Alexander Heffner

Heffner mobilized a campus of first-time voters to engage in the electoral process. He is a public communicator of conscience in a world that is desperately searching for one.
Franklin Pierce University

Heffner has a gift for energizing, engaging, and inspiring young audiences. He challenged our students to think about the social and political landscape in a new way.
Drake University

Heffner's visit was a tremendous success. The Department of English expresses gratitude for what was a very informative talk. We've been taking up pieces of it with classes.
University of British Columbia

As our Restoring Respect Keynote, Heffner not only informed our audience but provided a pathway to improve America. Heffner is a tremendously motivating speaker and was ranked among our best.
University of San Diego

When Heffner spoke with students, the conversations had all the hallmarks of his PBS series: Original, in-depth, and unbiased discussions about media and public affairs.
Stanford University

Heffner is a totally engaging, whip-smart and approachable proponent for the country's young people. When he spoke to my class, my students perked up immediately. He is a devoted advocate for civic engagement.
University of Nebraska

I just wanted to thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to work with my students over the last couple of days. They had a terrific time and your knowledge, experience, and demeanor made today a relatively stress free experience for my students. Thank you for your work and dedication to journalism and for inspiring my students to ask questions and make informed decisions. You've really made a difference today it was an experience that they will remember for years to come. What a great day!
Souhegan High School

Alexander Heffner spoke at Taft last year as the Paley (CBS News) endowed speaker. He was well received by students and faculty alike. He was organized, articulate and a captivating speaker. As an Andover graduate he instinctually knew how to connect with a challenging group of highly motivated, intelligent and somewhat critical/judgmental boarding school students with humor and lighthearted comments at appropriate times in his talk. We had a spirited Q & A session following Alex's presentation in the Faculty Room that attracted many classes and faculty members. (Classes and faculty members only attend Q & A by choice. They are often too busy teaching their AP courses. However, Alex drew a large number of people to his Q & A session.) A second Q & A session continued around the lunch table where Alex proved himself to be thoughtful, approachable and empathetic giving each student the individual attention they needed. Several of the books he brought with him were purchased by enthusiastic students and some teachers in the history department bought copies for further use in future courses.
Taft School

Alexander gave an outstanding and eloquent presentation at Rysensteen high school in Copenhagen, Denmark, which the students enjoyed immensely.
Rysensteen High School

Alexander Heffner joined us for the day after the 2016 election; through his considerable expertise in the field of national and local politics as well as print and social media coverage of politics, Alexander worked with our upper school students to process the elections results in a fair, balanced, and informative manner. He visited with us again (and again, in the upper grades) to talk about the impact of unregulated social media on the local and national political landscape. Alexander is extremely knowledgeable, engages well with a student audience, and conveys in a measured but meaningful way his passion for civil discourse and genuine, open debate. I am sure he would be open to framing his remarks and work with students in a manner consistent with your goals for the event.
The Hewitt School

We brought Alexander Heffner to campus to speak with both parents and students. He is extremely effective in smaller group settings, but he can certainly address a larger crowd and command attention. He is a bright and engaging speaker whose background and experience with The Open Mind provide him with a unique perspective on civil society, political discourse, etc. in the midst of an increasingly polarized landscape.
Shady Side Academy

Thank you so much for your talk today at MUS. It was well timed and exactly what our boys needed to hear. I hope they absorbed it. I appreciate your fight for common sense. Keep up the good work.
Memphis University School

Well done. Exceptionally thoughtful and articulate.
Memphis University School