HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — Through the Madison Center for Civic Engagement, James Madison University (JMU) has partnered with the National Issues Forums Institute (NIFI) to launch the Centers for Civic Life program and its inaugural national cohort of Faculty Fellows. The initiative, made possible by a $2.72 million grant, brings together educators from across the country who share a commitment to strengthening deliberative civic discourse and fostering meaningful engagement on their campuses and in their communities.

The first cohort includes faculty representatives from 12 institutions representing every region of the country: Auburn University, Cerritos College, Colorado State University, Hofstra University, Hudson Valley Community College, Pacific Lutheran University, Stevens Institute of Technology, University of Delaware, University of Northern Iowa, University of Southern California, University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Winona State University.

Selected through a highly competitive national process, the Faculty Fellows represent a wide range of academic disciplines and career stages, from communication studies and political science to education and the social sciences. Their selection required not only a compelling vision for civic discourse on their campuses, but also demonstrated institutional commitment, including support letters from senior leaders such as presidents and provosts.

“Building the skills necessary for productive civic discourse doesn’t happen by accident,” said Dr. Kara Dillard, executive director of JMU’s Center for Civic Engagement. “It requires intentional practice, strong facilitation and a commitment to creating spaces where people can engage with complex issues in thoughtful and constructive ways. Through this program, we are creating a national model that gives faculty the skills and resources needed to teach and facilitate civil discourse on their campuses.”

Over the next 12 months, Faculty Fellows will be led by Dillard and Dr. Rebeca Barge, the Madison Center’s associate director for civic discourse initiatives, on intensive professional development focused on deliberative pedagogy, facilitation techniques and strategies for helping students navigate difficult conversations. They will learn how to foster dialogue across differences and train students to become facilitators themselves.

The initial group of Fellows consists of:

  • Hollie Cost, Auburn University (Alabama)
  • Kimberly Rosenfeld, Cerritos College (California)
  • Martin Carcasson, Colorado State University
  • Philip Dalton, Hofstra University (New York)
  • Peter Sawyer, Hudson Valley Community College (New York)
  • Justin Eckstein, Pacific Lutheran University (Washington)
  • Lindsey Cormack, Stevens Institute of Technology (New Jersey)
  • Timothy Shaffer, University of Delaware
  • Cara Burnidge, University of Northern Iowa
  • Jennifer Crawford, University of Southern California
  • Brandon Kliewer, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Liberty Kohn, Winona State University (Minnesota)