By: Deanna Touchard
From Nov. 19-22, Southern students will practice presenting bills and running mock trials at the
Tennessee State Capitol as part of a class offered by the History and Political Science
Department.
Through the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL), a simulation program offered by
the Tennessee state government, students from colleges across the state try out the role of a
legislator or an attorney at the Capitol building for a few days. As a topics class, the program
counts as one course credit for Southern students.
Leighvanni Kennedy, a junior international studies major and the student director of TISL, said
the program is split into sections.
“TISL is separated into two branches, the legislative arm, which works towards modeling a
Congress format of the House of Representatives, and the AMC3 arm, which is a mock trial
team,” she said.
Students in the legislative branch have the opportunity to write bills, argue for them in
committees and vote on the House floor.
“Students from our legislative team will be defending the bills they have submitted to try and get
them passed,” Kennedy said. “To get a bill fully passed, the representatives must get the bill
passed through the House of Representatives by voting. The same goes for the Senate.”
Annabelle McCully, a junior history major who is serving as a representative on TISL this year,
said the simulation process helps her to get to know both her teammates better.
“It’s always exciting to hear about the different issues that are important to our team,” McCully
said.
She added that the process of presenting, voting and serving on a committee brings her
knowledge to life.
“There’s no better way to learn and understand politics and government than by actually
participating in the legislative process, which TISL allows students to do,” McCully said.
According to Kennedy, TISL students submitted a wide range of bills, from removing billboards
and road distractions to the regulation of AI content that is created and distributed.
Mark Hyder, business law professor in Southern’s School of Business and the male sponsor of
TISL, said participants in TISL also have the chance to see their bill progress beyond the TISL
program.
“At the conclusion of the session, the bills that are passed are sent to the actual Tennessee
legislature, and they pick one bill and vote it up or down, so students have an opportunity to
contribute a bill that will actually become law,” Hyder said.
According to the TISL website, the AMC3 branch, which stands for Appellate Moot Court
Collegiate Challenge, offers students the opportunity to argue appellate cases in the role of an
attorney. They create briefs and defend court cases in the courthouse that is a part of the Capitol
building. Teams are scored throughout their mock trials, and finalists advance to a championship
competition.
During the TISL trip, students have the opportunity to meet and network with students from
other schools that may be pursuing the same career path.
“Students learn to debate, exposure into the world of law and politics, networking, how to write a
bill, how to write a brief, and the law-making process at the state level,” Kennedy said.
According to Marshall Beaven, a senior political science major and TISL participant, the
program can help students understand a job or role they want to pursue in the future.
“There is no greater teacher than experience, which makes TISL an excellent option for people
considering careers in legislation or nudging them onto that path,” Beaven said. “All in all, it’s a
great time whether you’re looking to broaden your horizons, improve your skills in writing and
public speaking, or connect with your peers outside the classroom.”
