Delivered Digital Financial Education Program on Financial Behavior Among Hispanics,” details Blanco’s findings. In it, Blanco writes, “We found that our program had a positive statistical significant effect on financial capability. Participants who completed program activities were more likely to have a budget/spending plan and felt more confident about their ability to pay for unexpected expenses.”

Blanco’s second research undertaking was MiVacuna LA, a digital outreach program created to increase information accessibility to Latinx families in the city of Los Angeles about the importance of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Usng the newly discovered conclusions about mobile phone interventions from MindYourMoney, Blanco joined forces with Yelba M. Castellon-Lopez, University of California, Los Angeles, physician and researcher, to increase health resources to families with children between the ages of 5 and 11. The success of MiVacuna LA was broadly acknowledged by being selected as a winner for the Innovation Studio at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. The competition titled “VaxUp Innovation Challenge” evaluated and ranked more than 45 programs with the united purpose of boosting COVID-19 vaccine rates throughout Los Angeles County. MiVacuna LA was awarded a $75,000 research grant.

Blanco reflects on her season of sabbatical saying, “I’ve come to realize that I really want to continue working on my community-based participatory research. I see that there is so much need in the community and I realized that’s really where I want to focus my efforts. And I want to continue to work in the space of financial well-being and health, but I’m also open to whatever the community needs.”

Blanco recently joined the 2023 editorial team of the Journal of Consumer Affairs as an associate editor and her collaborative studies on retirement planning with Ron Hays, professor of health policy and management at the University of California, Los Angeles, Fielding School of Public Policy, was featured by MarketWatch and Barron’s in their article “The Racial, Ethnic, and Gender Retirement Gaps: How Do We Close Them?”

Blanco will return to teaching in the fall of 2023.

HAVA AT 20: BUILDING TRUST IN ELECTIONS

On September 1, the School of Public Policy hosted “HAVA at 20: Building Trust in Elections”—a one-day conference held in partnership with the US Election Assistance Commission. The fourpart lecture celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002, which was signed by President George W. Bush to improve voting systems and update statewide requirements including voter identification procedures, voter registration databases, and voter education.

The morning began with remarks by Election Assistance Commission’s chairman Thomas Hicks; School of Public Policy dean Pete Peterson as well as virtual introductions by senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and senator Roy Blunt (R-MO).

Panelists in the first conversation, “Confidence in Elections,” addressed the current perception of voter trust and the misinformation often surrounding the election system. “Security and Technology in Elections” panelists discussed the possible security threats to US national and local races and acknowledged that since the signing of HAVA, the manner of threats has transitioned from a focus on physical to cyber threats. Also noted was the crucial role of technology administrators and the complex functions and corresponding needs of voter technology. In the third session, “Current Issues in Election Administration (Clearinghouse/ HAVA Grants),” participants related potential challenges to election funding and grants, which, if overcome, could allow for effective policy changes. Lastly, in the discussion of the “Future of Elections: HAVA 20 Years from Now,” speakers looked ahead to the coming obstacles and opportunities of election procedures and isolated key portions of HAVA that will continue to have an impact on future generations.

go.pepperdine.edu/building-trust-in-elections

2022–2023 Scholarship Recipients

The Pepperdine School of Public Policy awards a number of scholarships each year, which are made available through endowed funds, generous gifts from supporters and alumni, and allocation of University general funds. The scholarship committee awards scholarships based on merit, academic excellence, and professional experience, as well as standardized test scores. The School of Public Policy is proud to recognize the 2022–2023 scholars:

LASZLO AND MILKA AMBRUS ENDOWED SCHOLARS

The Laszlo and Milka Ambrus Endowed Scholarship was established for students pursuing a degree at the School of Public Policy who are in good standing in all areas of the University.

ARIF HUSEIN (MPP ’23)

BA, Global Studies

The University of Western Ontario

ANALISE NASH

BA, Biology

Pepperdine University

CONOR O’HARA (MPP ’23)

BA, History

University of Colorado

WILLIAM S. AND GAY BANOWSKY ENDOWED SCHOLAR

Established by Lew O. Ward and supported by a circle of friends, the William S. and Gay Banowsky Endowed Scholarship provides grants to students pursuing a master of public policy at the School of Public Policy.

GAETANO MONTALBANO

BA, Political Philosophy

University of Dallas

JOHN AND REBECCA BARTON ENDOWED SCHOLAR

The John and Rebecca Barton Endowed Scholarship was established in memory of Harry E. Shafer and Izelle C. Shafer to support gifted and talented students who, in the judgment of the University, offer great promise for leadership in our country or its supporting institutions.

ALEXANDER DESANTIS (MPP ’23)

BA, Political Science and Public Policy

University of Redlands

BLACK ALUMNI COUNCIL SCHOLAR

The Black Alumni Council Scholarship was established to support students at the School of Public Policy through the generosity of the Black Alumni Council.

JANETH JEPLETING

BA, Political Science

Catholic University of Eastern Africa

BOB AND AMY CLARK FAMILY ENDOWED SCHOLAR

The Bob and Amy Clark Endowed Scholarship was established for students pursuing a degree at the School of Public Policy who are in good standing in all areas of the University.

GRACE PIPPAS (MPP ’23)

BA, Communication Columbus State University

DR. FRANK W. AND MRS. SHERRY R. CORNELL ENDOWED SCHOLAR

The Dr. Frank W. and Mrs. Sherry R. Cornell Endowed Scholarship provides support for Catholic students pursuing a degree at the School of Public Policy.

GRACE RALSTIN

BA, Political Science

Pacific Lutheran University

DAVID AND SALLY DAVENPORT ENDOWED SCHOLAR

The David and Sally Davenport Endowed Scholarship was established for students pursuing a degree at the School of Public Policy who are in good standing in all areas of the University.

KATHRYN FORTENBERRY

BA, Economics and Philosophy

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

LYNN AND FOSTER FRIESS ENDOWED SCHOLAR

Established by a gift from the National Christian Foundation Giving fund on behalf of Foster and Lynn Friess and the Friess Family Foundation, the Lynn and Foster Friess Endowed Scholarship provides support for qualified School of Public Policy students who have evidenced leadership based on the principles embedded in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.

LAUREN McCOY (MPP ’23)

BS, Communication Texas Christian University

FRITZ ENDOWED SCHOLARS

Founded in 2001 by Lynn C. Fritz, the Fritz Institute is a nonprofit organization designed to partner with governments, nonprofit organizations, and corporations worldwide to innovate solutions and facilitate the adoption of the best practices for rapid and effective disaster response and recovery.

KATHRYN FORTENBERRY

BA, Economics and Philosophy

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

AUSTIN HARDMAN (MPP ’23) BA, Foreign Affairs and Religion

Hampden-Sydney College

LINDA M. GAGE AWP

ENDOWED SCHOLAR

The Linda M. Gage AWP Endowed Scholarship was established by Jerry and Kay Cox to provide scholarship support to Church of Christ students with financial need.

CELESTE BENITEZ GALICIA

BA, Political Science

Pepperdine University

BERTHA AND JOHN GARABEDIAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION ENDOWED SCHOLAR

The Bertha and John Garabedian Charitable Foundation Endowed Scholarship Fund provides assistance to qualified public policy students from Fresno, Kings, Madera, or Tulare counties in California.

NOAH JACKSON

BA, in Political Science and Honors Humanities

Azusa Pacific University

BRUCE HERSCHENSOHN ENDOWED SCHOLAR

Established by Vi Logan, sister to Bruce Herschensohn, the Bruce Herschensohn Endowed Scholarship was created to support students pursuing a degree at the School of Public Policy who are in good standing in all areas of the University.

PATRICK GRACE

BA, Political Science

Pepperdine University

HISPANIC ALUMNI SCHOLAR

The Pepperdine Hispanic Alumni Council Scholarship was designed to support the needs of Latino students through the generosity of the Hispanic Alumni Council.

MARVIN AREVALO

BS, Fraud Examination and Financial Forensics

John Jay College of Criminal Justice

PETER AND VERONICA JOHNSON ENDOWED SCHOLAR

The Peter and Veronica Johnson Endowed Scholarship provides support to students with financial need who are highly qualified applicants to the School of Public Policy and remain in good standing in all areas of the University.

DOMINIC ROMANI

BA, History

Washington State University

RUSSELL AND COLENE JOHNSON ENDOWED SCHOLAR

The Russell and Colene Johnson Endowed Scholarship was established for students pursuing a degree at the School of Public Policy who are in good standing in all areas of the University.

ALAYA McKINNEY

BA, Communication Studies

California State University, Northridge

THOMAS P. KEMP ENDOWED SCHOLAR

The Thomas P. Kemp Endowed Scholarship was established in 2006 as a memorial legacy to Pepperdine regent and avid supporter of the School of Public Policy, Thomas P. Kemp.

COOPER CONWAY

BS, Political Science

Boise State University

WILLIAM AND NANCY MORTENSEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY SCHOLARS

The William and Nancy Mortensen Christian School of Public Policy Scholarship was established for students with a denominational background other than the Church of Christ who are in good standing in all areas of the University.

ANDREW DAVENPORT (MPP ’23)

BA, Political Communication Regent University

DECLAN MADDERN

BA, Philosophy and Literature

Christian Heritage College

WILLIAM AND NANCY MORTENSEN ENDOWED MINORITY SCHOLAR

The William and Nancy Mortensen Endowed Minority Scholarship was established for minority students pursuing a degree at the School of Public Policy who are in good standing in all areas of the University.

ABIGEYA WOLDE

LLB (Bachelor of Laws) Addis Ababa University

MIKE E. O’NEAL ENDOWED SCHOLAR

Established by Peter Cheung and Fred Prager, this endowed scholarship was created to aid deserving School of Public Policy students.

EMMA LOTTMAN

BA, Political Science Westmont College

PETE AND GINA PETERSON ENDOWED SCHOLAR

The Pete and Gina Peterson Endowed Scholarship was established for students pursuing a degree at the School of Public Policy who are in good standing in all areas of the University.

PATRICK GRACE

BA, Political Science Pepperdine University

WALTER AND NANCY POSER ENDOWED SCHOLAR

The Walter and Nancy Poser Endowed Scholarship was established for students pursuing a degree at the School of Public Policy who are in good standing in all areas of the University.

DANIELLE MAXWELL

BA, Communication

California State University, San Bernardino

ALLEN AND MARILYN PUCKETT ENDOWED SCHOLARS

The Allen and Marilyn Puckett Endowed Scholarship was established to provide support for students at the School of Public Policy.

ABBY BUTIKOFER (MPP ’23)

BS, Applied Mathematics

BA, Spanish Utah State University

HEATHER DOUGAN

BSW, Social Work

Freed-Hardeman University

JENNIFER GALARDI (MPP ’23)

BA, Public Policy

Washington and Lee University

CHRISTOPHER LACRETA (MPP ’23)

BA, International Studies

Emmanuel College

S. A. ENLIGHTENMENT SCHOLAR

The S. A. Enlightenment Scholarship was established with a gift from the S. A. Enlightenment Foundation to provide scholarship support for students from predominantly Muslim countries.

ENDRIT HASA (MPP ’22)

MS, Strategic Organizational and Political Sciences

BS, Strategic Science

University of Turin

HARRY AND IZELLE SHAFER ENDOWED SCHOLAR

The Harry and Izelle Shafer Endowed Scholarship was established in memory of Harry E. Shafer and Izelle C. Shafer to support gifted and talented students who, in the judgment of the University, offer great promise for leadership in our country or its supporting institutions.

NOAH JACKSON

BA, Political Science and Honors Humanities

Azusa Pacific University

MARILYN DUNTON SIMPSON ENDOWED SCHOLARS

Established by Marilyn Dunton Simpson in 2009, this scholarship provides support for students at the School of Public Policy.

TALAR HAIDOSSIAN

BBA, Business Administration

Haigazian University

MACKENZIE WINTON

BA, History and Political Science

Principia College

MAURICE H. STANS ENDOWED SCHOLARS

Established in 1999 by the Stans trust, the Maurice H. Stans Endowed Scholarship was created to provide support for African American students.

JASMINE CAMPOS

BA, Political Science and Honors Humanities

BA, Journalism

Azusa Pacific University

TROY COLLAZO (MPP ’23)

BA, Law and National Security

Regent University

JANETH JEPLETING

BA, Political Science

Catholic University of Eastern Africa

TIERRA RICE

BA, Criminal Justice

Azusa Pacific University

RYANNE ROCHESTER

BA, Communication Studies Ithaca College

REANA WILSON (MPP ’23)

BA, Political Science Clark Atlanta University

TERRALYNN AND EARL SWIFT ENDOWED SCHOLARS

Established in 2006 by Terralyn and Earl Swift, this endowed scholarship was created to provide assistance to students interested in studying how people from diverse cultures might discover common values in the context of global interdependence.

RYAN BROWN

BA, Economics

BA, International Studies

Pepperdine University

VAFA FANAII

BA, Political Science and Government Chapman University

NASEEM MOUSSAVIAN (MPP ’23, MDR ’23)

BA, International Studies and Philosophy Boston College

FLORA L. THORNTON ENDOWED SCHOLARS

Established by Flora L. Thornton in 2009, this scholarship is a merit-based academic scholarship for students at the School of Public Policy with demonstrated leadership potential.

CELESTE BENITEZ GALICIA

BA, Political Science Pepperdine University

ERIN SCHRANG

BS, Public Service and Policy

Arizona State University

ABIGAIL TACKER

BA, History and Philosophy

Texas A&M University

LYDELL WARD ENDOWED SCHOLAR

Established in 2008 with a gift from School of Public Policy Board of Advisors member Beti Ward, the Lydell Ward Endowed Scholarship is awarded to qualified female students pursuing a master of public policy.

ALLISON O’NEILL

BA, Psychology and Communication

University of Massachusetts Amherst

MICHAEL AND CHERYL WARDER ENDOWED SCHOLAR

The Michael and Cheryl Warder Endowed Scholarship Fund was established for students pursuing a degree at the School of Public Policy who are in good standing in all areas of the University and who are either current members of any of the five United States armed forces or honorably discharged from one of them.

STEPHEN SHIELDS (MPP ’23)

BA, Administrative Leadership

University of Oklahoma

CHLOE EDWARDS (MPP ’23) BA, English Azusa Pacific University

LACEY KESTECHER (MPP ’23) BS, Business Administration Binghamton University

LAURYN PAYNE

BA, Sociology

University of California, Santa Barbara

MILES POLLARD (MPP ’23)

BSBA, Comprehensive Economics BA, International Studies

University of West Florida

J. McDONALD AND JUDY WILLIAMS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY SCHOLAR

Established by J. McDonald and Judy Williams in 1999, the J. McDonald and Judy Williams School of Public Policy Scholarship is designed to assist deserving School of Public Policy students who are members of Churches of Christ.

ABIGAIL TACKER

BA, History and Philosophy

Texas A&M University

Faculty Update

RICK COLE Adjunct Faculty

In the fall of 2022, Cole was named chief deputy controller for the City of Los Angeles. He brings extensive experience in local government services as a former council member, two-time city manager, and Southern California director of the Local Government Commission. He also represented the City of Los Angeles from 2013 to 2015 as deputy mayor.

JOEL FOX Adjunct Faculty

Joel Fox represented Pepperdine University at the Valley Industry & Commerce Association annual conference by speaking on a panel that analyzed the then upcoming 2022 election. Following the conference, Fox wrote an op-ed article with his insights on the coming election, which was published in the Los Angeles Daily News

Fox was also published in Sacramento’s Capitol Weekly with a commentary on the appropriateness of both Congress and the California Legislature to uphold supermajority votes to pass legislation in certain cases. Fox argued the mechanisms of the policy provided stability in lawmaking. A second opinion piece in Capitol Weekly discussed the philosophical divide in the Republican Party.

Fox coordinated the conference on direct democracy reported in the last Dean’s Report, which brought together Pepperdine’s School of Public Policy, the Public Policy Institute of California, and Zócalo Public Square as hosts. The event’s success led to a second conference looking at California’s initiative process tied to the measures on the 2022 California ballot with the students in his class playing key roles at the event.

SEAN JASSO Adjunct Faculty Practitioner of Economics Graziadio Business School

While completing his 20th year teaching at Pepperdine, in 2022 Jasso published “The Product Life Cycle: Integrating the Modern Classic into Modern Resource Allocation” in the European Journal of Management; presented “Innovations in Public Policy: Pedagogical Foundations, Frameworks, and Strategies” at the International Atlantic Economic Society; and “Public Policy Foundations, Frameworks, and Analysis: A Platform for Good Governance” at the Western Economic Association.

Other 2022 lectures included “The Future of Vietnam: The Nhà Bè District’s Development of the Modern Smart City,” at the Ministry of Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and the University of Economics HCMC Vietnam and “The Political Economy of the Middle East—From Antiquity to Modernity: The Egypt, Jordan, Israel Intensive;” “The Washington, DC Intensive—Politics and Policy;” and “The Future of Ethics and Corporate Governance, I.R. 4.0, Corporate Sustainability, and the Future of Work” at Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.

Jasso also serves on the advisory council of the Universidad de Nuevo León’s School of Political Science and International Relations in Monterrey, Mexico, where he lectures on American and Mexican politics and policy.

Alumni Notes

JAMES PRIEGER Professor of Public Policy

James Prieger has presented research on mitigating the consequences of banning menthol cigarettes at several conferences across the country including the 92nd annual meeting of the Southern Economic Association, serving as chair of its “Legal and Illegal Substances Use: Policy and Outcomes,” session; the Association of Public Policy and Management fall conference; the 94th International Atlantic Economic Conference; and the Western Economic Association International 97th annual conference. Prieger also served as a moderator and discussant at the TPRC 2022 Internet Policy conference in Washington, DC, for the session on internet inequality.

His research paper “Tax Noncompliance: The Role of Tax Morale in Smokers’ Behavior” was accepted for publication in Contemporary Economic Policy Journal and his paper “Local Banking Markets and Barriers to Entrepreneurship in Minority and Other Areas: Does Broadband Availability Help?” was accepted for publication in the Journal of Economics and Business. Prieger’s work on illicit trade in tobacco products will also be featured in the forthcoming publication of Concepts and Cases of Illicit and Illegitimate Finance by Abdul Rafay.

In September 2022, Prieger presented “On Optimal Taxes for Cigarettes and E-cigarettes: Does the Objective Matter?” for the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World Economics Webinar. Later in the year, Prieger joined the American Enterprise Institute as a panelist for a webinar titled “Follow the Money: Ensuring Accountability in Broadband Initiatives.” The conversation featured fellow subject experts on technology and broadband access.

ABBYLIN SELLERS Adjunct Faculty

Abbylin Sellers received a prestigious Fulbright Scholar Award for the 2022–2023 academic year. From September 2022 through February 2023, she taught at two institutions in Japan, Yokohama National University and Hosei University (Ichigaya, Tokyo). Her courses were for undergraduates and focused on American constitutional democracy and the American presidency. The courses offered Japanese students a unique perspective on the juxtaposition between the US and Japan’s own constitution and democracy. Students also had the opportunity to learn about American public policy relating to education and welfare.

BRIAN DRISCOLL (MPP ’04) is the commander of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) elite Hostage Rescue Team and is the section chief of the Critical Incident Response Group’s Tactical section which includes leading the FBI’s National Tactical Program including all 56 field SWAT, crisis negotiation, and operational medical teams. Prior to his 16-year career with the FBI, Driscoll was a special agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service where he worked narcotics and violent crime violations.

AUSTIN HARDMAN (MPP ’23) has recently been hired as a Research Assistant at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where he will be working on the Project for Prosperity and Development (PPD). The project examines national security through the lens of international finance, economics, and development. As a member of the PPD team, Hardman is eager to contribute to identifying innovative international development policies and strategies that promote private-sector growth and optimize the utilization of US foreign assistance.

CJ LACRETA (MPP ’23) accepted a position with Iron Light Labs, an award-winning nonprofit creative media and marketing organization, as a partnership and impact producer. Working on the Impact Team, LaCreta will contribute to their purpose-driven work of storytelling and expressing political and social issues through media.

JEFF LONGUST (MPP ’18) and his wife Brooke welcomed their daughter, Isabelle Julia Longust, born on April 20, 2023, in Ladera Ranch, California.

AID, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND US-ETHIOPIA RELATIONS AT THE KING’S COLLEGE

This February the School of Public Policy sponsored a research conference in partnership with the Acton Institute in Manhattan, New York. The two-day event, “Aid, Entrepreneurship, and US-Ethiopia Relations” convened scholars and experts in the field of global relations, poverty reduction, and business growth.

Pete Peterson, dean of the School of Public Policy, moderated the discussion of “Can Aid Bring Aid to an End?” with esteemed scholar William Easterly, professor of economics at New York University and codirector of the NYU Development Research Institute. Peterson also hosted a conversation on aid’s cultural and socioeconomic impact on Ethiopia.

“The School of Public Policy was delighted to cohost this important series of conversations with policy analysts and policy leaders exploring and critiquing American policy toward Africa in general and Ethiopia in particular,” comments Pete Peterson. “As Pepperdine’s role on the continent is expanding, facilitating policy discussions like this, and building relationships with both scholars and political leaders have never been more important. It was also a great opportunity to partner with our friends at the Acton Institute and The King’s College. I look forward to further dialogues about US policy toward Africa in the future,” adds Peterson.

The event also marked the launch of SOPHOS AFRICA, a nonprofit organization created to address the sociopolitical struggles ravaging Africa and use human ingenuity and agency to increase value-driven ideas. Present at the seminar was founder and executive director of SOPHOS AFRICA, Desta Heliso.

Other noteworthy speakers included Ethiopia’s justice minister, Gideon Timothewos, and producer of Poverty, Inc. and chief of strategic initiatives at Acton Institute, Michael Miller.

NO WAY TO TREAT A CHILD SERIES A SEMINAR SERIES ON FOSTER CARE AND YOUTH SERVICES

On September 20, 2022, the School of Public Policy kicked off its four-part seminar series on the foster care system and youth services. In these webinars, resident fellow of the American Enterprise Institute, Naomi Schaefer Riley, interviewed leading practitioners and policy makers in the fields of child and youth welfare to provide listeners with a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities in these crucial services. Each session was based on Schaefer Riley’s research for her latest book, No Way to Treat a Child: How the Foster Care System, Family Courts, and Racial Activists Are Wrecking Young Lives

Far before the Supreme Court Dobbs’ decision of June 2022, a comprehensive mix of government and nonprofit organizations have worked to support America’s youth and families. However, with the change in the federal abortion policy, many wonder whether these systems—operating mostly at the state and local levels—can respond to new stresses and strains. Each webinar addressed a different aspect of this question.

Session one, titled “What Is Child Maltreatment and How Should the Government Respond to It?” featured associate professor of sociology and public policy at Penn State University, Sarah Anne Font. The second event, “How Do Family Courts Determine Child Maltreatment and Decide on Foster Care?” was led by CEO and executive director of the Jewish Child Care Association, Ronald Richter. The third session asked the question “What is the role of the faith community in caring for abused and neglected children?” In this webinar, Schaefer Riley spoke with Jedd Medfind, who serves as the president of the Christian Alliance for Orphans. The final series installment was instructed by John A. Tate Distinguished Professor for Children in Need at the University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, Emily Putnam-Hornstein. Putnam-Hornstein addressed how to use technology to best promote safe and flourishing environments for youth.

All four discussions concluded with an opportunity for direct questions from the viewers.

go.pepperdine.edu/no-way-treat-child-series

PEPPERDINE MOURNS THE PASSING OF SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY PROFESSOR EMERITUS GORDON LLOYD

With great sadness, the School of Public Policy announces the recent loss of Professor Emeritus Gordon Lloyd, who passed away on April 30, 2023. Lloyd was the inaugural Robert and Katheryn Dockson Professor of Public Policy and the founding faculty member at SPP having taught for 18 years. An accomplished author, intellectual, and constitutional scholar, Lloyd developed the curriculum that serves as the school’s foundation.

The author and coauthor of numerous books on the American founding and sole author of a book on the political economy of the New Deal, Lloyd also has numerous articles, reviews, and opinion-editorials to his credit. His latest coauthored book with David Davenport, former president of Pepperdine University, is titled Equality of Opportunity: A Century of Debate and was released on June 1, 2023. Lloyd’s other books include How Public Policy Became War with David Davenport, The Bill of Rights: Core Documents, The Constitutional Convention: Core Documents, Rugged Individualism: Dead or Alive? with Davenport, The New Deal & Modern American Conservatism: A Defining Rivalry with Davenport, The American Founding: Core Documents, Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787, The Two Narratives of Political Economy with Nicholas Capaldi, and The Two Faces of Liberalism: How the Hoover-Roosevelt Debate Shapes the 21st Century, among many others.

He was the creator, with the help of the Ashbrook Center, of four highly regarded websites on the origin of the Constitution and the Constitutional Convention. He served on the National Advisory Council for the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Presidential Learning Center through the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, was a Bill of Rights Institute network scholar, and a senior fellow at the Ashbrook Center. He was a frequent contributor to Law & Liberty and the Liberty Fund.

At Pepperdine, Lloyd created and taught the foundational course Roots of American Order: What is Public Policy? as well as numerous electives. He led the annual Constitution Day lecture given at SPP and the Reagan Library and developed a shortcourse series on capitalism vs. socialism. He has received many teaching, scholarly, and leadership awards including admission to Phi Beta Kappa and the Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence at Pepperdine University.

“Combining a prodigious mind with a heart for students, professor Lloyd taught hundreds of SPP students about the enduring importance of the Constitution and the relevance of America’s founding debates to today’s policy issues,” says Pete Peterson, dean and Braun Family Dean’s Chair of SPP. “While we have lost one of SPP’s ‘founding fathers,’ his legacy as a scholar committed to civil deliberation will live on.”

Students often remember Lloyd by the pocket Constitution he would hand out on the first day of class—a physical reminder of the founding principles of this country—but also the wisdom and knowledge that Lloyd instilled in each one of them. “Gordon was a teacher unlike any of us had ever known,” says alumnus Jason Ross (MPP ’01). “He brought us into a conversation with one another and with the greatest minds in history. He also showed us how to have a conversation—in good faith and good humor, serious but with a spirit of friendship. Gordon never failed to bring out the best in his students and anyone around him. All who had the good fortune to meet him are better for it.”

Born in England, Lloyd spent his childhood in Trinidad and attended McGill University in Quebec where he earned his bachelor of arts in economics and political science. Lloyd gained his US citizenship during the completion of his PhD and a master of arts in government at Claremont Graduate School. He also completed all the course work toward a doctorate in economics at the University of Chicago.

SPP SPANS THE GLOBE WITH AMBASSADOR ROBERT C. O’BRIEN

By Mackenzie Winton

In November of 2022, the School of Public Policy welcomed ambassador Robert C. O’Brien as a speaker in the Augustus and Patricia Tagliaferri Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series. Ambassador O’Brien served as the 27th United States national security advisor from 2019 to 2021. Prior to this position, O’Brien was a senior legal officer for the UN Security Council commission, a US Cultural Property Advisory Committee member, and a legal advisor and arbitrator in dozens of international proceedings.

The event, “Spanning the Globe with Ambassador Robert C. O’Brien,” highlighted the most significant global threats to the United States. The ambassador applauded the Ukrainians on their resilience in deterring Russia and claimed that while Russia is trying to break the will of the Ukrainian people, he does not believe it will succeed. His concluding remarks on the war between Russia and Ukraine left an inspiring vision for the future. O’Brien declared, “Bet on the US, don’t bet on China, don’t bet on Russia, don’t bet on Iran—bet on the US, and our allies and friends around the world, bet on freedom.”

Midway through the event, the discussion transitioned to the implications of China as a growing international influence.

O’Brien painted the picture of Ukraine as an example to China of how a Chinese invasion of Taiwan may unravel. With this in mind, the ambassador advised that democracies around the world to unite to protect their common values and their shared principles

with Taiwan. Fortunately, the war in Ukraine has proven to Russia, and China, that the bonds of NATO have strengthened rather than splintered.

In his closing remarks, Ambassador O’Brien addressed China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the protests in Iran, and the threat of Mexican cartels on the southern border of the US. He expressed hope that Republican majority control of the House of Representatives will lead to a heightened focus on China and spur bipartisan cooperation.

go.pepperdine.edu/spanning-globe

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH INSTITUTIONS

Ronald Reagan Honorary Distinguished Professor Robert George gave the keynote lecture on the intersection of free speech and academia and discussed the false dichotomy between truth and freedom. George stated, “We should honor academic freedom as a great and indispensable value because it serves the values of understanding, knowledge, and truth that are greater still.”

Panel topics included “Media: Problems from the Inside Out,” “Internet: Challenge or Opportunity?,” “Academia: The Root of our Problems?,” and “Concluding Conversation: Building Institutions to Defend Free Speech.”

In the celebratory spirit of the School of Public Policy’s 25th anniversary year, the conference “Free Speech 2022: Challenges and Opportunites Through Institutions” provided space to further explore the anniversary theme taken from the Pepperdine University Affirmation Statement: “that freedom, whether spiritual, intellectual, or economic, is indivisible.”

Consisting of five distinct panel conversations, the conference analyzed the state of our First Amendment right through the lens of two primary institutions, academia and the media.

Included as featured panelists were SPP alumni Kassy Dillon (MPP ’21) and Eli Steele (MPP ’11). Dillon spoke to the political diversity inside the classroom of SPP and its unequaled conviction for freedom of expression. Drawing from his filmmaking experience, Steele shared his personal interactions with big tech platforms, such as Amazon, and their long-reaching impacts on internet liberties.

The conference closed with a conversation between Dean Peterson and Bion Bartning, founder of the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism, discussing how institutions can be strengthened to be defenders of free speech.

go.pepperdine.edu/free-speech-conference

MICHAEL SHIRES COMPLETES TENURE AT PEPPERDINE

James Q. Wilson Visiting Professor and recent vice dean for strategy and online programs and associate professor of public policy Michael Shires has fully transitioned to the University of Austin to serve as the chief of staff and vice president for strategic initiatives.

Shires served Pepperdine School of Public Policy for 23 years, touching the lives of more than one thousand students in his time at Pepperdine and helping build the next great generation of leaders. He has been an inspiration, mentor, and friend to students, staff, and faculty alike.

Shires reflected on his years at SPP, “It has been a privilege to personally be part of the lives of so many students who have gone on to literally redefine the meaning of public policy through their servant leadership. I have loved serving beside so many good friends as we do our part to help our communities address the problems before them.”

Shires has been a fixture in University leadership for SPP, leading three accreditation visits, serving on nearly every University faculty committee, anchoring the master of public policy state and local specialization, designing or adopting nearly 40 courses and key components of the curriculum, and laying the foundation for the school to launch an online program. He will be dearly missed.

Students and alumni who wish to stay connected can reach him at mshires@uaustin.org

DEAN EMERITUS JAMES R. WILBURN RELEASES NEW BOOK: Character and the Future of the American University: A Pathway Forward with James Q. Wilson’s Moral Sense

By Rachel Balko

Pepperdine University Press has published Character and the Future of the American University: A Pathway Forward with James Q. Wilson’s Moral Sense, a collection of essays edited by James R. Wilburn, Dean Emeritus of the Pepperdine School of Public Policy. Written by a selection of prominent political scientists, philosophers, and scholars from prestigious institutions across the country, these essays, many of which have never before been published, discuss the importance and lasting influence of The Moral Sense, the book by renowned political scientist James Q. Wilson, who served as the School of Public Policy’s Ronald Reagan Professor of Public Policy from 1999 until his death in 2012.

Wilson gained international acclaim for his “broken windows” theory for crime reduction—simply stated, the theory proposes that even minor legal infractions contribute to an atmosphere of fear and disorder that leads to more serious crimes— but himself believed The Moral Sense to be the most important of his 14 books,

according to Wilburn. “The Moral Sense is a book that attempts to deal with the reality that humans have a moral sense, and you don’t necessarily need to believe in God,” says Wilburn. “It doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t. It just means that there is evidence in the sciences, not only the social sciences, but the hard sciences, that this human animal has a very important, deep-seated moral sense. So how do we react to that?”

The essays in Wilburn’s book, written by such notable featured contributors as Victor Davis Hanson, Harvey C. Mansfield, John J. DiIulio, Jr., and Robert Kaufman, among others, address the issues of character explored in Wilson’s The Moral Sense in the context of higher education.

“Higher education is really on the ropes and is facing some very difficult years ahead,” says Wilburn. “The early universities were all based on [the idea that] humans are a special animal that has a sense of right and wrong which needs to be fine tuned and made clear, and that’s when it usually happens—during the college years of our lives.”

SPP WELCOMES LENA PACIFICI AS MANAGER OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

The School of Public Policy is delighted to announce the recent hire of Lena Pacifici who serves as manager of marketing and communications. Pacifici contributes vast experience in political and policy communications to the department following her work as field director for a California congressional campaign as well as a program administrator for Colorado policy think tank Centennial Institute, where she managed social media strategy, aided platform marketing efforts, and was key in event coordination including the annual Western Conservative Summit.

Pacifici previously interned for the office of senator Ted Cruz in the US Senate, concentrating on public relations and operations, and for the Daily Wire as an editorial staffer where her writing was frequently published. Graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in politics from Colorado Christian University, Pacifici was foundational in cultivating an environment for policybased dialogue on her college campus through the American Enterprise Institute and Turning Point USA.

Wilburn argues that higher education is facing one of the most critical times in its history, particularly with regard to what the mission and purpose of the university should be, and what its responsibility is to society at large. “One of [higher education’s] major roles is the development of character, and it does it partly to hold a community, a whole country, and eventually, hopefully, the whole world [accountable],” he says. “The university has a responsibility to influence character in an intentional way.” These issues of character are so fundamental to who we are as human beings, believes Wilburn, that “no matter who you are, this is a book you need to read.”

Character and the Future of the American University can be purchased in hardback directly from the Pepperdine University Press and in paperback and e-book formats on Amazon

DAYEA OH JOINS THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY AS ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PUBLIC POLICY

FAITH AND REASON: ARE THEY FRIENDS OR FOES?

On November 17, 2022, the School of Public Policy hosted “Faith and Reason: Are They Friends or Foes?,” a lecture given by Ronald Reagan Honorary Distinguished Professor Robert George. Located on the grounds of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, George based his talk on his book, Conscience and Its Enemies: Confronting the Dogmas of Liberal Secularism, and identified the role of reason in a believing person’s life.

The School of Public Policy is pleased to recognize Dayea Oh as assistant professor of public policy. Oh will begin her tenure-track position with SPP in the fall of 2023. She completed her PhD in public policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School and has a master’s degree in applied economics and management from Cornell University and a BA in mathematical economic analysis from Rice University. Oh has an extensive background in applied microeconomics and conducts research in the fields of labor economics, development economics, and political economics.

“After a comprehensive nationwide search, we’re delighted to welcome Dr. Oh to SPP as our newest tenure-track faculty member,” states dean Pete Peterson. “A terrific scholar of politics and policy, throughout the interview process she made clear her commitments to her faith and to preparing future policy makers. She’ll be a tremendous addition to our faculty.”

Oh commonly studies the causal impacts of desirable social changes and policy designs. Her latest research paper, “When Women Run: Double-Edged Effects of Political Representation,” evaluated records from more than 30 years of congressional races that had female candidates and analyzed the impacts gender had with regard to the opposing candidates’ campaign funding and overall voter outcome. In collaboration with Harvard Business School assistant professor of business administration Reshmaan Hussam, Oh conducted a research participatory program on hand washing among school children in Bangladesh to evaluate the efficacy of behavior change programs.

“I’m excited and honored to start my career as an assistant professor at the School of Public Policy at Pepperdine,” remarks Oh. “From meeting with students, faculties, and the leadership during my visit, I am convinced that Pepperdine University truly is a unique community that is bringing and will bring on waves of change. As part of that community, I look forward to building up future public servants and influencing the broader public policy world at SPP.”

Grounding this information in the philosophical works of Pope John Paul II, Saint Thomas Aquinas, and other key historical thinkers, George argued that logic and knowledge have a rightful place in faith, and further, that faith complements the cultivation of rational thought. “Faith is trusting and believing but not entirely without reason and reasoning,” remarked George. Impacting this concept through topics such as marriage, George assured listeners of the common ground between nonbelievers and believers from the shared human conscience.

George is the McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University and is a visiting professor at Harvard Law School. He has served as chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom and as a presidential appointee to the US Commission on Civil Rights. George has also served on the President’s Council on Bioethics and as a US member of UNESCO’s World Commission on the Ethics of Science and Technology. He was a judicial fellow at the Supreme Court of the United States, where he received the Justice Tom C. Clark Award.

go.pepperdine.edu/faith-and-reason

Pepperdine

University INDUCTED INTO US CYBER COMMAND ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT NETWORK

Pepperdine University recently joined a prestigious list of academic institutions in the US Cyber Command Academic Engagement Network. This partnership gives the School of Public Policy exclusive information and resources from the US Cyber Command to enrich and motivate future leaders in the cyber defense landscape in and outside the classroom. Graduate students will have access to the latest cyberspace research and programs as well as admittance to exclusive lectures and webinars addressing topics of cyberspace strategy, law, research and innovation, and professional opportunities.

“We’re honored to join this respected academic network offering educational opportunities and creating professional pathways for our students seeking careers in the cybersecurity part of national security,” states Dean Peterson. “Technology is fundamentally changing how governments operate, and this new relationship with US Cyber Command builds on our existing membership in the Public Interest Technology-University Network, and our coursework in smart cities.

Directed by Kiron Skinner, Taube Professor of International Relations and Politics, and supported by the Hewlett Foundation Cyber Security Grant, the partnership with the US Cyber Command follows SPP’s growing efforts to introduce first-class cyber security programming such as the 2022–2023 cyber conferences and a new course on cyber security and US foreign policy.

“US Cyber Command enthusiastically welcomes Pepperdine University as a member of its Academic Engagement Network,” says Emily Goldman, cyber strategist, US Cyber Command. “For many years, I worked closely with professor Kiron Skinner on academic engagements for the National Security Agency. This included her visionary National Thought Leaders program. I look forward to working with Professor Skinner again on creative and innovative ways for the Command to partner with Pepperdine University.”

STEVEN HAYWARD RETURNS TO SPP

AS EDWARD L. GAYLORD VISITING PROFESSOR OF PUBLIC POLICY

The School of Public Policy (SPP) is delighted to welcome back Steven Hayward who will serve as the Edward L. Gaylord Visiting Professor of Public Policy. Hayward transitions from his role as resident scholar at the University of California, Berkeley, Institute of Governmental Studies and a fellow of the Law and Policy Program at Berkeley Law. As a valued friend of Pepperdine’s School of Public Policy, Hayward served as SPP’s 2013 spring William E. Simon Distinguished Visiting Professor and then returned as the Ronald Reagan Professor of Public Policy from 2014 to 2016.

“There is no academic program in America the equal of SPP, where the faculty are challenged as much as the students in confronting the difficult policy landscape of our time from a diversity of viewpoints,” states Hayward. “I’m honored to be joining its ranks in this mutual exploration.”

Hayward will lead a four-part lecture series, “The Age of Reagan,” which will be based on his two-volume narrative history of the 40th president and his impact on US politics, The Age of Reagan: The Fall of the Old Liberal Order, 1964–1980, and The Age of Reagan: The Conservative Counter-Revolution, 1980–1989. He will also teach two classes in the upcoming spring semester.

Dean Pete Peterson states, “I’m delighted to welcome Dr. Hayward to Malibu for the 2023–2024 school year. As a graduate program that prepares students to think historically about today’s public policy debates, Steve is one of those unique academics who engages current events through the lenses of history and political philosophy. I know our students will benefit greatly!”

Hayward frequently writes on a wide range of current topics, including environmentalism, law, economics, and public policy for publications including National Review, Reason, the Weekly Standard, the American Spectator, the Claremont Review of Books, and the Policy Review at the Hoover Institution. His newspaper articles have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the Chicago Tribune, among others. He is also the author of Index of Leading Environmental Indicators; the Almanac of Environmental Trends; Mere Environmentalism: A Biblical Perspective on Humans and the Natural World; Churchill on Leadership; Greatness: Reagan, Churchill, and the Making of Extraordinary Leaders; Patriotism Is Not Enough; and M. Stanton Evans: Conservative Wit, Apostle of Freedom.

SPP SOUND BITES

“Now is the time to push your local leaders to develop big, scalable ideas that are going to empower and connect people. It’s time to advocate. It’s time to push our leaders to invest and to build.”

JOSH FRYDAY

California’s Chief Service Officer. Constitution Day 2022: California Conference on Citizenship, September 13, 2022

“The far more important effect of no accountability is that it corrodes the culture of the organization because there is no trust.”

PHILIP K. HOWARD

Author, Not Accountable: Rethinking the Constitutionality of Public Employee Unions and Chair, Common Good. Luncheon with Author Philip Howard, March 23, 2023

“We know that children who are exposed to maltreatment . . . face challenges for the rest of their lives.”

SARAH ANNE FONT

Associate Professor of Sociology and Public Policy at Penn State University. No Way to Treat a Child: A Seminar Series on Foster Care and Youth Services, September 20, 2022

“I believe in the last five to seven years, we’ve become stagnant in aggressive policy development as a free nation. And I believe . . . if the US will have aggressive transformational leadership from the policy space, we can then take that globally and share that with our partners around the world.”

BILL EVANINA

Former Director, National Counterintelligence and Security Center. Connected and Secure in the Indo-Pacific, January 17, 2023

“Having been raised with a Christian perspective and theology we have the ability to see brokenness and not be broken by it. We can see and examine and understand the huge injustices in our world and also know that we are not called to immanentize the eschaton and that we are called to live gracefully with compassion within that broken world.”

GRACE OLMSTEAD

Author, Uprooted: Recovering the Legacy of the Places We’ve Left Behind. The Quest for Community: Realizing the American Project, November 4–5, 2022

PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY

School of Public Policy

24255 Pacific Coast Highway

Malibu, CA 90263-4494

PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY

Pete Peterson (MPP ’07)

Dean Braun Family Dean’s Chair

James R. Wilburn (MBA ’82)

Dean Emeritus

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Ed Feulner

Steve Forbes

Robert Hertzberg

Frederick Ryan

BOARD OF ADVISORS

Joseph Czyzyk

Chair

Viggo Butler (MBA ’80)

Frank Cornell (MBA ’78, EdD ’04)

Doug De Groote

Maureen Grace

Peggy Grande (’89)

Cynthia Guerrero (MPP ’04)

Jay Hoffman

Glen Holden

Colene Johnson (’68)

Jeffrey Jones (MPP ’02)

Jonathan Kemp (’94, MBA ’07)

Cathryn Kingsbury (’97, MPP ’99)

Donald R. Knabe

Jong Lee

Darrell Levonian

Ernest Maldonado ( ’ 76, MP ’80)

Chandra Duistermars

Melton ( ’ 99, JD ’02)

Nicole Neily (MPP ’06)

Gary Oakland

Stephen Olson (MBA ’73)

EDITOR: Lena Pacifici

COPY EDITORS:

Sheryl Covey (MDR ’ 20)

Amanda Pisani

Nishan Partamian

Jason Pates (’95, MPP ’99)

James Piereson

Kasey Pipes

Ronald Plotkin

Gary Polson

Walter Poser

James Puckett (MBA ’12)

Kevin Richardson (JD ’82)

Margaret Sheppard

Eryn Witcher Tillman (’97, MPP ’99)

Keith Tobias

Robert Virtue

Carol Wallace

Charity Wallace (’97)

Michael Y. Warder, Sr.

Lisa Smith Wengler

Barry L. Wolfe

Johnny Zamrzla

JOIN THE SPP COMMUNITY ON PEPPCONNECT.

Pepperdine alumni, faculty, staff, and parents: expand your professional network, advance your goals, and give back through this virtual networking community.

WRITERS:

Rachel Balko, Troy Collazo (MPP ’23), Sheryl Covey (MDR ’20), Lena Pacifici, Pete Peterson (MPP ’07), Jaclyn Ramirez (MBA ’23), MacKenzie Winton

Upcoming Events

For more information and additional events, visit publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/events