On Feb. 19, former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Michael Dukakis spoke with several hundred California State University, Northridge students, staff and community members in a far-reaching conversation about the 2012 presidential election and its impact on today’s political climate. Hosted by the CSUN Department of Political Science, the event provided an opportunity for Dukakis to discuss a number of issues, including campaign strategies, demographic shifts, health care and foreign policy. Photo by Lee Choo.

Lawrence Becker, chair of the CSUN Department of Political Science, introduces Gov. Dukakis to the packed crowd in the Grand Salon of the University Student Union. Becker highlighted Dukakis' years of service at all levels of government, from a Massachusetts town meeting in the 1960s to his 1988 run for the presidency. "Michael Dukakis is someone whose life has exemplified a career in public service," said Becker. Photo by Lee Choo.

Gov. Dukakis shares his thoughts on the 2012 election with the crowd. He believes that one of the key factors in the last election was the Obama campaign’s successful use of precinct-based, grass roots outreach, which could change politics for decades to come. Photo by Lee Choo.

Kathleen Young, an associate professor of public health at CSUN, captures a moment as Dukakis speaks. Photo by Lee Choo.

CSUN Liberal Studies Director and Mathematics Professor Michael Neubauer asks Dukakis a question. Photo by Lee Choo.