Policy and Politics Institute
Empower yourself and get engaged to help shape the policies that govern our community, our state and the nation!
The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Policy and Politics Institute is an unforgettable experience for high school students. During the institute students will learn about American democracy, constitutional rights, international politics, and how elections shape current laws. Students will engage with each other during class, becoming empowered citizens as they discuss and develop a public policy plan. Working collaboratively, they will consider how everyday citizens can make change happen, and practice the art of persuading others.
At a Glance
2025 Dates: Week of June 15 – 20 or week of June 22 – 27
Program Length: Sunday – Friday, overnight
Who Can Apply?: Current 9th – 12th grade students
Tuition: $3,200
*Tuition is subject to change per year
Location: Winston-Salem, NC – Wake Forest University Reynolda Campus
*Courses carry no secondary school or college credit. Upon completion of the program, an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion will be awarded to all Policy and Politics Institute participants.
What You’ll Experience
Topics Covered
- Basic Ideas of Democracy: Liberty, Equality, Justice, and Diversity
- Basic Ideas of International Politics: Nation-States, Sovereignty, and Human Rights
- Political Parties and Polarization
- Organizing to Influence Public Policy
Hands-On Experiences:
- Speak with policy leaders
- Hear from Wake Forest alumni working in the fields of law and government
- Analyze political messaging in the media
- Discuss and debate hot topics in domestic and foreign policy
- Develop a public policy proposal and plan to influence the legislative process
*Hands-on experiences are subject to change.
A Day in the Life
Typical Daily Schedule
- 8:00 – Breakfast
- 9:00 am – Welcome from Dr. Michael Pisapia
- 9:30 am – Discussion: Political Ideologies
- 10:30 am – Guest Speaker: Federal Judge
- 12:00 pm – Lunch
- 1:00 pm – Discussion: Democracy and the Presidential Election
- 2:00 pm – Research – Policy Project
- 3:30 pm – Career Panel: Working in Politics
- 5:00 pm – Debrief for Next Day
- 5:30 pm – Dinner
- 6:30 pm – Evening Activities
- 7:30 pm – Free Time
- 9:00 pm – Prepare for Bed
- 10:30 pm – Lights Out
*The “A Day in the Life” sample schedule is subject to change.
Meet Your Academic Leader
Dr. Michael Callaghan Pisapia
Academic Leader, Policy and Politics Institute
Michael Callaghan Pisapia graduated from Amherst College with a B.A. in Political and Social Thought and the University of Wisconsin, Madison with a Ph.D. in political science. As an Assistant professor at Wake Forest University, Michael taught courses on American democracy and political philosophy. He is a recipient of the American Political Science Association’s William Anderson Award and the Carrie Chapman Catt Prize for scholarship on women and politics. He is a previous Secretary and active member of the North Carolina Political Science Association. He currently teaches Civics, Economics, Philosophy and social science AP courses at The North Carolina Leadership Academy. Michael loves teaching, playing music, community engagement, and above all, good-faith conversations across the political aisle. He lives in Winston-Salem with his wife Page and their five children, Sophia (17), Darian (15), Amalia (13), Elliot (9), and Crozer (7).
