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Gen Y Overcoming High Expectations at Ballot Box

October 24, 2012 by

Dr. Krista Jenkins, Associate Professor and Executive Director of PublicMind, Fairleigh Dickinson University

Krista Jenkins is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Executive Director of PublicMind at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ. She has authored articles on gender and politics and is co-author of A New Engagement? Political Participation, Civic Life, and the Changing American Citizen. Her new book, Mothers, Daughters, and Political Socialization: Two Generations at an American Women’s College, will be released next year. A native of Southern California, Professor Jenkins graduated from UCLA and received her doctorate from Rutgers.

Unlike 2008, this year we haven’t heard the same rumblings of a potential “youth quake” that will help carry young voters’ favorite candidates into office. Will Gen Y turn out on Nov. 6, or will they watch from the sidelines as older generations determine the future of issues like the economy, education, and health care? Krista joins Keeping Up with Gen Y to discuss the importance of young voters not becoming cynical despite campaign rhetoric that reinforces high expectations in contrast to realistic policy implementation. She also offers tips for first-time voters, and those needing a refresher, on how best to prepare to cast their ballot on Nov. 6.

 

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About Tamara Bell

Tamara Bell is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Y Gen Out Loud, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that provides a platform for Generation Yto discuss national politics and public policy issues.

Tamara began her journalism career as a staff reporter for the Dallas Times Herald. A few years later, she moved to York, Pa., as a political reporter for the York Dispatch, covering local, state, and national government as well as writing investigative stories for the mid-sized daily newspaper.

A Texas girl at heart, Tamara returned to Dallas a year later to work as press relations director for the re-election campaign of U.S. Rep. John Bryant. The next year, she moved to Austin and the Texas Legislature, where she stayed for 15 years. While at the Legislature, Tamara worked for Democratic House members as Chief-of-Staff and Press Secretary, and as a Senior Policy Analyst for the Senate State Affairs Committee chaired by a Republicansenator.

In 1996, Tamara became co-owner of a political newsletter covering state issues and elections. As Editor-in-Chief, Tamara helped shape the weekly publication into a must-read for state officials, legislative aides, and lobbyists. More recently, Tamara wrote a regular column analyzing coverage by the Texas Capitol Press Corps for an online political publication. She also works as a lecturer in the Advertising Department at The University of Texasat Austin.

Tamara has also been a judge for the 2010 Bright Ideas Award given by the Texas Daily Newspaper Association, served as a panelist at the Society of Professional Journalists 2010 Region 8 Conference where the theme was How to Save Journalism, and has been a guest lecture for the Advertising Department’s Internship course, speaking about the jobs outlook for graduating seniors.

Tamara earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin, and her B.A. in Journalism from Texas A&M University. She resides in Austin with her son, Jackson.

Tamara Bell is also the Host of Keeping Up with Gen Y on WomensRadio. Keeping Up with Gen Y offers discussions, interviews, and commentary about important issues of the day from the perspective of Generation Y (18-to 30-years-old). Aimed at all generations interested in learning about and inspiring young people, this show features professionals, experts, researchers, and members of Gen Y who share insights and experiences about the topics on the minds of today’s young adults.