The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) recently hosted its spring Washington Fellows for a new TFAS Civic Leadership Seminar, an interactive educational program for college students to participate in an in-depth exploration of the American Founding.

Fellows discussed an interactive civics seminar reflecting TFAS’s enduring mission of developing courageous young leaders who are equipped to defend and advance the principles of a free society. By connecting constitutional theory to modern practice, the seminar served as a bridge to Washington Fellows’ coursework, offering a thorough examination of the free enterprise system and the economic way of thinking.

In honor of America’s upcoming 250th, spring Washington Fellows engaged in an exclusive full-day discussion and hands-on civic education focused on a central question: What does it mean to be a citizen of a free republic?

Economic Freedom and the Founding

Dr. Anne Bradley, George and Sally Mayer Fellow for Economic Education and TFAS vice president of academic affairs, opened the day with a discussion challenging Fellows to trace the economic ideas embedded in America’s founding documents. Bradley guided students through the relationship between property rights, economic liberty and the Constitution, making the case that the Founders understood free markets as a cornerstone of self-governance. In addition, she explored how Adam Smith’s free market ideas influenced the American founding and rule of law.

The session encouraged students to look beyond modern policy debates and examine the underlying moral framework of a free economy. Bradley emphasized that human flourishing depends on a system that respects individual agency and limits state intervention. Fellows considered how economic incentives shape social cooperation and political stability.

Katelyn Sims ’25, ’26, a Washington Fellow interning at Religious Freedom Institute and student from Howard Payne University, said the seminar offered a complement to classes and discussions, adding an interactive element to help connect students with the concepts explored in the classroom.

“The Civic Leadership Seminar was a phenomenal opportunity to facilitate what students learn in class and through site visits in discussion and group activities,” Sims said. “The round table experience served as an excellent capstone to the semester!”

The Roots of American Constitutional Greatness

Fellows engaged one-on-one with one of the country’s foremost voices on freedom and tradition, TFAS senior scholar Dr. Donald Devine. He delivered a compelling lecture on the American Constitution’s role as a distinctive achievement in the history of liberty and free societies across the world. Drawing on his decades of scholarship, Devine explored how the Founders embedded a uniquely American sense of moral responsibility into a governing framework.

Devine urged the students to view the Constitution as a living document that requires constant revitalization of its values. He highlighted the historical shifts in American governance, including the tension between original constitutional intent and modern bureaucratic expansion. This perspective provided Fellows with a toolkit for analyzing modern legislative disputes.

Sarah Soson ’25, ’26, a Washington Fellow from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and intern at The Federalist Society, said the seminar tied together their understanding of key principles that influenced the American Founding.

“The Civic Leadership Seminar ties together economic and political thought that influenced the Founding, bridging together key concepts from our economics and government classes as well as strengthening students understanding of the Founders vision for our country,” Soson said.

The Civic Leadership Seminar ties together economic and political thought that influenced the Founding, bridging together key concepts from our economics and government classes as well as strengthening students understanding of the Founders vision for our country.” – Sarah Soson ’26

Freedom of Speech and the Founding

TFAS professor and alumnus Paul Glader ’99, ’00, led a dynamic session called Freedom of the Press Takes a Front Row Seat at the Founding that focused on the First Amendment, debating how founding-era principles apply to the pressures free speech faces in the modern moment. Glader is well versed in both the theory and practice of the First Amendment as a former Wall Street Journal staff writer and CNN senior editor as well as a journalism professor at Kings College and Columbia University.

Glader addressed the evolving landscape of digital communication and the challenges social media moderation and censorship generate. He reminded Fellows that a robust marketplace of ideas necessitates the protection of even the most unpopular opinions. Glader traced the vital role of the press during the founding and how the media impacted the American Revolution and how essential it is to maintaining a healthy democracy.

Interactive Civics Seminar

Malhaz Jibladze, an instructor for TFAS’s High School division, Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE), closed the seminar with an interactive civics simulation on presidential decision-making. Fellows applied the founding principles in real time, debated competing values and experienced firsthand the work of self-governance. Since starting with FTE in 2011, Jibladze has led seminars to help students visualize the impact of rules, choices and decision-making on society, which distinguishes these programs from all other economic education initiatives. This executive power simulation titled “Should the President Act Alone?” is part of FTE’s new Civics & Economics in Action program for high school students launching this summer.

Mary Curtis ’26, a Washington Fellow and student from Concordia University Chicago, said the seminar offered a powerful foundation in American documents and the principles essential to the American Experiment.

“The Civic Leadership Seminar was an incredible experience that gave me the tools I needed to accept the challenge of being a good citizen and leader in America,” Curtis said.

Held each spring semester, the TFAS Washington Fellowship features a curated curriculum centered on freedom-based principles and provides valuable internship placements with organizations dedicated to advancing liberty.

Fellows attend a variety of exclusive guest lectures, site briefings and engaging professional development and networking events to further enrich their Washington experience. This intensive program equips future leaders with a deep understanding of the values that underpin American society and empowers them to make a positive impact on their communities. Learn more about the 2026 Washington Fellows.