Hart-Milliken Series Guest Speakers

The Philip A. Hart and William G. Milliken Endowed Speaker Series for Integrity in Politics will encourage a more civil approach to politics, by inviting individuals to speak on campus who have demonstrated a commitment to encouraging positive change in American politics and policy-making. This series will assist Central Michigan University in its efforts to prepare students to be future leaders.

The endowment's advisory board seeks keynote speakers whose work embodies the ideals of leaders like Senator Philip A. Hart and Governor William G. Milliken. The board selects individuals who promote the greater good of the communities and people they serve through a spirit of reason, cooperation and inclusiveness.

Although the series is national in focus, special consideration may be given to speakers with ties or expertise in issues of significance to Michigan and the Midwest.

Events

Long Arm or Strongarm? Executive Power in Foreign Policy and at Home

February 19, 2026
7:00 p.m.
Hybrid event | Livestream in Anspach 155

Kori Schake, Ph.D., Senior Fellow & Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute, presents "Long Arm or Strongarm? Executive Power in Foreign Policy and at Home" in partnership with the Northwestern Michigan College International Affairs Forum and the Central Michigan University Hart-Milliken Speaker Series.

This event will take place at the Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium in Traverse City with a moderated livestream in Anspach 155 on the campus of Central Michigan University. The livestream will be moderated by Central Michigan University faculty member Thomas Greitens, chairperson of the School of Politics, Society, Justice and Public Service.

About the speaker

Kori Schake is a senior fellow and the director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI).

Before joining AEI, Dr. Schake was the deputy director-general of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. She has had a distinguished career in government, working at the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the National Security Council at the White House. She was also senior policy advisor on the 2008 McCain campaign. She has taught at Stanford, West Point, Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, and the University of Maryland.

Schake is the author of five books: The State and the Soldier: a History of Civil-Military Relations in the United States (Polity Books, 2025); America vs the West: Can the Liberal World Order Be Preserved? (Penguin Random House Australia, Lowy Institute, 2018); Safe Passage: The Transition from British to American Hegemony (Harvard University Press, 2017); State of Disrepair: Fixing the Culture and Practices of the State Department (Hoover Institution Press, 2012); and Managing American Hegemony: Essays on Power in a Time of Dominance (Hoover Institution Press, 2009). She is also the coeditor, along with former Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, of Warriors & Citizens: American Views of Our Military (Hoover Institution Press, 2016).

Schake has been widely published in policy journals and the popular press, including in CNN.com, Foreign Affairs, Politico, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. She is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and War on the Rocks.

Schake has a PhD and MA in government and politics from the University of Maryland, as well as an MPM from the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. Her BA in international relations is from Stanford University.

Past speakers

David Hollister and Ray Tadgerson 

October 20, 2016

David Hollister, who served as Lansing's mayor from 1993 to 2003, and Raymond Tadgerson, a professional engineer and former CEO and president of Capital Consultants, discussed how skilled leadership helped convince General Motors to construct two new Lansing manufacturing facilities during a recession. They shared their experiences and perspectives on how similar coalitions can be forged to tackle pressing community problems.

General Colin Powell 

January 24, 2013

General Colin Powell served as the 65th United States Secretary of State under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005 and is a retired four-star general in the United States Army. General Powell discussed how to remain focused, take responsibility and work toward improving processes, organizations and people.

Congressman Bart Stupak

September 26, 2011

Congressman Bart Stupak discussed leadership and integrity in politics. Stupak served as U.S. representative from Michigan's First Congressional District from 1993 to 2011. In 2010 he played an important role in passing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (health care reform act) while also facing death threats and political backlash.

Senator Carl Levin

November 22, 2009

U.S. Senator Carl Levin served as the inaugural speaker for the Philip A. Hart and William G. Milliken Endowed Speaker Series for Integrity in Politics. Former Michigan Governor William G. Milliken and two sons of the late Senator Philip Hart attended the presentation. Levin, who served as a U.S. senator from Michigan from 1979 to 2015, discussed "Keeping an Ethical Course In a Political Storm."