At the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Binyam Dunne ’26 recently had the opportunity to speak on the Senate floor of the Tennessee General Assembly, sharing how civic education programs have shaped his understanding of public service.
Dunne was invited by the Tennessee Center for Civic Engagement after being selected for his leadership and involvement in several of its programs. He currently serves as a Floor Leader in the organization’s Youth in Government program and as Secretary-General at the Model United Nations. He was also chosen as one of Tennessee’s delegates to the 2025 Conference on National Affairs.
During his remarks, Binyam reflected on how his perspective on government has evolved. Through his visit to the state legislature, he gained a deeper understanding of how the legislative process actually works.
His speech centered on the transformative impact Youth in Government has had on his life. The program, he explained, helped him view his personal experiences through a policy lens and sparked a lasting interest in public service. Since joining as a freshman, he said, the experience has shown him how civic engagement can empower young people to contribute to their communities.
