Civic Engagement Seminar Series
Hosted by the Center for Excellence in Inclusive Democracy (CEID) at Maricopa Community Colleges
This Civic Engagement Seminar Series brings students together for thoughtful, solution-focused conversations about community, responsibility, and public life.
Through roundtable discussions featuring local leaders, journalists, and community voices, the series explores how civic engagement extends beyond headlines and into everyday action.
Each session offers practical insight into how students can participate meaningfully in the communities where they live, learn, and work.
All students, faculty, staff, friends and family are invited to attend. No registration is required.
March 10 – Phoenix College
4–5 p.m. | Hacienda Room
1202 W. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85013
Virtual Option: Google Meet joining info: Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ggj-arwo-kpt; Or dial: (US) +1 470-485-5541 PIN: 615 273 938#
> Inside the Jury Room: Justice, Duty, and the Power of Ordinary Citizens
What really happens after the courtroom doors close? Join Federal Judge Murray Snow for a fascinating look at one of the most powerful—and least understood—roles in American democracy: the juror. This engaging session pulls back the curtain on jury service, explores why it matters, and reveals how everyday citizens become the guardians of justice. Whether you’ve served, been summoned, or simply wondered, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the civic duty that shapes our legal system.
Moderator: Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, First Amendment Reporter
Panelists:
Judge Murray Snow - In 2002 Judge Murray Snow was named to the Arizona Court of Appeals by Governor Jane D. Hull. While on the Court of Appeals Judge Snow served as the Dean of the Judicial College of Arizona and was the chair of the Arizona Task Force on the Code of Judicial Conduct. In July 2008, President George W. Bush appointed Judge Snow to the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. Judge Snow served as the Chief Judge of that court from 2018 until last year.
Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, Criminal Justice Reporter
April 7 – Scottsdale Community College
4 - 5 p.m. | Indigenous Cultural Center
9000 E Chaparral Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Virtual Option: Google Meet joining info: Video call link: https://meet.google.com/wsm-ptcd-rkv
Or dial: (US) +1 413-384-6773 PIN: 405 503 075#
> The Vote: Then and Now — The Enduring Promise of the Voting Rights Act
The right to vote is the foundation of American democracy — but the story of voting rights in our nation has had many twists and turns. Join Federal Court of Appeals Judge Roopali Desai for a historical exploration of the Nineteenth Amendment, the landmark Voting Rights Act, and the role of everyday citizens in securing the right to vote. Then hear from former Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, who will offer a present-day perspective on election administration, the role of the federal government and the courts in elections, navigating the news about election fraud, and the evolving challenges surrounding voting rights. This timely conversation connects voting past to voting present and offers tools and perspectives for citizens to stay engaged. Moderated by The Arizona Republic, this conversation also explores the role of the news media in informing the public about elections and voting rights—and how citizens can navigate election‑related information in a complex media environment.
Moderator: Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, First Amendment Reporter
Panelists:
Judge Roopali Desai - The Honorable Roopali H. Desai was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit by President Biden in 2022. Before joining the court, Judge Desai was in private practice as a partner in the Phoenix law firm Coppersmith Brockelman, where she specialized in complex civil litigation and political law. She was a leading election lawyer in Arizona and handled numerous trials and appellate matters prior to becoming a judge.
Stephen Richer - Stephen Richer is the former elected Maricopa County Recorder, where his responsibilities included voter registration and mail voting for the county's 4.5 million residents. Stephen received numerous awards and recognitions for his time in office, including: “Defender of Democracy” (Time Magazine, 2024), “Leader of the Year” (Arizona Capitol Times, 2023), “Arizonan of the Year” (The Arizona Republic, 2021), and “Best Republican Politician” (Phoenix New Times, 2021).
Ron Hansen - The Arizona Republic, National Politics Reporter
April 21 – Estrella Mountain Community College
Noon–1 p.m. | CTL-112
3000 North Dysart Road | Avondale, AZ 85392
Virtual Option: Google Meet joining info: Video call link: https://meet.google.com/oiq-ondy-bjx; Or dial: (US) +1 315-646-8300 PIN: 568 324 078#
> Five Freedoms, One Amendment: Understanding the First Amendment
Speech. Religion. Press. Assembly. Petition. The First Amendment protects some of our most cherished freedoms — but what does it actually say? And just as important, what doesn’t it say? Join Judge Jennifer G. Zipps for an illuminating conversation that unpacks the meaning, limits, and real-world implications of the First Amendment. This engaging session will clarify common misconceptions and explore how courts balance individual liberty with public order in a complex and rapidly changing world.
Moderator: The Arizona Republic
Panelists:
Judge Jennifer Zipps - Chief Judge Jennifer Zipps earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the University of Arizona and a J.D. cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center. After clerking for the Honorable William Canby on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, she was an associate at Molloy, Jones and Donahue in Tucson, Arizona, focusing on business litigation and bankruptcy matters. Judge Zipps worked at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for ten years, serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Civil Division, Chief of the Civil Division, and Chief Assistant. Judge Zipps was appointed as a United States Magistrate on April 4, 2005, received her commission as a U.S. District Judge on October 5, 2011, and became Chief Judge on October 21, 2024. She sits in Tucson, Arizona.
Taylor Seely - Taylor Seely covers First Amendment issues for The Arizona Republic. Her work highlights the intersection of government and free speech, religion, the press, assembly and petitioning for redress. Her work has been published in The Arizona Republic and USA TODAY. Seely started at The Republic in 2017. She worked as an audio producer on the paper's award-winning state politics podcast, The Gaggle, and formerly covered Phoenix City Hall.
Bring your curiosity. Leave with ideas—and a new sense of empowerment.
>> Learn more about the Center for Excellence in Inclusive Democracy (CEID) at Maricopa Community Colleges
This Civic Engagement Seminar Series is in partnership with the Arizona Republic/azcentral.
