On a recent October evening at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, a historic first unfolded: a student-led mayoral forum that brought together civic leaders, public policy students, and community members under one roof—and one mission.
Organized entirely by the Public Affairs Student Association (PASA), the Minneapolis mayoral forum marked the first time in the School’s history that students had taken the reins to design and execute a political candidate event of this magnitude.
PASA President Natalia Uro-De León (MURP ‘26) told the near-capacity audience that the goal was simple, but ambitious. “To create a space where ideas could be exchanged openly, where we could confront challenges together, and hear from the voices shaping the future of our city.”
“This event truly reflects the collaborative spirit of our institution,” she added. “It echoes the values of our namesake Hubert H. Humphrey: an unwavering commitment to civic engagement, progress through responsive governance, and inclusive engagement.”
Constructive dialogue
That intention was clear from the start. Moderator and PASA Vice President Rachel Beety opened the evening by saying the forum was organized around the principles of constructive dialogue—engaging across differences, listening with respect, and striving to understand all perspectives—which is central to the School’s Constellations of M(pact) initiative.
“The purpose tonight is to give our community the chance to hear from each candidate in their own words, to compare ideas, and to learn how they would approach leadership of our city,” said Beety. “We encourage you to take this opportunity to really listen—not just to the candidate you may already support, but to all of the candidates.”
The five candidates on stage were incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey, State Senator Omar Fateh, housing and community advocate Brenda Short, attorney and entrepreneur Jazz Hampton, and faith and public health leader Dr. DeWayne Davis. Each brought a unique perspective on the future of Minneapolis, and each embraced the opportunity for civil, policy-focused discussion.
Over the course of the evening, the candidates addressed some of the most pressing issues facing the city. Gun violence and public safety took center stage, as candidates shared how they would approach violence prevention and community trust.
Another question explored city planning decisions and their impact on communities, with planning students asking how the candidates would ensure that infrastructure and development policies address—rather than exacerbate—racial and economic disparities.
The questions, chosen from more than 20 that were submitted by students, pushed candidates to explain not just what they would do, but how.
“We wanted this forum to reflect the complexity of the issues we study every day at Humphrey, and our students put together questions that other debates haven’t really addressed,” Uro-De León said.
To build on the spirit of engagement, PASA partnered with a range of community and campus organizations to encourage attendance and participation in a "civic engagement mixer" following the forum. In addition, the African American Leadership Forum (ALF) provided student organizers with important guidance early in the planning process.
Preparation was intense
The forum was the product of months of intensive planning, which began in early summer. Uro-De León, Beety, and PASA board members Will Lucker and Brandon Wagenfeld worked closely with faculty and administrators to refine the structure, gather student-submitted questions, and shape the tone of the evening.
The decision to host a forum—not a debate—was deliberate. So often in debates, the candidates become combative, Uro-De León explained.
“You don’t get very far when you’re focused on criticizing someone rather than focusing on the issues. Constructive dialogue was a good framework” for the candidates to explain their positions more fully, she said.
That commitment to depth and civility paid off. “We expected someone to go off-script or challenge another candidate,” Beety said. “But every single one of them honored the ground rules. There was a real sense of grace and humility in the room.”
Before the event began, candidates were welcomed backstage with handwritten thank-you notes from students, snacks, and a quiet space to prepare. Every detail, down to the timekeeping and question delivery, was managed by student volunteers. And when the original moderator dropped out just days before the event, Beety stepped in without hesitation.
“I got the call from Natalia while watching a Halloween baking show,” she laughed. Beety accepted immediately, but admitted that at the time she didn’t think about the complexity of the job. “But I knew we had prepared well. I trusted our team.”
The result was a seamless, polished, and humanizing experience, for the candidates and the audience.
“Several candidates told us afterward it was one of the most professional forums they’d ever attended,” Uro-De León said. “And for our students to be able to engage directly with candidates—that’s something that hadn’t happened here before.”
A new chapter
The event also resonated deeply with Humphrey School leadership.
“Events like this remind us why the Humphrey School exists,” said Dean Nisha Botchwey, “to create spaces where people can listen across differences, engage with respect, and imagine solutions together. The mayoral forum reflected not only the talent of our students, but also the values that make our School a vital part of Minnesota’s civic life.”
As PASA’s leaders prepare to hand off leadership to a new cohort next spring, Uro-De León and Beety are documenting every step of the process to ensure the forum becomes a lasting tradition.
“This is the start of a new chapter for the Humphrey School and PASA,” Uro-De León said, adding that she hoped the students in attendance left with a “renewed sense of civic empowerment and a reinvigorated drive to move Minneapolis forward.”
