The Future of American Politics: A Discussion with Millennial Mayors

October 4, 2012
9:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. EDT
Location: Healy Hall Riggs Library Map

As the country looks toward the November election and what comes after, many are asking: What is right and wrong with American democracy? How can we improve it? How can young people make a difference?

Mayors Svante Myrick (Ithaca, New York) and Alex Morse (Holyoke, Massachusetts) discussed these important questions from their perspective as two of the youngest elected officials in the United States. Also participating in the discussion were two Millennial Values Fellows: Mohammad Usman (DePauw University) and Rachel Stanley (Elon College). The Berkley Center's Erin Taylor served as the moderator.

The discussion was part of the Millennial Values Symposium that brought student leaders to Washington, D.C. from around the country for a series of conversations about values and the future of American democracy. The day featured discussions with elected officials and media leaders, as well as the launch of the second Millennial Values Survey that explored how 18- to 25-year-olds view values, politics, and the 2012 election.

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Featured Participants

Alex Morse Toggle

About Alex Morse

Alex Morse, mayor of Holyoke, Massachusetts, is the youngest mayor in the city's history and the second youngest in state history. He was sworn into office on January 3, 2012. Morse's main areas of focus for the community are early childhood literacy, building a local economy around art, innovation, and technology, supporting community policing initiatives, and marketing Holyoke as a great place to live and work. Morse graduated from Brown University in 2011 with a degree in Urban Studies. During his time at Brown, he worked as a youth career counselor at CareerPoint in Holyoke, and was mentored by former Providence mayor and current Congressman David Cicilline. He also served on the governor's LGBT commission.

Alex Morse's Profile

Other Participants

Rachel Stanley Toggle

About Rachel Stanley

Originally from Snellville, Georgia, Rachel Stanley graduated from Elon University in North Carolina in 2012, where she majored in international studies with minors in political science, non-violence studies, and French. In 2012 she was a Millennial Values Fellow in conjunction with the Berkley Center's project on young Americans, faith, and values.

Rachel Stanley's Profile

Erin Taylor Toggle

About Erin Taylor

Erin Taylor (MSFS'16) was director of communications at the Berkley Center, a position she held from March 2012 until May 2016, and was special advisor for global engagement at Georgetown from May 2015 to May 2016. As of June 2016 she is the deputy director of communications for humanitarian response with Save the Children. Previously, Erin served as deputy director of communications at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. She has also worked for the British Consulate-General in New York and the German Embassy in Washington. She earned her M.Sc. in Georgetown's School of Foreign Service and her undergraduate degree from the George Washington University; she was an Alexander von Humboldt German Chancellor Scholar in Berlin.

Erin Taylor's Profile

Mohammad Usman Toggle

About Mohammad Usman

Mohammad Usman graduated from DePauw University in 2013, where he majored in urban policy and conflict studies, with a minor in religious studies. In 2012 he was a Millennial Values Fellow in conjunction with the Berkley Center's project on young Americans, faith, and values.

Mohammad Usman's Profile