CIVICS CON 2026

APRIL 9-11, 2026

ROSE STATE COLLEGE

REGISTER
AGENDA

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Joe Kennedy III

Founder, Groundwork Project
Former member U.S. Congress (MA-4)

Alan Wiseman, PhD

Professor & Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair, Dept of Political Science, Vanderbilt Univeristy
Co-Director, Center for Effective Lawmaking

AGENDA

Thursday, April 9th

  • Welcome to CIVICS CON 2026!

    Speakers:

    • Emily Stacey, PhD, Rose State College

    • Andy Moore, Let’s Fix This

  • Tribal Perspectives 
    America’s 250th birthday is not only a moment of reflection, but a chance to consider how tribal nations continue to shape the future of democratic governance. This panel brings together scholars and policy experts to examine the current state of tribal–state relations in Oklahoma, recent legal and political developments, and the lived meaning of sovereignty in contemporary governance. Panelists will discuss how law, public rhetoric, and intergovernmental cooperation are shaping the next chapter of federal–tribal relations.

    Speakers:

    • S. Matt DeSpain, PhD, Rose State College

    • Theron Wakinney, Rock the Native Vote

    • Taylor Broadbent, Oklahoma Policy Institute

    Victim Advocacy
    Justice is measured not only by constitutional protections, but by how a society responds to harm, accountability, and the possibility of repair. This panel brings together prosecutors, reform advocates, and victim support leaders to explore how due process, victim advocacy, and criminal justice reform intersect in practice. Panelists will discuss services for survivors, prosecutorial discretion, capital punishment debates, and the broader question of how Oklahoma can pursue accountability while recognizing the human impact of its justice system.

    Speakers:

    • Vicki Behenna, Oklahoma County District Attorney

    • Erin Engelke, ReMerge

    • Demetrius Minor, Conservatives Concerned

    • Kris Steele, TEEM

  • Reflections on America at 250.

    Speaker:

    • Joe Kennedy III, Former Member U.S. Congress (MA-4); Former Special Envoy to Northern Ireland; Founder, Groundwork Project

  • First Amendment
    Free speech is foundational to American democracy, yet its meaning is continually shaped by law, politics, and public culture. Featuring voices from civil rights, journalism, and the judiciary, this panel will examine how the First Amendment operates in practice: in courtrooms, media ecosystems, and the political arena. Panelists will discuss government transparency, judicial independence, campaign influence, and the evolving boundaries of constitutional protection in an increasingly polarized public sphere.

    Speakers:

    • Joey Senat, PhD, Oklahoma State University (retired)

    • Rebecca Barrett, ACLU Oklahoma

    • Remington Naputi, JD, Oklahoma County Assistant District Attorney

    • Keith Eakins, PhD, University of Central Oklahoma (Moderator)

    Media Matters: The Role of Journalists in America
    A functioning democracy depends on journalism that can inform the public and hold institutions accountable. In this panel, reporters from The Journal Record, NonDoc, Oklahoma Watch, and Rebuild Local News will explore how newsroom structures, funding sources, and editorial norms shape coverage in Oklahoma. The conversation will consider the evolving meaning of independence and the role of local journalism in sustaining democratic accountability 250 years into the American experiment.

    Speakers:

    • Andrea Hancock, NonDoc

    • Katrina Crumbacher, Journal Record

    • Paul Monies, Oklahoma Watch

    • Gene Perry, Rebuild Local News

    • Emily Stacey, Rose State College (Moderator)

  • What is a Living Wage?
    For many working Oklahomans, the gap between earning a wage and building a stable life remains painfully real. Featuring a political economist, student workers, and advocates involved in State Question 832, this panel will explore the economic, political, and human dimensions of minimum wage policy in Oklahoma. Panelists will consider both the promises and the challenges of raising the wage floor, including effects on workers, businesses, public assistance systems, and the broader state economy.

    • Travis Roach, PhD, University of Central Oklahoma

    • Kaylee Rains Saucedo, Raise the Wage Oklahoma

    • Scott Winchester, person with lived experience

    • Shanisty Whittington, person with lived experience

    • Andrea Benjamin, PhD, University of Oklahoma (Moderator)

    Christian Nationalism and Political Violence
    This panel examines the relationship between Christian nationalism, group identity, and political violence in the United States. Bringing together perspectives from terrorism studies, political behavior, and the study of religion in social movements, panelists will explore how ideological frameworks shape perceptions of belonging, threat, and legitimacy.

    • David Searcy, PhD, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

    • Stephen Sloan, PhD, University of Oklahoma

    • Allyson Shortle, PhD, University of Oklahoma

    • Aaron Bachhofer, PhD, Rose State College (Moderator)

  • Sponsored by Veterans for All Voters
    Attendees are invited to gather nearby at the new Skydance Brewing location in Midwest City for a networking and social happy hour from 4:00-6:00pm.

    Skydance Brewing MWC
    231 West McArthur Dr.
    Midwest City, OK, 73110

Friday, April 10th

  • How to Use Canvassing to Build Community

    Speakers:

    • Tevin McDaniel, Foundation for Liberating Minds

  • Trustworthy Elections
    Confidence in elections begins long before ballots are cast. Featuring election officials from both the county and state levels, this panel will walk through how Oklahoma’s elections are administered, secured, and certified. This session will discuss procedures, oversight mechanisms, and the communication strategies that support transparency and build public trust in the electoral process.

    Speakers:

    • Misha Mohr, Oklahoma State Election Board

    Civic Education
    Civic education shapes how future voters, leaders, and lawmakers understand their role in democracy. This panel will explore how schools, universities, and civic organizations prepare individuals to participate effectively in the electoral process and public life. Panelists will discuss the relationship between civic knowledge, voter engagement, and institutional trust, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing civic education in a rapidly changing political landscape.

    Speakers:

    • Olivia Antigua, ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge

    • Brandon Edwards, PhD, University of Virginia, S1 Project

    • Lynn Thompson, Oklahoma Academy

    • Emily Stacey, PhD, Rose State College (Moderator)

  • Keynote Speaker:

    • Alan Wiseman, PhD, Co-Director, Center for Effective Lawmaking, Vanderbilt University 

  • Housing Policy 
    Housing policy shapes who can build stability, access opportunities, and fully participate in community life. This panel will examine how state and local housing policies influence affordability, mobility, and long-term economic security in Oklahoma. The conversation will explore structural factors driving housing access—from zoning and development to legislative design—and consider how expanding stable housing supports economic opportunity and community resilience 250 years into the American experiment.

    Speakers:

    • Amy Coldren, Mental Health Association of Oklahoma

    • James Cooper, OKC City Council Ward 2

    • Christina Gregoretti, Citizen advocate 

    • Senator Julia Kirt, SD30

    Beyond Partisanship
    Partisanship shapes not only electoral outcomes, but how Americans perceive institutions, opponents, and one another. This panel brings together a political scientist, a civic dialogue organization, and a political commentator to examine the dynamics of party polarization in contemporary American politics. Panelists will explore how partisan identity influences voting behavior, public trust, media consumption, and the possibilities for cross-partisan engagement in an era of heightened division.

    Speakers:

    • Rep. Andy Fugate, State Representative, HD94

    • Nathan Lee, Civic Pulse

    • Rachel Blum, University of Oklahoma

    • Brett Sharp, PhD, University of Central Oklahoma (Moderator)

  • Signature Collection & the Initiative Petition
    Ballot initiatives begin not at the ballot box, but with signatures. This panel will examine how Oklahoma’s initiative petition process works in practice, drawing on the recent State Question 836 signature collection effort. Panelists will discuss the legal requirements, logistical challenges, and organizational strategies involved in qualifying a measure for the ballot, as well as the broader role of citizen-led initiatives in shaping state policy.

    Speakers:

    • Sarah Blaney, Vote Yes 836 Campaign

    • Caedmon Brooks, Vote Yes 836 Campaign

    • Sacra Nichols, volunteer 

    • Christy Taylor, Indivisible Edmond

    • Andy Moore, Let’s Fix This (Moderator)

    Women in Leadership
    Despite significant progress, gender parity in leadership remains an urgent challenge in politics, business, and civil society. This panel brings together established and emerging women leaders from diverse sectors to discuss the paths, barriers, and strategies that define contemporary leadership. Panelists will share insights on navigating institutional structures, mentoring the next generation, balancing public service with private life, and effectively wielding influence to shape the future of Oklahoma.

    Erika Lucas, VEST 
    Emily Virgin, Attorney
    Sandra Harrison, Board of Medical Licensure
    Kim Conyer, Goodwill Central Oklahoma
    Rachel Holt, United Way 
    Kendra Horn, OKCPS Foundation 
    Amanda Ewing (moderator)

  • Attendees are invited to reconvene in OKC’s funky & exciting Plaza District to do a little voter registration and outreach during the monthly LIVE! on the Plaza event.

    Meet at the Let’s Fix This tent outside Canopy Art Center (1717 NW 16th St., OKC, Ok 73106)

Saturday, April 11th @ 10am - 12pm

Community Canvass in the Gatewood UCD neighborhood.

There is no better way to engage voters than canvassing. As a “capstone” to your CIVICS CON experience, join us for a nonpartisan community canvass experience in the Gatewood neighborhood of Oklahoma City (near the Plaza District). You will receive everything you need - training, script, handouts, app, etc. Participants will be paired up and assigned a “turf” to canvass. And afterwards, a free lunch!

Details will be provided on Friday at CIVICS CON.

Not attending CIVICS CON but still want to do the canvass? RSVP here.

WHAT IS CIVICS CON?

CIVICS CON connects people, politics, and governance. We help voters move from being “politically curious” to active, engaged participants in their communities so that we can thrive together.

We're like Comic Con, but for a different kind of nerd.

SPONSORS

CIVICS CON is made possible by the generous sponsorship of local businesses and organizations who recognize that an informed and engaged electorate promotes growth and success for everyone.

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

HOST ORGANIZATIONS