Delaware Governor Jack Markell visits with Students

The Rockefeller Center welcomed Governor Jack Markell (D-DE) on April 27, 2016 for a coffee hour with a small, bipartisan group of Dartmouth students.

Governor Markell immediately opened up the conversation for students' questions. Discussion points ranged from the 2016 presidential election and party politics to transnational trade and globalization. Much of the conversation focused on economic issues. The governor described how his past career in the private sector, working in high-level positions at Nextel and Comcast, had prepared him for the public sector.

Governor Markell has made great progress with Delaware's economy. He discussed measures put in place to develop the skills of workers through programs such as Coding Academy, CNA and customer service training, and language immersion schools. These programs support Governor Markell's belief that American workers have the advantage of creativity and innovation, but too often lack the technical skills that jobs require.

When asked about the 2016 presidential race, Governor Markell emphasized his endorsement of Hillary Clinton as well as his concerns for what he considers "populist movements" arising in either party.

The conversation also shifted to the story that inspired his interest in public service, as well as advice to the students for becoming a governor. With his tenure up in January of 2017, Governor Markell said that he will be fully focused on his goals for the state until that time and is not making any plans yet for afterwards.

Submitted by Juliet Morales ’18, President of the College Democrats for the Spring 2016 term.