Former NJ Governor Christine Todd Whitman kicks off fall 2026 RIPPAC speaker series

Former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman spoke before a packed crowd of Rowan students, University employees and community members on September 22 sharing her experience and hopes for the next generation of public servants.

Part of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship (RIPPAC) annual speaker series, Whitman was joined by RIPPAC Director Ben Dworkin, Ph.D., a leading New Jersey political analyst, for an hourlong Q&A-style conversation.

Deeply committed to the environment, Whitman has spent much of her career protecting open spaces and championing common-sense environmental improvements. As New Jersey’s 50th governor—the first woman governor of the State, from 1994 to 2001—Whitman preserved a record-setting one million acres of New Jersey land as permanent green space. As the Environmental Protection Agency administrator under President George W. Bush, Whitman pursued policies such as watershed-based water protection and diesel engine sulfur emission reduction. 

Now, Whitman serves as the president of The Whitman Strategy Group, an environmental consulting firm that helps companies find innovative solutions to their sustainability challenges. She’s also the co-founder of the Forward Party, a centrist political movement offering voters alternatives to the traditional Republican and Democratic parties. 

“The Forward Party is different from any normal political party in that we do not have a policy platform. We have a set of principles,” said Whitman. “Candidates uphold the rule of law, respect the constitution, work with anyone to solve problems, create a safe space to discuss the controversial issues, base decisions on fact and data, and work to ensure that anyone who has a legal right to vote gets to vote.”

When Dworkin asked what she considered her greatest accomplishment as governor, Whitman shared her pride in the 1998 U.S. Supreme Court decision that nearly 90 percent of Ellis Island belongs to New Jersey.

“That's when I think the United States was at its best,” said Whitman. “We were welcoming people from around the world who were fleeing hunger and war or just wanted to make a better life for their citizens. And, while many of them spread across the nation, many of them stayed here in New Jersey. They brought their cultures, they brought their work ethics, they brought their intelligence. It's given us the texture that makes New Jersey such a vibrant place.”

While discussing artificial intelligence, Whitman expressed concern, but also saw a real future.

“We need to harness the good of it because there is so much potential for it and exciting things that can happen in healthcare and so many different things,” said Whitman. “But, what really worries me is that there seems to be no real inclination on the part of anybody in Washington to try to come up with some guardrails.”

To close the event, Dworkin asked what advice Whitman would share with the students and why they should consider a career in public service.

“Because we need you desperately and that's your future,” said Whitman. “If you walk away, who's going to do it? You don't all have to run for office, but at least engage and hold your local officials accountable.”

“Find your passion,” Whitman continued. “What is it that you care about the most? Is it the environment? Is it healthcare? Is it the elderly? Is it open space? Find out where those decisions are being made and follow up. Watch what they're doing. Understand that you can make a difference and that the ability to positively affect people is an enormous responsibility.”

Alexa Smeilus, senior double major in economics and history from Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, had the honor of introducing the former governor. 

“As I prepare for graduation and my pursuit of a position in data analytics, a field that—like politics—is overwhelmingly male, it is truly an honor to introduce a woman who overcame similar obstacles with great success,” said Smeilus.

A two-time recipient of a RIPPAC intern scholarship, Smeilus has attended many of the Institute’s events.

“It is a great way to stay connected,” said Smeilus. “Just being able to interact with and hear from so many different wonderful people with different perspectives and experiences makes me keep coming back to learn more about the people that make up the world.”

The talk was sponsored by RIPPAC, Ric Edelman College of Communication, Humanities & Social Sciences; Center for Interdisciplinary Studies; departments of History, Law & Justice Studies, and Political Science & Economics; Martinson Honors College; American Studies program; and Women & Gender Studies program.

RIPPAC also will host New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport on Oct. 20 and NBC News National Political Correspondent Steve Kornacki on Dec. 3. Both events start at 7 p.m. in Chamberlain Student Center’s Eynon Ballroom and are free and open to the public.