Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL)
Rhodes TISL gives students the ability to learn more about government and law by preparing legal briefs and legislation, running for office, and practicing lobbying and journalism skills. The program culminates in a four-day general assembly in Nashville, Tennessee each fall.
What are the advantages of joining the Rhodes delegation to the Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL)?
Rhodes TISL provides a range of opportunities for students interested in law, politics, journalism, and more to gain leadership and public speaking experience. Rhodes TISL is an excellent way for a student of ANY major to learn more about government and meet students from colleges and universities across the state.
What is the time commitment?
The time commitment for TISL varies depending on the specific program a student chooses. The Appellate Moot Court Collegiate Challenge (AMC3) meets once weekly from September through November. Legislative, Lobbying, and Media are comparatively lighter but require student participants to author at least one piece of legislation for the General Assembly. The leadership of the Rhodes delegation to TISL is always willing to work with students regarding scheduling conflicts and other concerns.
Additionally, because the TISL General Assembly takes place in mid-November, the fall semester is busier than the spring semester. During the spring, elections are held for leadership positions within the Rhodes delegation as well as the opportunity to travel to Nashville for a brief conference where students learn more about TISL.
How can TISL help me after I graduate?
Rhodes TISL alumni pursue a variety of paths post-graduation. Law school, jobs in Washington, D.C., teaching abroad, and graduate school are just a few of the many career paths that recent TISL alumni are involved in. The statewide TISL organization works diligently to maintain a strong alumni network that often proves useful for Rhodes students.
How can I get involved?
To get in touch with the current president of the Rhodes delegation, please visit the Rhodes TISL Presence page
2020
Members:
Pierce Rose, Mary Katherine Brown, Ava Dempsey, Harrison Dircks, Vivian Ehrenreich, Matthew Kenny, Caroline Koch, Connor Lambert, Oliver McIntosh, Lauren Moore, Nikki Pedicord, Maya Ring, Maya Shah
Achievements:
In spite of the unique challenges posed by a virtual General Assembly, the Rhodes delegation to the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature continued its tradition of excellence. The following students were elected for office or recognized as outstanding delegates:
Matthew Kenny – Governor
Maya Ring – Speaker Pro Tempore of the Senate
Harrison Dircks – Speaker Pro Tempore of the House; recipient of Carlisle Award for excellence in debate
Mary Katherine Brown – Supreme Court Justice
In addition to these accomplishments, the Rhodes delegation passed numerous pieces of legislation through the House and Senate and the AMC3 team represented Rhodes with pride.
TISL 2017, 2019
2019
Members:
Vivian Ehrenreich, Khanh Ton, Harrison Evers, Dietwin Smoli, Mary Katherine Brown, Ava Dempsey, Lauren Moore, Shannon Tierney, Maya Ring, Connor Lambert, Pierce Rose, Nicole Pedicord, Rony Ngamliya-Ndam, Caroline Koch, Harley Chapman, Kristen Morris, Morgan Brown, Nikita Smith, Matthey Kenny, Joao Tempellini
2017
Members:
Ben Rosenberg, Faith Udobong, Alex Woronxoff, Anne Healy, Aurora Blumberg, Caroline Koch, Grace Wimbish, Harley Chapman, Issac Swafford, Joao Tampellini, Kristen Morris, Maddie Dean, Oliver Mcintosh, Sara Taylor, Sara Weeks, Shannon Tierney, Zaya Krosbayar
Achievements:
The Rhodes College Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL) team had a phenomenal 48th TISL General Assembly. The team participated in legislation, media, lobbying, and the Appellate Moot Court Collegiate Challenge, with great success. Our lobbying team was able to push many bills, including the infamous chicken bill, which essentially raises the number of chickens Tennessee residents are allowed to have in their backyard. This bill remained unpassable for some years, a joke, until our very own Ben Rosenberg was able to get the bill through senate. This was just one of the many bills our students were able to pass, making this year extremely successful, and securing our place as one of the most dominant teams at TISL.
TISL 2015-2016
2016
Members:
Madelyn Bryant, Jolie Grace Wareham, Ben Rosenberg, Ben Tracy, Anne Healy, Faith Udobong, Emily Hanson, Alexis Moore, Hope Johnson, Sara Weeks, Russell Sands, Jenny Schneider, Veronica Francis, Aurora Blumberg, Rebekah Birch, Kenny Birch
Achievements:
Rhodes College had a great performance at the state-wide TISL conference this year. Every part of our team (AMC3, legislature, lobbying, and media) had outstanding achievements and represented our school with the diligence we deserve. Our lobbying team was successfully able to push multiple bills for their firms, and our lobbying director and graduating president of TISL, Emily Hanson, had her bill receive the title of priority legislation. This means her bill, which creates a tax credit for businesses that give paternal leave to their employees, will be reviewed by the governor of Tennessee. Our legislative team produced many well-written and insightful bills that were well received by other TISL members. Our rising president, Ben Rosenberg who was a Senator for our school, received the Carlisle Award for his performance this year. Additionally our very own Faith Udobong, who was a House representative for Rhodes, was elected to be the House Speaker pro-tempore. We are also ecstatic to announce that Rhodes’s very own Anne Healy was elected to be Secretary of State. Rhodes undoubtedly took on more leadership positions this year in TISL, and we are incredibly proud of Faith and Anne’s willingness to take on such a large commitment. By the end of the conference, Rhodes was awarded Best Delegation in West Tennessee, continuing our legacy of one of the most dominate teams at TISL.
2015
Members:
Madalyn Bryant, Bailey Choudhury, Abby Ellingwood, Veronica Francis, Emily Hanson, Anne Healy, Doria Jackson, Hope Johnson, Janina Luipers, Emily Mitchell, Alexis Moore, Emily Perry, Ben Rosenberg, Megan Singer, Harper Stiles, Ben Tracy, Jolie-Grace Wareham, Tiana Winstead, Akvile Zakarauskaite
Achievements:
The Rhodes College Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL) team had a phenomenal 46th TISL General Assembly, held Nov. 12-15 in Nashville. The team participated in legislation, media, lobbying, and the Appellate Moot Court Collegiate Challenge. In addition to receiving awards in legislature several students ran for elected positions. This year’s delegation had many first time ‘TISLers’ and continues to look forward to the personal and professional growth both of new and old members!
TISL 2013-2014
2014
Members:
Emily Rose Mitchell, Sumner Magruder, Megan Singer, Akvile Zakarauskaite, Christian Baum, Paul Brandt, Tiana Winstead, Aislinn O’Leary, Hannah Strong, Bailey Kimmitt, Brendan Tyler, Jess Wilder, Elliot Young, Bryan Peterson, James Ekenstedt, Caroline Ponseti, Chandler Schneider, Alexis Moore, Jake Helt, Jolie Grace Wareham, Maddie McGrady, Andrew Mowrey, Eilidh Jenness, Roz KennyBirch, Lena Seiferling, Emily Hanson. Advisor: Steve Wirls.
Achievements:
The Rhodes College TISL team won nine awards including Best Delegation at the 45th TISL General Assembly held Nov. 13-16 in Nashville. This is the third year in a row that the team has earned the Best Delegation title. In addition to receiving awards in media, legislature, lobbying, and the Appellate Moot Court Collegiate Challenge, the AMC3 team made it to finals.
2013
Members:
Maddie McGrady, Megan SInger, Akvile Zakarauskaite, Aislinn O'Leary, Jolie-Grace Wareham, Betsy Swann, Kelly Johnson, Caroline Ponseti, Caroline Reed, Ali Swee, Justice Thompson, Rochelle Gillenson, Hannah Strong, Brendan Tyler, Chandler Schneider, Bailey Kimmitt, Sumner Magruder, David Klemperer, Elliot Young, Chip Slawson.
Achievements:
Rhodes captured the "Best Delegation" title and several individual awards at the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature's (TISL) 44th General Assembly held in Nashville Nov. 16-17.
TISL 2011-2012
2012
Members:
Betsy Swann, Kelly Johnson, James Ekenstedt, Caroline Ponseti, Hannah Strong, Justice Thompson, Brendan Tyler, Jess Wilder, Rachel Harris, Ali Swee, Caroline Reed, Akvile Zakarauskaite, Claire Hautot, Chandler Schneider, David Klemperer, Elliot Young.
Achievemnets:
After a successful weekend filled with numerous awards, the Rhodes Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL) team delegation returned home with the coveted title of "Best Delegation" and several individual awards. The team competed in downtown Nashville over the weekend of Nov. 15-18.
2011
Members:
Betsy Swann, Kelly Johnson, Landon Webber, James Ekenstedt, Caroline Ponseti, Hannah Strong, Justice Thompson, Tyler Adams, Corey Lipschutz, Brendan Tyler, Jess Wilder.
Achievements:
On Nov. 17 the newly formed Rhodes chapter of the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL) headed to Nashville to participate in its first TISL General Assembly and moot court competition. The team's accomplishments are especially impressive considering that the team was made up entirely of sophomores and first-year students. In competition with eight other delegations Rhodes won the Best New Delegation Award.
“The Rhodes community should be proud of this group of students,” said Professor Stephen Wirls, the team’s advisor. “Our small delegation had a very big presence in every aspect of the program. I received many compliments from other advisors and was perfectly happy to take no credit for the team’s accomplishments and comportment. Instead, I was very proud to be associated with them.”