What Civic Education and Engagement Resources Does the Dole Institute Offer?

The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics offers civic education and engagement resources for students of all ages, their teachers, and community members who want to understand U.S. history and the democratic process. According to the Institute's website, its programs are designed to help people "grow their understanding of our country's history and the democratic process" and to engage with politics and government at all levels. The offerings combine educational programming, public events, and practical tools such as voter registration prompts, all framed as a continuation of Senator Bob Dole's commitment to civic leadership.

Education Programs for Students and Teachers

The Institute describes its Civic Education & Engagement work as serving "students of all ages and their teachers." The stated goal is to build understanding of American history and democratic processes, and to create opportunities to engage with politics and government at the local, state, and national levels. The site frames this as helping participants "become a leader in your community."

If you are a teacher or student looking for programming, the practical starting point is the Civic Engagement & Education section of the website, which sits alongside Events, Museum, Archives, and Dole Legacies in the main navigation.

Voter Registration and #VoteReady

One of the most concrete engagement tools highlighted on the site is the #VoteReady initiative. The site states that "all it takes is a few minutes to get #VoteReady" by checking your voter registration or registering to vote online. It presents this as a first step toward community leadership through participation in the democratic process.

This is a practical, low-commitment entry point: rather than requiring attendance at an event or program, it directs visitors to verify their registration status or register.

Public Events and Discussion Groups

The Institute's calendar is a major part of its engagement work. Upcoming events listed on the site include:

These illustrate the range of formats: lecture-style series, forums on constitutional and legal topics, and discussion groups on current elections. The site also notes that Fall 2026 programming will feature a Dole Fellow and former Archivist of the U.S., Colleen Shogan, along with former FDIC Chair and KU alumna Sheila Bair, and the Bipartisan Policy Center's VP of Energy.

Museum, Exhibitions, and the Kansas Veterans Virtual Memory Wall

Civic education at the Institute also runs through its museum and galleries, which the site says were named by Tripadvisor as one of the top attractions in Lawrence. Featured exhibitions include "Dwell in Possibility: Space Exploration in the Dole Archives," and the museum holds rotating special exhibits, an architectural-scale stained-glass American flag, a September 11 memorial, and permanent displays on Senator Bob Dole's life and legacy.

A distinct engagement project is the Kansas Veterans Virtual Memory Wall, which the Institute describes as continuing Senator Dole's commitment to honoring Kansas veterans past and present. Guests can explore a permanent installation and an expanded online database of thousands of veterans who served in World War II and later conflicts. The site invites the public to submit a veteran profile and explore the full database — a way for community members to contribute to a historical record rather than only consume it.

How This Connects to Bob Dole's Legacy

The Institute ties its civic mission directly to Senator Dole's own words, quoting him: "For greatness lies not in what office you hold, but in how honest you are, in how you face adversity, and in your willingness to stand fast in hard places." The education and engagement programs — from student programming to voter registration to veteran storytelling — are presented as an extension of that emphasis on honesty, resilience, and public service.

Where to Start

• To register or check voter status: use the #VoteReady prompt on the homepage.
• To attend programming: browse Upcoming Events and the Featured Events calendar.
• To learn as a student or teacher: go to the Civic Engagement & Education section.
• To visit or contribute: see Museum & Galleries, and submit a veteran profile for the Kansas Veterans Virtual Memory Wall.

The site does not state admission prices, membership requirements, or registration deadlines for these programs, so check the individual event or section pages for current details before planning a visit or participation.