The 2020 election presented unprecedented challenges for state and local election officials around the country. Not only did the election take place amidst a global pandemic, numerous officials—most notably President Trump—cast doubts on the legitimacy and security of mail-in ballots. Despite these challenges, U.S. government and academic observers concluded that the election functioned smoothly and effectively.

Please join Fels for a virtual conversation with Paul Monteiro.

Paul Monteiro is the Chief of Staff and Assistant Vice President of External Affairs at Howard University. His first federal experience was in 1999 as a Marshal's Aide at the United States Supreme Court before briefly serving in the office of White House Counsel Harriet Miers. In 2006, Monteiro served in the Washington, D.C. office of Senator Barack Obama then transitioned to his presidential campaign headquarters in Chicago the following year. 

Please join Fels for a virtual conversation with Councilmember Cherelle L. Parker.

Councilwoman Cherelle L. Parker (MPA ‘16) proudly serves the Ninth Council District in Philadelphia, which stretches through northwest and northeast communities, including East Mt. Airy, West Oak Lane, East Oak Lane, Olney, Lawncrest, Lawndale, Burholme and Oxford Circle.

Please join Fels for a virtual conversation with Karen Richardson.

Please join Fels for a virtual conversation with Councilmember Maria D. Quiñones Sánchez.

Councilmember Maria D. Quiñones Sánchez is a veteran activist with over 30 years of service to the City of Philadelphia, now serving her fourth four-year term representing the 7th District. She chairs Council’s Committees on Appropriations and Education and co-chairs Council’s Special Committee on Poverty Reduction & Prevention.

Please join Fels for a virtual conversation with David Gergen.

Fels is co-sponsoring a presentation and Q&A with Craig Snyder in conjunction with the Annenberg School for Communication and the World Affairs Council. Please join us as Snyder explores the cumulative effects on the American political system and on American society more broadly. With the opportunity for questions and interaction beyond the formal presentation, Snyder wants to engage the audience in a dialogue about improving the way Americans communicate about politics.

Visit the Annenberg School for Communication website for more details about the event.

Please join Fels for a virtual conversation with Susan K. Urahn, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Please join Fels for a virtual conversation with Martin “Marty” Baron.

One of the most widely respected editors in journalism, Martin “Marty” Baron is the former executive editor of The Washington Post. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Baron has also led such esteemed newspapers as The Miami Herald and The Boston Globe, and worked in leadership posts at The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.

Please join Fels for a virtual conversation with Philadelphia City Councilmember Derek Green.

In 2015, Councilmember Derek S. Green, Esquire won the Democratic primary for City Council At-Large in Philadelphia by receiving the highest number of votes cast in the election, and, later that year, he was elected as a member of the City Council of Philadelphia. In 2019, he was elected to another term.