This event, The American Presidency: An Introduction, took place February 19, 2025 at the Dole Institute of Politics.

What does the American presidency look like? In the first program of his series, Dole Fellow Matt Beat will look at how the power of the presidency is limited within the executive branch, specifically highlighting administrations across the nation’s history and the most influential executive departments.

Matt Beat is a former middle and high school educator who taught history and civics across various grade levels. His in-depth lessons inspired him to launch his YouTube channels, Mr. Beat and The Beat Goes On, which have accumulated over 1 million subscribers and nearly 300 million views from around the world. He has also published two books, including The Power of Our Supreme Court, that highlight the powers and dynamics of governmental institutions.

William C. Fox is a writer and founder of the YouTube channel Exploring History with William C. Fox. After receiving his MA in Political Communication from American University, he spent five years writing public diplomacy for the German Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Dr. Emily Haber at the German Embassy in Washington, D.C. In 2023, he worked with the Truman Library Institute to create a video essay for the 75th anniversary of President Truman’s desegregation of the US Military. William is a two-time D.C. Arts and Humanities Fellow, and a proud Washingtonian.