ENACT at Nebraska Wesleyan University: “Lobbying and Policy Advocacy” (POLSC 2110)
Students Engage with a Unique State Legislature
October 2025
Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) students in Faculty Fellow Zachary Baumann’s ENACT course “Lobbying and Policy Advocacy” (POLSC 2110) are engaging with a distinctive political system: Nebraska is the only state with a unicameral legislature, not a bicameral structure (typically a house of representatives and a senate), and it has the only nonpartisan legislature in the nation. Yet like ENACT students in the other 49 states, students can select issues they are passionate about and work with local policymakers and activists to drive change in the state.
Prof. Baumann’s course, being offered for the first time this fall, fits within NWU’s Archway Curriculum, which requires students to complete at least two experiential learning courses, encouraging them to go beyond campus and classroom walls by engaging with the community and exploring issues firsthand.
“This course is open to students from all majors and aims to equip them with the skills to be effective advocates,” said Baumann, “ as well as the background knowledge needed for active participation in state government.”
“Since NWU is in Lincoln, the state capital, we have access to a diverse range of interest organizations, advocacy groups, policymakers, and individuals, making the ENACT model a perfect fit for this class,” added Baumann, Chair of the NWU Department of Political Science and Coordinator of the school’s Capitol Hill Internship Program. “This course is excellent because it draws students from multiple majors, allowing them to deepen their understanding of this unique system's operation and how to use it effectively.”
Students have enjoyed having the opportunity to choose issues they care about. Because the Nebraska State Legislature is out of session during the fall semester, student groups have time to develop advocacy plans they can implement once state senators return in January.
“The class is designed to prepare students for the upcoming session so they are ready to hit the ground running when the legislature reconvenes,” said Baumann. And the policy process continues….