President Tuajuanda C. Jordan announced today that Todd Eberly, associate professor of political science and public policy, will serve as the interim director for the Center for the Study of Democracy at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. He will begin the position on Wednesday, August 1, and serve until the completion of a search in early fall.
“The pursuit of democracy has existed since the founding of our country, and now, more than ever, it is important for us to value,” said Jordan. “Professor Eberly, our resident public policy expert, has the knowledge, skills, and vision needed to position the Center for success in the 21st century. We are fortunate to have him at the head of our efforts.”
“I’m excited for this opportunity,” said Eberly. “It will be an important transitional year for the Center and I’m looking forward to it.” Regarding ongoing programming for the Center, Eberly stated, “I plan to organize candidate forums in the fall ahead of the November election. Plus, our forum collaboration with the The Patuxent Partnership will continue.”
Eberly specializes in American politics and public policy as well as Maryland politics. His first book, “American Government and Popular Discontent,” was released in June 2013 (Routledge). His second book, with co-author Steven E. Schier, “Polarized: The Rise of Ideology in America,” was released in 2016 (Rowman and Littlefield). His third, also with Schier, “The Trump Presidency: Outsider in the Oval Office,” (Rowman & Littlefield, 2017) offers context and insight grounded in political science, showing what is – and what is not – unusual about the Trump Administration and what to expect moving forward. Eberly’s new book, “How Trump Happened: A System Shock Decades in the Making,” will be published next year.
Eberly is an adviser to Project Vote Smart and his analysis and commentary have been featured in the Washington Post, the Baltimore Sun, and Public Radio/Television. He has served as an expert witness in cases challenging gerrymandered Congressional districts and has consulted with the centrist organization Third Way. He was named one of the most influential voices in Maryland politics by Campaigns and Elections magazine. In 2010, the St. Mary’s College Student Government Association honored him with the Faculty Student Life Award.
