Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Time: 6:00pm to 7:30pm

Location: Kerwin Hall, Room 301

In Trajectory of Power, leading political scientists William Howell and Terry Moe provide a sweeping account of the historical rise of presidential power, arguing that it has now grown to the point where, in the wrong hands, it threatens to subvert American democracy and replace it with a de facto system of strongman rule, whether led by Donald Trump or someone else. Timely, urgent, and original, Trajectory of Power reveals how the presidency has been profoundly transformed during the modern era—and why it now puts our democracy in imminent danger. This event will reflect on how the current Trump presidency grew out of those that preceded it and what the 'strongman' model portends for the future of American government.

Register Here

Know Before You Go:

Driving: 

The American University main campus only has one address: 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016. American University’s main campus is positioned at Ward Circle where Massachusetts and Nebraska Avenues in northwest Washington, DC intersect.

Kerwin Hall has a prominent location on Ward Circle, anchoring the corner of the beautiful AU main campus. Kerwin Hall is located at 3590 Nebraska Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016. The event will take place in Kerwin 301, on the third floor of the building. 

Parking:

American University offers flexible parking options for individuals who do not hold a parking permit. Pay-As-You-Go parking is available in hourly or daily increments ($2/hour, or $16/day). Parking is available in the Katzen Arts Center garage, the School of International Service garage, and the east campus parking lot. 

  • The Katzen Arts Center is located on Massachusetts Avenue NW across from our main campus. When you arrive at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue NW and Glover Gate (main entrance to the AU campus), turn into the Katzen parking facility, and proceed to level P2.
  • The second garage is underneath the School of International Service (SIS). This facility is located at the intersection of Nebraska and New Mexico Avenues NW. There is a traffic light at this intersection. (Note, you cannot turn left off of Nebraska Ave. into the SIS parking garage).
  • The third area is a surface lot located directly across from Kerwin Hall and accessible from Nebraska Avenue NW. This parking area is located on American University’s East Campus. (Note, the only legal way to enter the lot is a right turn from Nebraska Ave into the entrance next to AU’s Constitution Hall).

Public Transit:

American University is also serviced by the DC Metro. The Tenleytown-AU stop is on the red line. You can take the free AU shuttle from the corner of Albemarle and 41st Streets NW to the Kerwin Hall stop. The Blue Route Shuttle will stop in front of Kerwin Hall. 

The D90 and C81 bus routes also have stops near the School of Public Affairs on Nebraska Ave NW.