John DiBiaggio Professorship of Citizenship and Public Service

John DiBiaggio Professorship of Citizenship and Public Service is an endowed academic chair at Tufts University, established to honor the legacy of John DiBiaggio, the university's eleventh president. The professorship is housed within the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, a pioneering institution dedicated to civic education and engagement. Its core mission is to advance scholarship and teaching on the theory and practice of active citizenship in a democracy. Holders of the professorship are distinguished scholars who examine themes of civil society, public policy, and ethical leadership.

History and establishment

The professorship was created in the early 2000s through philanthropic support to honor John DiBiaggio, who served as president of Tufts University from 1992 to 2001. DiBiaggio was renowned for his commitment to community engagement and his advocacy for the university's role in the public sphere. The establishment of the chair coincided with the transformation of the university's Center for Public Service into the more comprehensive Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life. This development, under the leadership of Linda P. B. Katehi and later Alan D. Solomont, solidified the professorship's institutional home. The endowment reflects a significant investment by Tufts University in aligning its academic mission with the practical study of civic participation and social responsibility.

Appointment and holders

Appointment to the John DiBiaggio Professorship is a selective process, with holders being senior faculty members of national distinction in fields related to civic life. The inaugural holder was Peter Levine, a prominent scholar of democratic theory and youth civic engagement, who assumed the role in 2007. Levine, also the former director of the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), played a key role in shaping the professorship's early direction. Subsequent holders have included experts in areas such as political philosophy, social movements, and nonprofit management. These appointments are typically made in consultation with the dean of Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life and the Provost of Tufts University.

Purpose and academic focus

The primary purpose of the professorship is to foster rigorous academic inquiry into the concepts and practices of citizenship. This includes research on voter participation, community organizing, social capital, and the ethical dimensions of public service. The chair holder is expected to teach courses, mentor students, and produce scholarship that bridges the gap between academia and civil society. A central focus is on preparing students at Tufts University for lives of active and informed civic participation, examining challenges within both the United States and global contexts. The academic work supported by the professorship often intersects with disciplines like political science, sociology, ethics, and public health.

Associated programs and activities

The professorship is integrally connected to the programs of the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life. The chair holder frequently engages with initiatives such as the Tisch Scholars program, Active Citizenship Summer grants, and the University College of Citizenship and Public Service. They may also contribute to university-wide events like the Tisch College Distinguished Speaker Series, which has hosted figures such as John Lewis and Bryan Stevenson. Furthermore, the professorship supports collaborative research projects, public lectures, and partnerships with organizations like the National Conference on Citizenship and the American Democracy Project. These activities extend the professorship's impact beyond the Medford, Massachusetts campus into broader public discourse.

Significance and impact

The John DiBiaggio Professorship represents a cornerstone of Tufts University's identity as an institution committed to civic mission. It has significantly elevated the scholarly profile of civic studies as an interdisciplinary field, influencing similar programs at other universities like the University of Maryland, College Park and Stanford University. Through the research and teaching of its holders, the professorship has contributed to national conversations on issues like civic education reform, youth voting, and the role of higher education in strengthening democracy. Its enduring impact is seen in the generations of Tufts University graduates who pursue careers in public service, nonprofit leadership, and social advocacy, informed by the scholarship the chair supports.

Category:Tufts University Category:Academic chairs Category:Civic engagement