Crowded Debate Stage

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Voters have more than a year before they go to the polls to pick their next president, but the 2020 election process is already underway with ongoing Democratic primary debates that will thin a field of 20 candidates to one nominee. Experts who can analyze debate performance and discuss how candidates can stand out in a crowd include:

Mark Lukasiewicz, dean of the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and a former NBC news executive who has produced live coverage of ten presidential debates. He can discuss the evolution of televised debates, the impact of moderators, and the growing dependence on entertainment elements to draw viewers.

Tomeka Robinson, rhetoric professor and director of Hofstra’s award-winning speech and debate team. She can offer commentary on the candidates’ debate styles and overall performance.

Rosanna Perotti, political science professor, can discuss candidates’ policy stands and the overall race for the White House.

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Mark Lukasiewicz

Dean, The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication

Dean Lukasiewicz is a veteran producer, journalist, and media executive. Before joining Hofstra, he was SVP of specials at NBC News.

news platformsnews industryBroadcast NewsDigital MediaMedia Ethics

Tomeka Robinson

Senior Associate Dean, Professor of Writing Studies and Rhetoric

Dr. Robinson is an expert on effective public debate as well as health communication. She directs Hofstra's award-winning forensics team.

Public/Social AdvocacyRhetoricHealth CommunicationsArgumentation and DebateIntercultural Communication

Rosanna Perotti

Professor of Political Science

Professor Perotti's expertise is in American politics, including Congress, elections and political parties.

American PoliticsCongressMedia and PoliticsAmerican Political PartiesAmerican Elections

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James Sample Authors Guest Essay in The New York Times

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United Press International (UPI wire service) interviewed Meena Bose, Hofstra University professor of political science, executive dean of the Public Policy and Public Service program, the Kalikow Chair in Presidential Studies and director of the Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency, about the death of Senator Lindsey Graham and President Donald Trump‘s choice of the late Senator’s sister Darline Graham Nordone, to succeed him. Until the midterm elections, Nordone will hold that position in an honorary capacity. There are four active vacancies on Capitol Hill with Nordone filling Graham’s seat. “The issue here is really that there have been vacancies and resignations and that the margin is so narrow for party control, particularly in the House of Representatives,” Dr. Bose told UPI. “The number of resignations or decisions not to run for re-election is indicative of questions about why people want to serve in office or indicative of a question of are people hesitant to serve in public office, and if so, why?”

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Poor Air Quality Moves Summer Activities Indoors

Jase Bernhardt, associate professor of geology, environment, and sustainability, was interviewed by WCBS-TV News about the poor air quality across parts of the United States, caused by smoke from Canadian wildfires. These conditions have prompted many summer camps to bring activities indoors. “Children are more vulnerable to low air quality because their lungs are still developing,” said Dr. Bernhardt. “They have to breathe in more air to replenish their body and kids are likely to be more active outside.”