Collin College welcomed Cody Keenan, speechwriter for President Barack Obama, to the McKinney Campus on March 5, where he addressed a crowd of about 200 faculty, staff and students.
Keenan discussed how he followed an interest in political science into volunteer campaign opportunities and ultimately a job in the White House. He also reflected on historic moments he witnessed firsthand as a member of the president’s speechwriting staff.
Keenan is the latest in a series of speakers brought to the campus by the college’s political science faculty. Other notable speakers have included former U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison in 2017 and former Texas State Senator Wendy Davis in 2018.
Prior to Keenan’s presentation, he answered a few questions for Collin College News about how students can get more involved in the world and the political process.
What is the best way someone can make a difference in the world?
“There are a billion answers to that. Speaking purely politically, you don’t have to run for office. You don’t have to work for a campaign. I think the bare minimum is vote, but you can also organize. If you have a passionate idea that you feel like no one is paying attention to or wonder why your elected officials aren’t doing anything about it, the best thing to do is not just to tweet about it, but actually convince other people to join you and show that your idea is the right one. Create a movement. Organize. Run for office yourself. There are a million ways to make a difference in the world. It doesn’t have to be politics, but that is the one that I have chosen.”
Do you believe it is possible for someone who has gone to a community college to make the same impact in the world as someone who has gone to an Ivy League institution?
“Absolutely. I don’t even think you have to go to college, but I do think that community college is the best way to get higher education to as many people as possible. It is the surest way into the middle class.
If you know what you want to do going to college, you should be able to take courses that train you for it. That is what community college is really good at. That, and connecting you with local employers, vaulting you into something bigger than yourself, maybe giving you a new idea that you want to chase down that you didn’t think about before. All good education should make your world a little bit bigger.”
How should students prepare for a more engaged future?
“Read as much as you possibly can. Read widely and stay up to date on the issues. Push back on misinformation, stand up for facts and engage with everyone. Don’t be afraid to debate anyone on anything. Don’t be afraid to jump in. Be active, engaged and bring in other people around you. That is the most important way to change something.”