Turning to a place of comfort: Turning Point at ASU

Reporter: Imogen Siedare

For conservative students, Turning Point provides Arizona State University students with belonging and community. 

Turning Point is a nonprofit organization that has both high school and college student programs, with a presence on over 800 college campuses across the United States.

 The goal of these student programs is to “educate young people about the importance of limited government, free markets, and freedom,” according to the official Turning Point website.  

These Turning Point chapters plan voting drives, host conservative speakers and encourage open dialogue around politics, faith and freedom. 

These chapters also provide students with a community of people with similar beliefs and interests.

Addison Markert, a sophomore studying politics and the economy at Arizona State University, has been involved with Turning Point ASU for over a year and currently serves as the chapter's Vice President. 

She first got involved with the ASU chapter of the organization in 2024 by watching live recordings of their weekly meetings on Instagram.

Markert said she decided to begin attending the meetings in person at the start of 2025.

“We actively try to seek out diverse perspectives and have an open dialogue on a variety of topics, to foster an environment where differing viewpoints are discussed,” Markert said. 

She helps host the weekly meetings, tables for the chapter and plans different events and socials, Markert said. 

Markert said being a member of Turning Point at ASU has had a large impact on her college experience and she feels like she is able to be a part of a community and organization bigger than herself. 

According to the official Arizona State University campus community platform, Sun Devil Sync, there are 800 members in the Turning Point USA chapter. 

However, there are usually only around 40-80 attendees at their weekly meetings, said Markert. 

Turning Point USA was founded in June 2012 by political activist Charlie Kirk. 

Kirk was best known for his popular podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show, and his political debates with students on college campuses. Clips from these debates would often circulate different social media platforms and amass millions of views, comments and shares. 

Kirk was assassinated during a debate at Utah Valley University on Sep. 10, 2025. He was fatally shot once in the neck in front of around 3000 attendees. 

Following Kirk's assassination, his wife, Erika Kirk, was elected unanimously to take over as CEO of Turning Point. 

Charlie Kirk’s death had a large impact on the Arizona State University chapter. 

A vigil for Kirk was organized by the Arizona State University Turning Point chapter. It was held at the Desert Financial Arena on Sep. 15, 2025 and free for anyone to attend. 

Following the vigil, membership and meeting attendance for the chapter increased greatly, Markert said. 

“This motivated students to involve themselves in political discourse and to respectfully engage with individuals who may hold differing viewpoints,” Markert said. 

Despite the national shift in leadership and changes throughout the organization, the ASU chapter is adjusting well and felt no impact on their meetings and events, Markert said.