In an interview with the Maroon, Heitkamp reflected on her accomplishments as director, how the University’s financial issues and the Trump administration have affected the IOP, and her experience inside the IOP building during its occupation by pro-Palestine protesters last spring.

In an email sent on Thursday, founding Institute of Politics Director David Axelrod said Heitkamp, a former U.S. Senator, planned for her time as director to be limited when she accepted the role.