May 7, 2025

SMC Public Policy Institute Presents 2025 Spring Symposium May 12-15

“The Imperial Presidency vs the Noble Court: The Arm Wrestling Event of the Century” — a discussion featuring Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law, and Sheila Kuehl, Founder of the SMC Public Policy Institute — will open the Santa Monica College Public Policy Institute’s 14th Annual Spring Symposium on May 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the SMC Student Services Center Orientation Hall (SSC 183) on the SMC Main Campus, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. The symposium runs May 12-15. Details at smc.edu/ppi.
“The Imperial Presidency vs the Noble Court: The Arm Wrestling Event of the Century” — a discussion featuring Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law, and Sheila Kuehl, Founder of the SMC Public Policy Institute — will open the Santa Monica College Public Policy Institute’s 14th Annual Spring Symposium on May 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the SMC Student Services Center Orientation Hall (SSC 183) on the SMC Main Campus, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. The symposium runs May 12-15. Details at smc.edu/ppi.

SMC Public Policy Institute Presents 2025 Spring Symposium May 12-15

Symposium Theme: “Courting Danger: Will America’s Judicial System Uphold the Constitution?”

SANTA MONICA, CA — The Santa Monica College Public Policy Institute (PPI) will present the 2025 PPI Spring Symposium May 12-15. The theme for this year’s community discussion is “Courting Danger: Will America’s Judicial System Uphold the Constitution?”Symposium activities will include a featured conversation between pre-eminent Constitutional expert Erwin Chemerinsky and PPI founder Sheila Kuehl; discussions on the current conflicts and challenges in government; an overview of the SMC Law Pathway program with a panel of current students and alumni in law school and legal careers; and a Town Hall for the community.

All symposium events are free and open to the public. These events will be presented live on the SMC Main Campus at 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. All presentations are subject to change without notice. Free parking is available on the third floor of SMC parking structure 4, accessible through the campus entrance at 17th Street and Pico Blvd.

“This year’s symposium comes at a particularly relevant time,” said PPI co-director and SMC adjunct professor Shari Davis. “We look forward to learning from our speakers about how the Constitution was designed to ensure checks and balances as we see many policy changes being made this year.”

The 2025 PPI Spring Symposium events include:

  • Monday, May 12, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.: “The Imperial Presidency vs the Noble Court: The Arm Wrestling Event of the Century” — Featured speakers: Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law, and Sheila Kuehl, Founder of the SMC Public Policy Institute. Free. SMC Student Services Center Orientation Hall (SSC 183), SMC Main Campus, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica.
    Sheila Kuehl, Founder of the SMC Public Policy Institute — will co-open with Erwin Chemerinsky - the Santa Monica College Public Policy Institute’s 14th Annual Spring Symposium on May 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the SMC Student Services Center.
    Sheila Kuehl, Founder of the SMC Public Policy Institute — will co-open with Erwin Chemerinsky - the Santa Monica College Public Policy Institute’s 14th Annual Spring Symposium on May 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the SMC Student Services Center.
  • Tuesday, May 13, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.: “Unilateral Authority? Examining the Constitutionality of Executive Orders” — Featured speaker: Dr. Richard Amir Tahvildaran-Jesswein, Professor of Political Science at Santa Monica College and Co-Director of the SMCPublic Policy Institute. Free. SMC Student Services Center Orientation Hall (SSC 183), SMC Main Campus, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica.
    A talk on “Unilateral Authority? Examining the Constitutionality of Executive Orders ” by Dr. Richard Amir Tahvildaran-Jesswein, Professor of Political Science at Santa Monica College and Co-Director of the SMC Public Policy Institute will be held May 13 at 5 p.m. in the SMC Student Services Center.
    A talk on “Unilateral Authority? Examining the Constitutionality of Executive Orders ” by Dr. Richard Amir Tahvildaran-Jesswein, Professor of Political Science at Santa Monica College and Co-Director of the SMC Public Policy Institute will be held May 13 at 5 p.m. in the SMC Student Services Center.
  • Wednesday, May 14, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.: “Get to Know SMC’s Law Pathway Program”: The SMC Law Pathway Team will present a panel with SMC alumni and current students pursuing degrees and careers in the legal profession, and showcase how SMC can provide unique opportunities. Free. SMC Student Services Center Orientation Hall (SSC 183), SMC Main Campus, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica.
    The SMC Law Pathway Team will hold a panel discussion with SMC alumni and current students pursuing degrees and careers in the legal profession on Wednesday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the SMC Student Services Center Orientation Hall (SSC 183) on the SMC Main Campus, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Details at smc.edu/ppi.
    The SMC Law Pathway Team will hold a panel discussion with SMC alumni and current students pursuing degrees and careers in the legal profession on Wednesday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the SMC Student Services Center Orientation Hall (SSC 183) on the SMC Main Campus, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Details at smc.edu/ppi.
  • Thursday, May 15, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.: “Town Hall: Power to the People”: The SMC Public Policy Institute will host an in-person Town Hall, moderated by PPI members, for the community to come ask questions, express opinions, share emotions, and develop ideas for action to help protect democracy. See smc.edu/ppi (opens in new window) for up-to-date details. Free. SMC Student Services Center Orientation Hall (SSC 183), SMC Main Campus, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica.
    The SMC Public Policy Institute's 2025 Spring Symposium culminates with an in-person community event — “Town Hall: Power to the People” — on May 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the SMC Student Services Center Orientation Hall (SSC 183) on the SMC Main Campus, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Details at smc.edu/ppi.
    The SMC Public Policy Institute's 2025 Spring Symposium culminates with an in-person community event — “Town Hall: Power to the People” — on May 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the SMC Student Services Center Orientation Hall (SSC 183) on the SMC Main Campus, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Details at smc.edu/ppi.


Accommodation for Disability: Guests who need an accommodation due to a disability to participate in any of these events should send email to dsps@smc.edu (opens in new window) or call 310-434-4173, at least 5 business days in advance.

The SMC Public Policy Institute provides nonpartisan community programs exploring key economic, social, and political issues. The 2025 PPI Spring Symposium marks the 14th anniversary of the popular community discussion. Santa Monica College offers an Associate in Arts Degree and Certificate of Achievement in public policy, and students can specialize in one of five public policy areas: arts and cultural affairs, education, environment and sustainability, public health, and urban/socioeconomic issues.

The SMC Public Policy Institute Spring Symposium is co-sponsored by the Associated Students of Santa Monica College, SMC Associates, and a wide range of education, government, and community organizations and donors.

More information is available at smc.edu/ppi (opens in new window) or by calling 310-434-3541.

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Public PolicySMC Public Policy InstituteSpring Symposium