Congress to Campus 

Bringing Bipartisanship to your Classroom

Congress to Campus is a flagship program of the Former Members of Congress that brings bipartisan teams of former U.S. Representatives and Senators to colleges and universities across the country. The program gives students a unique opportunity to engage directly with those who have served in Congress, offering candid insights into the inner workings of American democracy.

Through classroom visits, panel discussions, and informal conversations, students explore the realities of policymaking, public service, and bipartisan collaboration. By hearing from Members of different political parties who model respectful dialogue and cooperation, students gain a deeper understanding of how government works—and how they can play a role in strengthening it.

Since its founding, Congress to Campus has reached thousands of students nationwide, inspiring the next generation of leaders to value civic engagement, public service, and constructive dialogue.

School Resources

Thinking about bringing Congress to Campus to your school? Our Host Resources hub provides everything you need to plan a successful visit. Learn about the simple steps to host—from submitting a request to preparing for your former Members' arrival. You'll find helpful planning guides, sample schedules, marketing materials, designed to make the process easy and impactful. Whether it's your first time or you're a returning host, we have everything you need to plan your program from start to finish.

Student Resources

Get ready to make the most of your Congress to Campus experience! This section offers helpful background materials on civic education, the continuity of Congress, and the importance of bipartisanship. Explore how Congress works, why cooperation across differences matters, and how former Members bring valuable insights into today's political landscape. Preparing ahead will help you engage deeply and ask thoughtful questions during your visit.

Former Member Resouces

Preparing for a Congress to Campus visit? This section provides helpful talking points, key messaging guidance, and practical resources to ensure a successful and engaging experience. Whether you’re visiting a college for the first time or returning to the program, review our preparation guides to make the most of your upcoming visit.

  • “For us, civic education and bipartisanship are of utmost importance. Throughout the program, we were particularly drawn to the spirit of bipartisanship that prevailed during discussions and interactions. The ability of our guest speakers to set aside party differences and work collaboratively for the greater good left a lasting impression on our students. The program's emphasis on fostering constructive dialogue, compromise, and finding common ground is refreshing.”

    Heather Bennett Williams, M. Ed. Assistant Director for Leadership & Civic Engagement, Dalton State College

  • "Congress to Campus shows those whom it touches that political rivals can be congenial, agree to disagree in a cordial manner, keep the nation’s interests uppermost in mind, downplay one’s ego, and get excited about public service. Congress to Campus allows for candid perspectives about contemporary politics, it sets a high bar of objectivity that current members of Congress ruefully hope for but can never attain because they are joined at the hip with their party positions/platforms."

    Sudhakar R Jamkhandi, Ph.D., Director, International Initiatives, Professor of English, Bluefield State University

  • “Congress to Campus brought new perspectives to our school. Getting to sit in on discussions between experienced government officials was enlightening to myself and many others in the Political Science Department.”

    Tyler Eld, Student

  • “As a political science major many of my classes would discuss how Congress functioned and at times the barriers to progress yet it was always from an outsider's perspective. Congress to Campus allowed us to ask questions and better understand how Congress and party politics actually work.”

    Kaia Beckerman, Student

Contact FMC

Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Email
AHaas@usafmc.com

Phone
(202) 750-2805