January 20, 2026
From November 12 –14, 2025, the Institute for Democratic Empowerment and Pluralism at Virginia Commonwealth University hosted students from throughout the commonwealth for its 2025 Fall Virginia Government Simulation (VGS).
For three days, undergraduate students from across Virginia participated in drafting and introducing legislation, engaging in committee and floor debates, and electing body leadership. The simulation, which takes place at the Virginia State Capitol and is modeled on actual government processes and procedures, offers students opportunities for in-depth engagement with the functions of the state legislature. According to its organizers, “through hands-on, role-based participation, students develop critical skills in research, public speaking, negotiation, and evidence-based decision-making.”
Hampden-Sydney’s delegation included Alexander Albright ’27, Andrew Betson ’26, Jack Hoyle ’26, Luke Lindquist ’26, Patrick Strubhar ’27, and William Wallis ’27. Alexander served as chair of the judiciary committee, and William was elected minority whip.
“It’s a great experience, and the simulation is a nice way to go about learning how State government works,” says William, who also received the Future Delegate Award. “It’s very realistic, very interactive. We learn about decorum and how to write bills along the drafting rules that the actual delegates use, so it’s a great educational opportunity.”
Hampden-Sydney’s delegation pre-filed three bills, all of which made it beyond the committee stage, and two were ultimately adopted during the session.
“The bills written by our team were intriguing and thoughtful. I was especially proud of our team’s legislation addressing problems such as protections and legal rights of those facing drug charges and the lack of mental health providers in rural Virginia, which passed with bipartisan support,” says Myers Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Government and Foreign Affairs, Celia Carrol Jones, faculty advisor for the contingent.
National studies suggest that youth civic engagement needs improvement through targeted efforts. According to the National Association of State Boards of Education, “fewer than one in four youth felt like they belonged to a group that expressed itself politically.”
The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement found in a 2023 study that, while there exists strong interest among the nation’s youth in political activity, fewer “feel well-qualified to participate in politics.”
Carrol Jones wishes to remedy that with increased education and engagement. “VGS provides lots of benefits. Academically, students gain experience with complex procedural rules and understand how these rules influence policy outcomes,” she says. “Socially, team members come together with students who share their interests in state government not only at Hampden-Sydney, but at colleges and universities throughout the commonwealth.”
The Hampden-Sydney delegation is currently in discussions to establish a permanent on-campus student organization to prepare for future VGS programs.