Pepperdine University Secures $1.4 Million Grant to Launch Exciting Summer Certificate Seminar Program in Public Policy

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Pepperdine University Secures .4 Million Grant to Launch Exciting Summer Certificate Seminar Program in Public Policy

Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy has secured a significant $1.4 million grant from the Department of Education’s American History and Civics-National Activities Grants program. This funding will launch a summer seminar series called Roots of American Order. The aim is to enrich the understanding of American history and civics among undergraduate students and faculty scholars.

Pete Peterson, the dean of the School of Public Policy, expressed his excitement over the grant. He noted that Pepperdine is one of the few graduate policy schools to receive this support. The seminar will welcome hundreds of undergraduates to its Malibu campus, focusing on the principles that shaped American governance.

The program builds on an existing class, “Enduring Legacy of the American Founding.” Students will explore the historical foundations of the U.S. and how these principles apply to modern policymaking. Each summer, 75 to 100 students will join a week of interactive discussions, diving into primary documents that highlight American ideals like self-government and liberty.

The faculty component of the seminar will host 20 to 25 educators in Washington, D.C. Over three days, these scholars will discover innovative teaching methods rooted in America’s founding, linking history with contemporary public policy.

Pepperdine’s School of Public Policy stood out among over 80 institutions awarded grants in this cycle. Abbylin Sellers, the Gaylord Professor of Public Policy, wrote the grant proposal and will oversee the seminar’s execution. She sees this as a chance to share the school’s rich curriculum with a wider audience.

“For over 25 years, we’ve aimed to cultivate future policymakers who grasp the complexities of American liberty and constitutional governance,” Sellers said. “This program will engage talented undergraduates in discussing the voices that shaped our tradition through primary documents.”

Statistics show a growing interest in civics education. A recent survey by the Knight Foundation found that 93% of Americans believe civic engagement is essential for a healthy democracy. Programs like this one at Pepperdine are vital as they encourage young people to engage thoughtfully with political and historical issues.

Applications for the seminar will open on November 3, 2025, and close on March 2, 2026. For more details about the program, check out the Roots of American Order Summer Certificate Seminar webpage.



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