Since Todd Eberly, associate professor of political science and public policy at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, took the helm of the College’s Center for the Study of Democracy on August 1, he has moved forward with reorganizing the Center and initiating programing.
“Dr. Eberly’s expertise in American politics, public policy, and Maryland politics is a perfect match to the mission of the Center,” said Provost Michael Wick, “In his short time in the office, he has already begun to form a new faculty advisory board that will include community members for their added expertise and commitment to the mission of the Center. This newly constituted advisory board will more directly connect the programming of the Center to the broad curriculum of the College.”
“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.”
Wick continued, “With over a decade of experience as a college faculty member, Dr. Eberly has the demonstrated ability to actively engage undergraduate students in the study of democracy and liberty and plans to incorporate students extensively into the operation and programming of the Center. The future of the Center is bright indeed.”
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.
