National Institute for Civil Discourse announces first Executive Director | News

The University of Arizona's National Institute for Civil Discourse set a milestone for themselves today - announcing the Institute's first Executive Director, Dr. Carolyn Lukensmeyer.

"I am truly honored to serve as the Institute's very first Executive Director," said Dr. Lukensmeyer. "The task of promoting greater civil discourse is one we all share - Republicans and Democrats, elected officials and those seeking public office, members of the media and citizens alike - and through our work at the National Institute for Civil Discourse we hope to explore not just why civility is important to our democracy, but to also empower individuals and groups who seek solutions to the hyper-partisanship, incivility and mistrust that have often been the hallmarks our modern political discourse."  

One of the major considerations for Dr. Lukensmeyer's new appointment was her previous experience as the founder and President of AmericaSpeaks, a non-profit, award wining organization based out of Washington D.C.  AmericaSpeaks is an organization that ‘promotes nonpartisan initiatives to engage citizens and leaders through the development of innovative public policy tools and strategies’ according to the AmericaSpeaks website.  During her time as President AmericaSpeaks hosted events all across the U.S. that helped engage over 165,000 people.

Dr. Lukensmeyer also served from 1993-1994 as a Consultant to the White House Chief of Staff, at the same time serving on the National Performance Review, steering internal management and overseeing several government wide reforms.  Previously, from 1986-1991 she was Chief of Staff to then Ohio governor Richard F. Celeste, Dr. Lukensmeyer was the first woman to serve in that capacity.  She earned her PhD in Organizational Behavior from Case Western Reserve University and completed post-graduate training at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland.

The National Institute for Civil Discourse conducted a year-long search for an Executive Director, before announcing Dr. Lukensmeyer had received the appointment.   

"Carolyn J. Lukensmeyer is an exceptional selection to lead the National Institute for Civil Discourse,” said University of Arizona President Eugene G. Sander. “For decades, she has been a leading national voice on how to address our nation’s challenges in a civil, non-partisan fashion.”

"Her successful management of nationally-recognized public, private and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled, " said Brint Milward, Director of The University of Arizona's School of Government and Public Policy, "The Institute has in Dr. Lukensmeyer a dynamic leader who has demonstrated the managerial acumen necessary to implement pragmatic policy solutions and a tireless advocate on behalf of the principles of civil political discourse."

The National Institute for Civil Discourse at The University of Arizona is a nonpartisan center for the research and advocacy of civility in public discourse.  Chaired by two former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, the Institute engages in educational initiatives to advance understanding of civil discourse among elected officials and candidates running for public office, and works to promote awareness of the importance of civil discourse to democracy and effective government.

For more information, please visit http://www.nicd.arizona.edu