Molly Wheeler’s time at the University of Utah is an incredible example of academic and extracurricular success. She graduated from the Hinckley Institute in 2014 with a BS in Political Science and Government. Her student career was deeply shaped by her involvement with the Hinckley Institute, where she took full advantage of the academic and experiential opportunities to explore politics and civic engagement. 

Wheeler did what few students are able to achieve and participated in nearly every program the Hinckley Institute offers. She secured an internship with Utah’s Legislature in 2011, and then the following summer, she interned with Business-Industry Political Action Committee (BIPAC) in Washington, DC. She then participated in the global internship program with the British Parliament in 2013. 

In addition to her internships, Wheeler completed the Campaign Management minor, attended the Hinckley Institute’s Forum Series class, participated in the Senator Bennett Seminar Series, attended a national campaign-focused conference at Harvard, and served as co-editor of the Hinckley Journal of Politics.

Reflecting on these experiences, Wheeler says that Hinckley played a critical role in connecting classroom learning with real-world political work. Through her internships and coursework, she developed strong research, writing, and strategic thinking skills while gaining hands-on exposure to policymaking at the state, national, and international levels. Together, these opportunities made her undergraduate experience immersive, applied, and firmly rooted in public service.

Her favorite Hinckley memory comes from her internship with the British Parliament. Living and working abroad, Wheeler navigated a new country and a different governmental system largely on her own, an experience that strengthened her adaptability and deepened her understanding of comparative politics. That internship proved so impactful that it ultimately laid the groundwork for her return to London for graduate school. Wheeler earned her MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2017. 

She then returned to the University of Utah to work as the Managing Director of Community Engagement at the Hinckley Institute where she also taught as an Adjunct Instructor. A full circle moment for Wheeler was teaching the Forum Series course that she had attended as a student almost ten years prior. 

Today, Wheeler is deeply engaged in government and advocacy work. She serves as Deputy Director of the Utah League of Cities and Towns, where she works at the forefront of local government policy and advocacy. Looking back at her time with the Hinckley Institute, she feels the skills she developed in research, communication, and relationship-building along with an understanding of governmental processes translated seamlessly into her current role. The Hinckley Institute taught her how to adapt those skills across levels of government and public service, providing a foundation that continues to shape her career. 

The Hinckley Institute continues to benefit from Wheeler’s public service as she serves in a mentor capacity for many students at the university and on the board of Utah Women Run.