William (Billy) Folinusz joined the UNMA in 2023 and was selected to participate in highly competitive Eagleton Institute of Politics Graduate Program. Before the start of 2024 academic year, the Eagleton Institute sought fellows to serve as teaching assistants for President Jonathan Holloway’s Byrne Seminar titled Citizenship, Institutions, and the Public and Billy, along with two other fellows, was offered the position. The eight-week course for first-year students examines what it means to be a good citizen and what we should reasonably expect of our institutions. The course addresses these and other questions through a series of conversations with distinguished leaders from the corporate, political, nonprofit, and media communities.
One of Billy’s passions is the state of American democracy and citizenship. His military experience has given him perspective on the sacrifice of Americans, both in and out of uniform, who work tirelessly to protect and strengthen our democracy. Eagleton Institute graduate fellowship offered him an opportunity to engage with young students on this critical topic and invest in Rutgers University, students, and the future of the United States of America. Such immersion in the topics of democracy and citizenship are also fueling Billy's research for his UNMA capstone seminar, where he explores the habits of strong democracies and engaged citizens. This experience will also serve as a foundation for his time at US Military Academy where he will teach cadets moral and ethical leadership.