Who or what inspired you to work in public service?
Ever since I was 11/12 years old I wanted to be a teacher, and that’s what I became, and that’s what I do. I have interned during spring/summer of 1982 at the Dutch Department of the Interior, but that’s all. I’ve worked at a public university since 1983. There is nothing specific that inspired me, other than some fabulous teachers in elementary, secondary, and higher education who saw something in me that I did not know was there.
What is something you are excited about right now?
Ha, excited, yes, about our grandchildren, 2.5 years old and 10 months; looking forward to another book and several chapters/articles coming out this year; I am deeply concerned about the vulnerability of democracy, especially about the fact that it apparently only takes one person (with a big following) to undermine and hollow out democracy
What is your favorite class you ever taught or took, and why?
My favorite class is the introduction to PA for undergraduates, and the same for graduates; have developed a new GE class (Civics, Law, and Policy) together with a colleague from the College of Law; and some years ago I developed and taught a new GE class “History of Government”
What advice can you give to folks beginning careers in public service?
Advice for people in the beginning of their career: listen, be humble
Was there a transformational experience in your life that relates to public service?
Growing up in the Netherlands, I took democracy for granted. Jan.6, 2021, has changed all that, and now I’m even more bent on getting out the message of how important and unusual (in human history) democracy is.
What is your favorite midnight snack?
I do not eat snacks at night
Do you have any pets at home?
One cat
If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see?
No particular historical event I wish to witness; my BA and MA are in history, and I would not want to go back in time
Do you have a favorite podcast, journal, newspaper, or other kind of media?
I watch Nieuws.nu.NL, BBC News, CNN breaking news, read The Atlantic, NYTimes
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Best advice from my grandmother: There are no pockets in your last shirt (which I have come to interpret as: you cannot bring anything with you (no fame, no money, no titles, no nothing) when you pass on.
