This fall, students at Nebraska Wesleyan University enrolled in Lobbying and Policy Advocacy are engaging with a distinctive political system: Nebraska is the only state with a unicameral legislature, rather than the more typical bicameral structure of a house of representatives and a senate, and it has the only nonpartisan legislature in the nation.
The course is part of the ENACT (Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation) program, which is designed to teach students how to participate in the legislative and political advocacy process at the state level through both coursework and hands-on experience.
Like students enrolled in ENACT courses in other states, NWU students select issues they are passionate about and work with local policymakers and activists to drive change in their state.
The course, taught by Zachary Baumann, an associate professor at NWU and an ENACT faculty fellow, is being offered for the first time this fall. It fits within NWU’s Archway Curriculum, which encourages students to go beyond campus, engage with the community and explore 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 capitol, 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. “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 appreciated 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.
This article appeared in the ENACT: The Abraham Feinberg Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation October 2025 newsletter. Edited and reprinted with permission.