Jack Markell, former Delaware governor, addressed a full auditorium at Rowan University this week, sharing insights on leadership, public service, and the role that individuals have in shaping their communities.
The event, “A Conversation with Hon. Jack Markell,” was hosted by the Rowan Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship (RIPPAC) on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. in room 221 of the Chamberlain Student Center.
During the event, Markell reflected on his work as governor of Delaware, citing reforms that expanded access to high-quality early childhood education, modernization of mental health laws for minors, and improving healthcare services for low-income families as areas where policy directly enhanced lives.
“You have to focus on making life better one family at a time,” said Markell. “Trying to implement huge policies without that perspective can miss the real impact on people’s lives.”
Through this approach, he explained, it doesn’t just apply to state governance but also guides his work on international crises.
He shared that his experiences overseas reinforced that same principle. In 2021, Markell coordinated the settlement of 75,000 Afghan refugees and encountered families that were fleeing violence and communities assisting them. It was these encounters, he said, that highlighted the human side of public service.
“Seeing people rebuild their lives with the support of local communities reminds me that public service is about human connection, not just policy,” said Markell.
When discussing how public service was more than just policies, he shared the story of a young mother and her daughter escaping the Taliban, using it as an example to illustrate how resilience and civic engagement intersect in practical ways.
Markell also discussed his diplomatic service as U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San Marino, highlighting the challenges of aligning policy goals while maintaining strong bilateral relationships.
“Part of being effective is knowing when to stand firm on principles and when to adapt to local contacts for the greater good,” said Markell.
He also emphasized to students attending that listening, building trust, and balancing principles with local realtors are critical to overall success.
“So many people get into politics because they want to create this huge worldwide change. Like I’m gonna get elected so that I can end world hunger,” said Bobby Powers, a 20-year-old political science and history major. “That’s not really possible, so what he was talking about, taking it one family at a time? That’s the way you actually make a difference.”
Powers wasn’t the only one empowered through Markell’s knowledge and approach to public service. His emphasis on taking tangible steps to improve local communities resonated with audience members of all ages, prompting reflection on personal responsibility and civic engagement. An older couple attending the talk, Harry and Dorothy Winn, were noted by that same personal connection and civic engagement.
“We want to be active,” said Harry Winn. “For our grandchildren, it’s important to show that you can continue to be relevant to political society even when you’re retired.”
They both described volunteering for local campaigns and participating in grassroots advocacy as ways they applied what they learned through leaders like Markell.
Throughout the conversation, Markell reinforced that politics and public service are driven not by ego or partisanship, but by responding to human need, reminding the audience that inaction carries consequences and silence in the face of injustice is as impactful as overt action.
Overall, the discussion underscored the importance of connecting classroom learning with real-world action, reflecting on RIPPAC’s overall mission to train students in applied politics and citizenship. As the evening concluded, conversations and selfies were exchanged. Students expressed interest in continuing civic involvement, while community members considered how lessons from Delaware, Afghanistan, and Italy might apply closer to home.
RIPPAC’s next installment of their Speaker Series will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 7th, hosting former New Jersey senators Jeff Chiesa and George Helmy.
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