Morehead State Student Gains Hands-On Policy Experience Through Prestigious Summer Institute
A Morehead State University student took her passion for public policy beyond the classroom this summer through a competitive program designed to develop Kentucky's next generation of civic and policy leaders.
Cara Ellis, a political science and public policy major from Pikeville, was selected to participate in the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy's Summer Policy Institute (SPI), an immersive leadership and public policy program hosted at Berea College. Ellis was the only MSU student chosen for this year's institute, where she engaged with policy experts, explored pressing issues facing the Commonwealth, and gained valuable real-world experience in public policy and civic engagement.
Throughout the experience, participants engaged directly with Kentucky policymakers, nonprofit leaders, researchers, and advocates while gaining firsthand insight into how legislation is developed and public policy is implemented. The experience also included visits to the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, where students observed the interim legislative process and how legislators and advocates engage in active policy discussions that shape laws across the Commonwealth.
Ellis said the experience reinforced the connection between the classroom and real-world policymaking.
"SPI allowed me to see everything I've been studying at Morehead State come to life," she said. "My coursework in both the political science and public administration programs gave me the foundation to understand not only how policy is written but also how it evolves through collaboration, research, and public engagement."
Ellis's SPI experience also included visiting the State Capitol in Frankfort during the interim session, which she said was especially impactful.
"Seeing legislators and policy professionals working together firsthand reminded me that effective public policy is built through thoughtful analysis, collaboration, and a commitment to serving communities," she said.
"Our faculty strive to support students in high impact experiential learning opportunities like this and are thrilled that have many of our students have been selected for this opportunity, and others, to work directly with policymakers in Frankfort and from all around the Commonwealth," said Dr. James R. Masterson, chair of the Department of History, Philosophy, Politics, Global & Legal Studes, and director of MSU's Master in Public Policy (MPA) program. "Ms. Ellis represents the best of our students, and I'm confident this experience will positively impact her work in the public policy space."
Kentucky Center for Economic Policy is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research and advocacy organization dedicated to advancing public policies that promote shared prosperity and opportunity across the Commonwealth. Each summer, the organization brings together a competitive cohort of students from colleges and universities throughout Kentucky for SPI. During the four-day training program, participants explore state policymaking through hands-on learning, mentorship from policy professionals, and collaborative policy development. Students from all academic majors are encouraged to apply, and participants are matched with programming and mentors based on their interests and career goals.
Students interested in future opportunities with the Kentucky Policy Summer Policy Institute can visit MSU's Department of History, Philosophy, Politics, Global Studies, and Legal Studies.
To learn more about MSU's Department of History, Philosophy, Politics, Global Studies, and Legal Studies and its programs, email hpgl@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2655.
Photo: Cara Ellis (pictured left) was selected to participate in the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy's Summer Policy Institute (SPI), an immersive leadership and public policy program hosted at Berea College.
