The Institute of Politics, a non-partisan, extracurricular organization at the University of Chicago, aims to inspire and cultivate the next generation of political and public service leaders. The idea for the Institute of Politics grew out of the lifelong experiences of its founding director, David Axelrod AB ’76, an accomplished political journalist, strategist and policy advisor, and his core belief that participation is essential to a vital, healthy democracy. Inspired by his own work with young people through various political campaigns and by the example of Harvard University’s Institute of Politics, Axelrod sought to establish a non-partisan program in Chicago that would provide students with opportunities to engage directly with the ideas, people and processes that shape politics today. Four core programs form the heart of the Institute: civic engagement opportunities that enable students to experience politics-in-action through political exploration trips, leadership training, service programs and voter engagement projects; visiting fellowships where distinguished political officials, policymakers, journalists, diplomats and others are in residence on campus during an academic quarter; political and public service internships that provide students with paid, substantive career development opportunities; and a continuous series of public events featuring leading political figures sharing their insights on key issues of the day.