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Former VP Mike Pence to teach politics at George Mason University in the Spring

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 1:42 GMT by wjla
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Mike Pence Visits George Mason University to Debate Trump‑era Policies and the Future of Campus Education

On Thursday, former Vice‑President Mike Pence took the stage at George Mason University’s School of Public Policy for a “public policy seminar” that drew an audience of students, faculty, and GOP leaders from across the Washington, D.C. area. The event, billed as an “open forum on the state of American governance,” turned into a spirited conversation about the legacy of Donald Trump, crisis management, negotiation strategies in the political arena, and the role of higher education in shaping tomorrow’s leaders.

A Big‑Name Guest in a Mid‑Atlantic Setting

Pence’s appearance was the most high‑profile public engagement by the former VP in several months. He was accompanied by a small panel of professors from Mason’s Political Science Department, a former adviser to President Trump, and a senior Republican state legislator from Virginia. According to the university’s event page, the goal was to “encourage dialogue about policy priorities and the ways in which higher‑education institutions can prepare students for public service.”

In his opening remarks, Pence reminded the audience that the nation’s “greatest challenges” — from economic policy to national security — had been thrust onto the “political stage” in the last decade. He praised Trump’s “commitment to America first” and singled out the president’s efforts to strengthen trade agreements and streamline federal regulations as hallmarks of the administration’s economic policy. He also highlighted the executive’s handling of the COVID‑19 pandemic as “an example of decisive crisis management.”

Academic Perspectives on Crisis Management

The panel’s first question steered the conversation toward crisis management and negotiation. Professor Emily R. Jones, a specialist in public policy and negotiation at Mason, questioned the extent to which the Trump administration’s “aggressive” rhetoric actually improved outcomes in foreign policy. She cited the 2019 U.S.–China trade war and the 2021 U.S.–Russia summit as cases where “the language of brinkmanship” complicated diplomatic progress.

Pence responded by emphasizing the importance of “clear, strong leadership” in crisis scenarios. He argued that the administration’s willingness to “hold the line” on key issues, such as the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, exemplified a willingness to “put American interests first.” Jones countered that such moves, she said, risked long‑term diplomatic fallout and “undermined trust” among international partners.

The debate sharpened on the question of negotiation tactics within the GOP. Pence argued that the party’s “negotiation ethos” — built on a willingness to compromise in exchange for policy concessions — had been eroded by Trump’s “tactical inflexibility.” Meanwhile, a former Trump adviser, James O’Connor, emphasized the value of “sticking to the core principles” when bargaining with other political actors. “You can’t win the war by conceding on your fundamentals,” O’Connor told the crowd.

Campus Learning and Student Education

A major theme of the seminar was how higher education can prepare students for public service, particularly in a polarized political climate. Professor Jones argued that current curricula in public policy and political science were “lacking practical tools for negotiation and crisis management.” She suggested a new interdisciplinary course that would combine classroom instruction with “real‑world simulations,” drawing on the university’s existing partnership with the Department of Homeland Security for cyber‑security training.

Pence was quick to support this vision. He spoke about the importance of “practical, experiential learning” and pledged that his organization would “create internship opportunities” for Mason students in government agencies. The audience responded with applause, noting that such initiatives could help bridge the gap between academic theory and real‑world policy implementation.

The conversation also turned to the current state of campus learning amid ongoing pandemic concerns. Pence noted that the university’s shift to hybrid learning had “demonstrated resilience.” Professor Jones, however, cautioned that “online platforms cannot replace the depth of engagement that in‑person seminars provide.” She urged the administration to prioritize student‑centered learning and “invest in technologies that support both modalities.”

Links to Wider Policy Discussions

The event was part of a series of public seminars that the University has hosted, including a recent lecture on “America’s Political Landscape Under Trump” featuring former Cabinet members and policy analysts. In an article linked from the event’s press release, the university highlighted how these seminars serve as a “public platform for policy debate.” The same article referenced a recent Washington Post piece that examined the intersection of higher education and politics, arguing that universities “must remain neutral yet engaged in civic discourse.”

An additional resource linked from the event’s page was a policy brief from the Center for American Progress, which critiques Trump’s “America first” agenda as undermining global cooperation. The brief’s data were cited during the debate, particularly when Professor Jones discussed the long‑term economic impacts of the administration’s trade policies.

The Take‑Away: A Complex Conversation

Mike Pence’s appearance at George Mason University sparked an intense, multi‑layered dialogue about Trump‑era policies, crisis management, negotiation tactics, and the role of universities in preparing the next generation of policymakers. While Pence defended the administration’s “strong‑man” approach to governance, academic voices challenged the efficacy and long‑term consequences of such strategies.

The seminar illustrated how public policy discussions can bridge the gap between political leaders, scholars, and students, fostering a richer understanding of America’s current challenges and the skills required to address them. As the country continues to grapple with both domestic and international crises, such conversations may become increasingly vital to the health of its democracy.