Jessup’s Public Policy Program and Institute
It was in fall of 2006 that Jessup University began offering its public policy major. Located just 18 miles from California’s State Capitol building, it’s no surprise that the growing University would launch and continue to deliver a vibrant program. The public policy department has been overseen for the past four years by Pete Constant who has built a reputation not only for his sharp insights into legislative processes, but also for the remarkable success of his students in gaining entry into the prestigious Capital’s Fellows Program, considered one of the toughest to break into at the State Capitol.
Averaging two students accepted to the program per year, Jessup’s public policy program consistently ranks high when it comes to preparing graduates for the sought-after program. “I tell people that one of our secrets is to teach both soft and hard skills,” Constant said. “We teach students how to interact with people, produce well-written communication and how to think and view issues through various lenses. Students learn to consider what will produce the most good, do the least harm, respect the rights of others, and promote justice; all while acting as the person they want to be in life. Having the ability to think through decisions within these frames helps them choose the best course of action – that’s critical.”
Before moving to Placer County, Constant put down roots in San Jose where he served as city councilmember for eight years, following his service on the city’s police department. He served there for 14 years until a serious on-duty injury forced his early retirement for which he was awarded the Legion of Honor Award by the American Police Hall of Fame.
Making the transition to a university setting has proved beneficial and is easily notable by the way students greet him when he makes his way across campus. “I had no idea that becoming a professor would put me in a role where I spend so much time outside of the classroom with students,” Constant said. “Most of the time I come back from class and students are just hanging out in my office and that allows me to get to know them deeply. I truly enjoy the quality of our students and the people I interact with daily.”
Jessup’s Public Policy Department exists to prepare and train the next generation of leaders for the public sector, offering degrees in political science and criminal justice. Students can earn these degrees with various concentrations, such as politics and government, pre-law, and psychology. These programs offer students an opportunity to engage with a professor-practitioner, along with highly motivated peers, in an environment where critical thinking trumps opinion, discussion is policy-driven and Christ-centered, and respectful dialogue is the norm.
“Some of the issues facing our nation in public safety and criminal justice are symptomatic of a government without moral guidance,” Constant said. “This is a critical time in our nation to develop leaders who are prepared to serve in this capacity and do it with ethics and morality at the forefront. Our country was founded upon these basic core Christian values for a reason.”
Fostering an environment that empowers students to connect with various organizations, the department offers opportunities to further areas of study. Over the years, students have served with such organizations as The Leadership Institute and Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) in addition to internships at the local, state, and national level, DC Summer Scholars program, or the Alexander Hamilton Society’s Student Leadership Conference.
The department is also home to the Institute for Public Policy (IPP) which exists to contribute innovative research to provide solutions for policy makers at the local, state, and national levels. The institute raises awareness of policy issues affecting all Californians and Americans with a perspective informed by Jessup’s vision to redeem world culture by providing notable servant leadership. The IPP creates resources, brings stakeholders together, and provides research-based solutions for policy makers in local and state government.
On campus, the Institute partners with the ISI club to recruit speakers to educate and inform the broader student body. Former speakers include Professor Richard Weikart, who discussed medicine’s descent from healing to killing, and Mark David Hall, who lectured on separating modern myth from historical truth in America’s Christian founding.
The IPP serves as the hub for a number of ongoing initiatives specific to the Institute. One of three IPP research projects currently underway examines the implementation, impact and discussion surrounding the adoption of First Responder Emergency Medical fees by cities across the state, including in Placer County. This research provides a comprehensive overview of how these fees function within the broader context of California emergency services funding. The Institute finds that cities and counties are not statutorily authorized to charge fire department emergency medical first responder fees in California and these fees are, in fact, taxes as defined in Proposition 26 which should have required voter approval prior to implementation.
Another project overseen by the Institute is a survey of systemic electoral data discrepancies in California and the impact on political representation. This study examines deficiencies in California’s electoral data management, focusing on inconsistencies between the Secretary of State and county Registrars of Voters’ political contest lists. These discrepancies cause legal, outreach, and representation issues for candidates and risk voter disenfranchisement. Analyzing data from select election offices, the study identifies systemic errors, particularly in multi-county districts, due to poor standardization and coordination. Such errors, including misclassifications and typos, threaten electoral transparency and democratic representation in California.
Constant and his students are also in the initial stages of research scoping a study to examine what appears to be a high number of injury accidents, rollover accidents, and fatality accidents in the South Placer region. The initial examination of data shows that the City of Roseville’s injury and fatality accident rate is rising at an alarming rate, while rates in surrounding communities remain flat.
Jessup’s public policy program continues to thrive as a hub for innovation, critical thinking and community impact. From analyzing electoral data discrepancies to assessing traffic patterns, students have been deeply engaged in work that bridges theory and practice. Their research not only informs real-world decision-making but also inspires a new generation of policy leaders committed to equity and evidence-based solutions. As the IPP looks ahead, its growing influence signals a promising future not just for the program, but for the broader communities it aims to serve.
