The New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP) celebrated its 25th anniversary on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Faculty, staff, and student ambassadors joined N.H. Governor Kelly Ayotte for a reception marking the occasion.
In her speech, Gov. Kelly Ayotte emphasized the institute’s important role in shaping American politics and strengthening democracy.
“History has been made here. I will not forget being in that room there with the first all-women bipartisan delegation in the nation. There have been many historic moments across both sides of the aisle when both Republicans and Democrats have been here for important moments. So, it’s important that this continues in the next 25 years, and I’m glad that you're taking up the cause of democracy” says Ayotte.
Since its opening in 2001, the NHIOP has hosted high-profile political figures from both sides of the aisle, including former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. The institute also established the Kevin B. Harrington Student Ambassadors Program, giving Saint Anselm College students an opportunity to participate in various events and activities. Furthermore, every four years, the NHIOP is at the center of the N.H. Primary, which gives an opportunity to institute administrators and students to immerse themselves in our current political climate.
“25 years ago, the idea was put forward [by]… a number of other folks who had foresight, and they said, ‘Let's create an entity where people will come together. They'll talk, they'll discuss, they'll shout at each other, but they'll start the process of moving towards compromise,” said former N.H. Senator Judd Gregg. “That's what [the NHIOP] is all about. It's a forum to begin the process of governing, and the reason New Hampshire is governed so well is because of Saint Anselm and other people in this community of New Hampshire who are willing to participate and get involved.”
At the celebration, Neil Levesque, executive director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, shared the importance of the Institute in a time of political divide.
Levesque explains, “we’ve created a nationally known, nonpartisan center for politics. It’s a rare thing in this country, and we’re very proud of it”.
Ultimately, the NHIOP strives to create a welcoming space for students from both political aisles, students and political leaders continue to engage in civil conversations at the institute. Administrators hope it will remain a place where people from across the political spectrum can come together for many years to come.