Civic Leadership in the Commonwealth
A
magazine of the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement
Kirsten
Rodrigue
Michael
Douglas
Bridget
Amber
Schuyler Omar Stacey
Inthisedition
The State of Civic Leadership in the Commonwealth
“Forme,Iunderstandthatcivicleadershipisnot abouthavingatitle,it'saboutworkingforchange.” –RodrigueMakelele,Harrisonburg
In every corner of Virginia – from schools and city councils to nonprofits and neighborhood associations – the state’s civic leaders are shaping communities with a strong and sincere commitment to the common good. The state’s civic leaders are quiet actors pushing for progress They are bridgebuilders in towns and counties in times of growing polarization and conflict They lead not from the top, but along with fellow residents They are the critical linchpins in our democracy and the in the civic health of the Commonwealth.
In 2021, Nick Vlahos and Matt Leighninger of the National Civic Review interviewed civic leaders across the country to understand challenges and opportunities in improving civic health postpandemic. Not only did the authors find civic leaders working across political divides to engage their residents, but civic leaders were plugging residents into social services and building support systems while advancing systemic change in their communities From these findings we wondered, what can we learn about civic leadership from Virginia’smostprominentcommunityleaders?
2
At the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement, our mission is to educate and inspire people to address public issues and cultivate the common good in our democracy Grounded in scholarship from the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) and Ed O’Malley and David Chrislip’s For the Common Good: Redefining Civic Leadership, students in JMU’s civic leadership minor learn the competencies and practice the skills needed for leadership in and with community The introductory course in civic leadership theories culminates in students exploring Virginia’s civic leaders and how theoretical competencies translate into real-world leadership across the state This magazine highlights the unique capacities, competencies, and work of our state’s civic leaders 1
In this inaugural edition of Civic Leadership in the Commonwealth, we highlight nine leaders, each discussing their civic work while demonstrating how civic-oriented competencies and leadership skills can improve civic health:
RodrigueMakelele, immigration and refugee advocate, Harrisonburg
KirstenPonticelli, environmental nonprofit leader, Loudoun County
AmberWilt, youth voting advocate, Winchester
OmarFaison, local farming advocate, Petersburg
SchuylerVanValkenburg, teacher and Senator, Henrico
Stacey Metcalfe, civic education nonprofit leader, Leesburg
BridgetManley, journalist, Harrisonburg
MichaelBerlucchi, city council member, Virginia Beach
DouglasStraley, public school superintendent, Louisa County
What we found in our discussions with these civic leaders is a tension between aspiration and reality: the drive to act for the common good amid structural, financial, and political constraints While not unique to Virginia, the way our state’s civic leaders navigate these challenges and the distinctive competencies and mindsets they develop in addressing issues are specific to the Commonwealth and worth exploring in depth
From our interviews, five key ideas stand out: civic leaders have the gumption to act, the impact of polarization and demographic change in communities, the persistent barrier of funding, the difficulty of motivating citizens to act together, and the necessity of collaboration across differences Each person makes clear a central principle of the Madison Center’s philosophy of civic leadership –civic leadership isn’t a title or position but is about the actions people take in communities to bridge divides and solve problems for the common good
Here’showVirginia’scivicleadersaredoingjustthat.
CouragetoAct:TheCoreofCivicLeadership
A consistent theme across our interviews is the belief that civic leadership begins with the courage and gumption to act Our civic leaders describe how leadership does not only stem from formal authority or position in a community, but from the ability to recognize a community need and galvanize others from across political and cultural divides toward addressing it
“AllIhadtodowasask,andjustdo!”
– Kirsten
Ponticelli, Loudoun County
Our Gen Z civic leaders all noted a tension of feeling like they were not yet “leaders” in their community and questioned whether they could act and be taken seriously on the values and issues they cared about However, when each of them decided to act, their impact was immediate and valuable.
This insight is not just exclusive to Virginia’s younger civic leaders Almost all of our interviewees discussed the realization that they didn’t need to wait for someone else or ask for permission to act; they just needed to step up and do. This act was revelatory and cathartic - civic leadership didn’t have as many barriers as they all thought Instead, the main barrier to civic leadership seems to be courage and gumption, as Ponticelli exclaims - to ask and just do
Yet, this freedom is not without challenge. Several noted that acting can sometimes provoke resistance, particularly when addressing long-standing practices Acting in the civic arena often means navigating bureaucratic hurdles, overcoming cultural skepticism, or risking personal reputation Still, our civic leaders suggest that taking action - even in incremental stepsremains the defining feature of effective civic leadership. Each exhibited courage in exercising this freedom and found that their small acts of leadership compounded into larger cultural shifts over time
However, acting to address community issues isn’t solely a matter of standing up Rodrigue Makelele makes the point that civic leadership is not a straight path to action and leadership; there are real barriers to being able to “just act”
PolarizationandDemographicChange: BarriersandBridges
“I don’t want civic leadership to be so intertwined with politics, right?”
– StaceyMetcalfe,Leesburg
Another crucial theme is the double-edged impact of polarization and shifting demographics in Virginia Interviewees noted that political polarization has hardened attitudes and made local consensusbuilding more difficult. These challenges reflect what KLC refers to as "adaptive challenges" problems that require new learning and shifts in values, beliefs, and behaviors by civic leaders and across community
“At the local level, we ' re much more connected as neighbors than we are as partisan figures. Having said that, though, partisan politics does come into play during the city council elections that the local parties become involved even though we ' re not listed with our party affiliations on the ballot”
– MichaelBerlucchi,VirginiaBeach
However, many leaders saw opportunity within these demographic changes. Increasing racial, ethnic, and generational diversity was described not only as a challenge but also as a wellspring of new ideas and energy Those who led adaptively fostered spaces where multiple perspectives could surface, thus reframing polarization as a chance for collaborative innovation rather than intractable division.
“When you look at it, it's pulling people together No matter who you are, your support on this [school] team [matters] And that's the message we try to send every day when facing those barriers and challenges, it's just about, again, keeping that message of unity”
– DouglasStraley,LouisaCounty
FundingandSupport:TheStructuralBarrier
A structural constraint that consistently emerged was the lack of funding and institutional support Many civic initiatives in Virginia are hampered by limited financial resources, short-term funding cycles, and the absence of sustainable infrastructure to support long-term projects. Mobilizing resources is a key function of civic leadership, but the interviews revealed that resource mobilization remains one of the most taxing aspects of civic work
“It's hard to get people to pay for news Newsrooms are now one person getting press releases and they're not out and about and on a beat and talking to people… I think that is the thing that hampers the democratic process, that if we were able to pay reporters more to have these beats, to be able to foster those relationships, to get out to do those things more, then we would be able to cover more ” – BridgetManley,Harrisonburg
Navigating funding limitations often requires entrepreneurial creativity and a high degree of persuasion by civic leaders Manley shares the story of how many local journalists have several jobs and deep community storytelling is heavily reliant on the relationships journalists have within the community to sustain local news For Faison, local farming is a cross-ideological service deeply reliant on grants and federal funding. However, changes at the federal level for funding are requiring civic leaders to adapt their storytelling and to be more attuned to how they share the value of their civic work
“We all seek support and to serve across the political spectrum, but certainly the stories and the way that you would frame your narrative… is very different A lot of what we do out of this office is very much around grants and federal funding, [we] think very much about what our language needs to be so that the grants that we have we can keep and the new ones that we go for we are actually staying compliant ” – OmarFaison,Petersburg
MotivatingPeopletoAct:AnEnduringChallenge
The difficulty of motivating citizens to engage actively in local governance and community-building surfaced as another significant theme In many cases, civic leaders reported apathy, distrust, or competing personal commitments as barriers to collective action Leadership involves mobilizing people to do difficult work, but inertia within some of Virginia’s communities often bred by cynicism, past disillusionment, or a complicated history is making this task more difficult
“In doing voter engagement in general there is this large barrier of folks assuming there is an agenda behind why you ' re registering someone to vote, especially when you work on college campuses. ” – AmberWilt,Winchester
Some leaders found that storytelling and relational organizing building networks of trust one relationship at a time proved effective in overcoming initial resistance Personal invitations, emphasizing shared values, and framing civic engagement as both necessary and meaningful helps spark participation. However, this work is slow and often labor-intensive, underscoring that civic leadership is less about grand gestures and more about persistent, everyday collaboration and engagement
“If I try to fix it by myself, I'm just going to burn up If I open the space for others to find their own space to try to fix a problem, then there is better ideas, better perspectives, better skills, than I have. I just need to be able to organize people, find the space And if there are any resources to help them hone those skills the rest is to come from people's conversations and ideas and chats, coffee, to come up with solutions to the issue”
– RodrigueMakelele,Harrisonburg
WorkingAcrossStructuresandDifferences
Finally, Virginia's civic leaders consistently stress that effective leadership requires working across a complex web of people, organizations, and governmental structures In the Commonwealth, no single entity holds all the levers of change Leaders must practice what KLC’s Ed O’Malley calls "intervening skillfully" diagnosing the situation, actively listening to narratives being told in their communities, regulating the heat of conflict, and orchestrating processes that help different actors find common ground across divides 3
“We also have to find ways to work together to build a future that doesn't rely on that past I'm committed to working together with everyone to create an environment where everyone has a chance to be successful”
– MichaelBerlucchi,VirginiaBeach
Successful civic leaders often function as "bridge builders," building alliances across sectors from local government to nonprofits, faith communities to private enterprises They emphasize adaptability, the ability to see the larger system beyond one ' s immediate perspective, and the patience to foster long-term relationships Collaboration, they all affirm, is not a secondary strategy but a central skill of modern civic leadership.
Civic leaders occupy a unique position in communities to make change, but they also have to be cognizant of the values of those around them While Virginia may be politically purple, many communities are deeply red or blue, making their bridgebuilding skills vital to civic life
LeadinginaChangingCivicLandscape
Throughout the process of selecting this geographically, ideologically, and civically diverse group of leaders, we were struck by the level of commitment each have to improving the civic health of their communities From education to food, to art and media, Virginia’s civic leaders are demonstrating resilience in navigating formidable barriersideological polarization, funding shortages, citizen disengagement, and structural complexity inherent in a politically purple state The picture that emerges from these interviews is hopeful Our civic leaders aren’t waiting for the winds to change in their favor, they are taking action and creating coalitions from diverse areas in their communities to address important issues and improve civic health. Each recognize that civic leadership is action, not just a title, and the trust extended to their by their community is fragile
CONNECT with us
In a time when trust in traditional institutions is fraying, local civic leadership offers a different model: one rooted in relationships and bridgebuilding, focusing on the common good, and the stubborn belief that solutions come when ordinary people do extraordinary things together, especially across partisan divides Ultimately, the civic future of Virginia will depend on leaders like those profiled here, who recognize that leadership is not solely a position or title or exclusively the domain of elected officials Our communities will require civic leaders who can mobilize diverse groups to tackle complex “wicked” challenges, who will inspire action where apathy and skepticism reign, and can sustain actionable efforts even when the path forward is uncertain As the profiles in the following pages confirm, local civic leadership is difficult but essential work and it is one of the most vital forces shaping the future of democracy in Virginia’s towns and counties. One thing remains clear:
KaraDillard,PhD EditorinChief
[1] Chrislip, DD & O’Malley, E (2013) For the Common Good; Redefining Civic Leadership KLC Press; O’Malley, E (2012) The competencies for civic leadership: An introduction to the core curricular underpinning of the KLC https:// kansasleadershipcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/The-Competencies-for-Civic-Leadership.pdf [2] https://wwwnationalcivicleagueorg/ncr-article/local-civic-leaders-facing-threats-to-democracy-in-communities/ [3] O’Malley, E (2012) The competencies of civic leadership: An introduction to the core curricular underpinnings of the KLC https://kansasleadershipcenterorg/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/The-Competencies-for-Civic-Leadershippdf
Rodrigue Rodrigue Makelele Makelele
Founder&CEOofVijanaAfrica RefugeeCommunityOrganizer
Harrisonburg,VA
Written by Kasey Thompson (‘27) Civic Leadership Intern
“Civic engagement in [the] Congo involves putting your life at risk.” In a world often fractured by polarization and paralyzed by funding gaps, Rodrigue Makelele stands out as a civic leader who doesn’t just advocate for change - he builds bridges to make it happen. This bridging instinct led to the founding of a nonprofit focused on education, empowerment, and peacebuilding across international borders As the founder of Vijana Africa and a peacebuilder most recently with Harrisonburg’s Church World Service (CWS), Makelele's work reflects the power and struggle of civic leadership today, and especially in Virginia.
CivicLeadershipinAction: WorkingWithoutaTitletoCreateChange
Makelele’s journey into civic leadership began early, shaped by his upbringing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) "I started as a civic leader very young, " he reflects, "I looked at what civic leadership is to me, right? Bridging gaps, whether between policymakers and the communities or between advocacy and action" After Makelele witnessed children living in fear and insecurity in the eastern portion of the DRC, he created the nonprofit Vijana Africa to address systemic social and economic injustices
Makelele's early experiences in a conflict zone shaped his thinking and approach to civic leadership as oriented toward action and connection, “My experience in a wartime zone added a precedent for me to find myself in a position of trying to help and support” But Makelele emphasizes that leadership today isn’t about being out front. “I learned that today, leadership is no longer about standing in front It's about empowering others to step up and drive change in their own spaces ”
In April 2017, Makelele left the DRC for Harrisonburg to attend Eastern Mennonite University’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding program. He later earned a master's degree in Conflict Transformation Over the past decade, Harrisonburg has seen a significant influx of refugees and immigrants resettling in the area, making the work of connecting and integrating these new residents into the civic life of the town vital work. This is the crux of Makelele’s views on civic leadership: creating space and connections between groups for the benefit of the common good That is the mission of Makelele’s Vijana Africa: “I focus on equipping these young people to display skills with the skills that they need to advocate for themselves and build strong communities”
The global connective perspective has led Makelele to adopt systemic thinking as a key part of his civic leadership mindset “Systemic change needs a specific approach or systemic approach,” he explains Systemic thinking is evident in his organizing work across Virginia. “From 2020 through 2025… I've been able to organize a group of leaders throughout the state of Virginia They’ve been able to bring a lot of change in the state level with the policies and new bills that were enacted”
These efforts have led to tangible victories: the recognition of World Refugee Day by the Harrisonburg City Council, the establishment of Virginia’s Office of New Americans, and the lifting of professional licensing barriers for immigrant teachers, nurses, and physicians “That’s a big deal,” he notes, “Putting the voices of refugees in Harrisonburg at the forefront of what we do in the city.” What matters most to Makelele? “Civic leadership is not about having a title, it’s about working for change”
ChallengingPublicNarratives
Makelele had to adjust to the idea of misinformation surrounding his identity and those he works to advocate for. This phenomenon has escalated in recent years For leaders like Makelele, that’s a big challenge “These people are working hard to try to feed their family, to try to find safety, to get a roof over their head and support themselves,” he said “These people are running away from violent conflicts or being targeted, fleeing for their lives, but [they’re] not seen that way because it’s a narrative that might not be accurate” Makelele recognizes that the narrative surrounding immigrants does not account for the reality and struggle they undergo To counteract this phenomenon, Makelele makes a point of being intentional in his language and interactions with others. “Someone like me that comes from a non-English background, my words need to make sense, ” he said
Another challenge Makelele faces in the US is capturing the public’s attention about international issues. He has noticed a trend of “when there’s an issue in the western world, it tends to have a lot of attention, when it’s predominantly Black, African communities, it doesn't have that much attention,” he said His work shines light on communities that are often left in the dark, such as his home city of Goma, DRC This is why Vijana Africa was created, and what its mission centers around.
Despite his passion and vision, Makelele is candid about the barriers he faces “Part of the funding freeze or budget freeze by the government I think most of our team is out an indefinite time” These challenges are not new Makelele shares, “funding has been a problem for me as a leader of a small organization that has a global mission It’s difficult to get people to buy into the idea of helping a child that lives in a displacement camp in Goma in DRC from Harrisonburg” The conflict he works to address doesn’t always directly impact people locally
Even though funding is challenging, Makelele's philosophy is grounded in sustainability: “Every problem or issue needs solution, solution usually needs resources That’s one of the biggest things empower community as much as possible to support local initiatives” This scarcity of resources, coupled with rising misinformation and social division, presents compounding challenges. “Working with immigrants, there's a lot of misinformation, about who immigrants are, what they do These people are running away from violent conflicts but not seen that way because it's a narrative that might not be accurate.”
Listeningand“OpeningSpaceforOthers” asCornerstonesofCivicLeadership AcrossCulturalDivides
Makelele believes deeply in the power of dialogue, even in the most challenging spaces He makes it his mission to listen and understand those challenges that don’t directly impact him, as he hopes others will “The biggest skill that I’ve been able to use mostly is listening,” he says “Hearing what people think about what is going on and what other ways we can make change... that’s been one of the biggest things” The focus on active listening is a significant part of Makelele’s philosophy of civic leadership as bridge building, “Leaders are the ones that do not only tell people what to build, they're the ones that listen to what people want to do and help them get to what they want, really empowering them to be who they want to be,” Makelele said. “It’s really powerful”
Makelele believes that “those differences contribute to a very beautiful tapestry of human beings,” he said “You learn a lot about communities, culture and things, and that creates challenges which is normal, but over time it builds you as a person, as a leader, builds you to be not only aware of different cultures and the ways that you do things, but also aware of how you could communicate, participate and work with diverse people from different cultures, backgrounds”
To do this, Makelele emphasizes that public narratives must move from the all too common “ us versus them dynamic.” Instead, a variety of backgrounds and perspectives should be valued. We must learn to “look at the perspective of that person or that group of people without saying they are evil, bad or wrong ” Makelele’s mission centers around searching for a common goal among differences
For Makelele, civic leadership is ultimately about creating conditions where others can lead “I’m not an activist,” he clarifies “I’m an organizer Because if I try to fix it by myself, I’m just going to burn out But if I open the space for others to find their own space to fix a problem, then there are better ideas, better perspectives, better skills than I have.”
His philosophy is clear: “People always have plans They just need to come together on the issue There is an answer There is a solution”
Monday September 8, 2025 WilsonHallAuditorium
A FIRESIDE CHAT WITH Dr. Peter Levine
Lincoln Filene Professor of Citizenship and Public Affairs
Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, Tufts University
Facilitated by Dr. Kara Dillard and Dr. David Kirkpatrick
WrittenbyKieranFensterwald(‘26)
DemocracyFellow
In a moment of reflection, Kirsten Ponticelli remembers the surprise of civic discovery: “I remember I tried to start a club when I was a sophomore in high school… I just asked my German teacher if she would be my club sponsor and likesuddenly there was a club” That spark of realization by a young person - that civic action is possible, no matter your age, simply by asking - has become her guiding ethos: “You kind of just have to ask, and you usually get [it].”
Gen Z’s civic leadership has a distinctive quality to it
While other generations may share similar ideals, Gen Z is considerably values driven, highly collaborative, and unafraid to make the first ask and advocate for their needs and the needs of others Ponticelli certainly reflects the ethos of this generation of civic leaders. From a high school student to enrolling at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), age and experience are not barriers to civic leadership From founding Love Your Mother Co for a service project in high school, her membership on the Leesburg Commission of Public Art, to her work at VCU leading environmentally conscious change, her civic leadership spans her young adult life in both big and small ways
ThePowerofAsking
“All I had to do was ask, and just do!” These were her words to me when I asked how she started as a civic leader. Ponticelli’s civic journey began as a high school student. “My specific experience with civic
Kirsten Ponticelli
Love Your Mother Co Organizer
LoudounCounty,VA
engagement is predominantly through Love Your Mother Co This is a fundraiser event that I started through a required volunteer project in high school But I eventually continued it after I graduated”
Ponticelli saw an opportunity for change through creativity “We essentially do environmental nonprofit work but the fundraiser is actually an art gallery to give youth an opportunity to see what they can do with their work and have artists have a chance to promote their work” The art gallery now raises funds for Keep Loudoun Beautiful (KLB). Beyond this signature event, she has served on the Commission on Public Art in Leesburg and works with sustainability initiatives at VCU “Currently in Richmond I also participate in things like Veg Club, where we try to make sure students have access to advocate for themselves and their diets.”
Gen Z’s views of civic leadership as freedom to act through collaboration and connection with others profoundly shapes Ponticelli’s own actions as a civic leader “We're so blessed as Americans to have so much power, so much individual freedom that you ' ve just got to voice what you have to say. And sometimes you find out a lot of people agree, and you can be impactful” Ponticelli’s story of civic change feels uniquely American and strongly borne out of our generation’s views of civic life
GenZCivicLeadershipisValuesDriven
Navigating difference is central to Ponticelli’s civic work, especially when decisions carry social or political implications One moment stood out during a past art show: “We had this incredible painting that
was titled “Free Palestine” It was this beautiful piece That was a time where I, as a leader, had to decide, like, you know, that’s making a statement” Her takeaway from the experience was sobering and empowering:
“IrealizedIhavethepowertomakestatementsonthings thatareimportant
SoIknowIjustsaidlike,‘Oh,we’rejustanyone,’butIdo havethepowertopushthemesthatareonracialequity orIhavethepowertopushthoseaway Thatreally changedmyperceptionbecauseitwasthefirsttimeIhad tothinkabout,okay,likeIknowwhatIbelieve
ButIalsoknowIreallycareaboutmyorganizationand myorganization'smission Andputtingthesetwothings togethermightchangepeople'sviewofmyorganization, butIhavetodecidewhat'simportanttome...Wehadno issues,butitwasatimeIreallyhadtothinkaboutthings”
Despite ideological divides, Ponticelli sees the environment as common ground “When we look at the ideological split in America, I think both Democrats and Republicans have care for the land and care for the environment I have seen that on both sides thankfully”
But that doesn’t mean polarization hasn’t influenced her leadership style “Whether or not I'm more intentional in my language - I definitely think I have become a lot more intentional People hear one thing, and you don't mean for them to think that so I’ve learned that transparency is key”
GenZCivicLeadershipAcrossBarriers
The complexity of civic leadership increases with scale, and Ponticelli’s learning curve has been steep. “When I first started this, it was just me and a few friends But as things grow, you have to learn how to delegate and you have to learn how to be a fair leader” Working across community institutions has also meant juggling competing priorities “We fall under KLB, which is a nonprofit We also work with Russ Manor House, which is through the [Northern Virginia] Parks system… And then we are trying to target the entire public” Yet through these challenges, she’s found resilience in communication “It's difficult to balance everyone ' s needs and wants in that situation You have so many different stakeholders involved.... but it's good to be challenged and it's allowed me to think creatively and see how everyone can work together”
In thinking about the civic leadership skills she’s cultivated, Ponticelli has found that all the skills of management – delegation, project management and teamwork – are critical But what makes Ponticelli unique and a standout Gen Z civic leader is her capacity to speak out even when it feels scary:
“You can’t be afraid to say exactly what you think I can't count the number of times I've been in a room or I've worked on a project and nobody wants to say what they think Like nobody, because they're so afraid of being wrong that they would rather say nothing, but in reality, none of us know. So, it's kind of like you can't be wrong I definitely think that communication and just being honest and being upfront about what you think And being okay with being wrong is so important You just really have to build up people’s confidence and make them feel good about themselves.”
From Ponticelli’s perspective, this type of honesty and transparency is what builds trust in her civic leadership capacities Defining the values of an organization is a difficult task, but ensuring those values represent the diversity of a community is harder. Ponticelli’s experience in civic engagement and effective change is a great example of civic leadership as action
Amber Amber Wilt Wilt
Virginia Coordinator
Fair Elections Center’ s
Campus Vote Project
Winchester, VA
Written by Kieran Fensterwald Democracy Fellow
Amber Wilt didn’t grow up in a civically engaged household Her parents didn’t talk politics and voted only in presidential cycles “I had no idea how to navigate the political system, but I was interested,” she recalls Like many Gen Z’ers coming of age in politically turbulent times, her civic awakening came from recognizing problems in her community, logging onto social media and realizing, “It can be you who does those things You don't have to wait for someone else to do it”
Now, as Virginia State Coordinator for the Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project, Wilt leads statewide efforts to empower college students to vote and institutionalize civic engagement on campuses Her leadership started as a college student and her passion for voter registration civic engagement on campuses has expanded as she works tirelessly in empowering college students to create and initiate civic action on their campuses. Her story exemplifies the Gen-Z civic leadership model: grounded in personal experience, connected to community issues, and deeply shaped by a uniquely Virginian political landscape
CivicLeadershipinAction
Wilt’s leadership began not with a plan, but with a personal shift “I was super jaded when it came to participating in the system, as I feel like a lot of 18year-olds are ” She admits she didn’t vote in her first election, “but now I recognize that’s an important part of my journey”
While growing up in an apolitical household, her time at college was eye opening to the variety of local and national issues that need addressing A college professor helped her see civic leadership and public service as necessary for civic action “I chose to learn how to navigate the political system on purpose because I'm trying to make it more accessible for others... For me, it's always been a desire to make the system more accessible for everyone ”
As the Campus Vote Project statewide coordinator, Wilt’s work spans dozens of campuses across Virginia. “My domain is overseeing the work that we do with college campuses in Virginia, including work with other nonprofits that have similar goals” One of her favorite projects: an annual student summit “Everyone that’s there is Virginia-based bringing our students who are from Virginia colleges together to reinvigorate them to keep continuing the work they’re doing.”
She has also helped build student coalitions that advocate for systemic election reform
“One [public university] campus started [taking Election Day off], and now they kind of label it as Day on Democracy I helped connect them with a bunch of other campuses Three or four since then have gotten Election Day off, and a few others are currently working on it.” Coalition-building, bridgebuilding and action are key components to Wilt’s civic leadership style
Despite her youth, Wilt is already mentoring the next generation of civic leaders as catalysts for change on their campuses. “I’m working directly with students every semester, and I’m hoping that I’m able to even give a little bit of what my mentors gave me You don’t have to wait for someone else to do it You can be a part of that”
PolarizationonCampuses
Wilt has watched voter engagement become more politicized over the past few years. “There’s now this large barrier of folks assuming there is an agenda behind why you ’ re registering someone to voteespecially when you work on college campuses ” Students organizing on campus now face more scrutiny than ever “We’ve seen in the past year more pushback on students doing voter registration work by administrations on college campuses… That’s frustrating for the students, but also for us as organizers”
She’s had to be deeply committed to nonpartisanship when engaging in voter registration work “We have to be very careful about how we talk about voting… When we, for instance, put together materials...on their campuses we have to be so specific about what we ' re doing and what they're trying to do for instance, we offer Know Your Rights Guides for Virginia voters and student voters in particular”
This hyper-awareness reflects a political generationGen Z - shaped by ideological division and digital activism “I grew up in West Virginia during the statewide teacher strike So, I was out of school for a month That was another catalyst for me to see how important it is to participate in local and state elections.”
Even now, Wilt acknowledges the fatigue and skepticism felt by many youths around elections and voting “At least in the near future polarization will continue to be an issue It’s been an issue the past, like, what, 10 years?” Wilt’s work in Virginia is playing a key role in combating these challenges while also recognizing the unique campus context young civic leaders are working in
Civic Leadershi
Addressing Political En
One of Wilt’ s greatest insigh variety of campus communities large state school, versus I gra liberal arts private college students are totally different i them.” She’ s worked with stu black colleges and universiti institutions, and military veteran “You have to get creative and y the folks in that communi traditionally do - tabling, hos things don’t always work ”
Active listening is a key c necessary for providing collegematerials and education to mak inside and outside the ballot b “What are the goals [students] or even as an individual... And articulate what it is that they w program ” Being an intentiona Amber argues, is clear to estab for civic leaders so that time effectively allocated to projects
But she’ s also learned patience that we ’ ve done has been slow starting with nothing and trying that can take several semester she understands the deeper organizing “You can ’t really talk acknowledging racial equity… justified distrust in the system… that down is critical ”
A Unique Generation in a
Wilt represents a generation t permission to lead, especially in engagement never stops. “We she says of Virginia. “We have ele
That constant electoral cyc Virginia’ s regional complexitySouthwest, politically purplecivic engagement are always different depending on the regio a makeup of voters in this one different from one another complexity and bridgebuilding is the impact of her civic leadershi
And yet, she sees a deeper thr to wait for someone else to ma insists “You can be a part of it ”
WrittenbyEmmaWilliamson,BA(‘25)
CivicLeadershipIntern
In theheartofVirginia, civic leadership grows from local passions and a deep commitment to opportunity within communities As Dr Omar Faison put it to me in our interview, “I probably would not necessarily consider myself to be that much of a civic leader but I am involved” That refrain reveals a powerful truth: anyone can be a civic leader, and often, those who say they aren’t civic leaders are the ones doing the most meaningful work
Faison serves on the boards of the Virginia Farmers Market Association (VAFMA) and Friends of the Lower Appomattox River - organizations rooted in local vitality, environmental stewardship, and public health His journey illustrates not only the everyday impact of civic engagement but also the complex challenges that leaders face across the Commonwealth of Virginia today.
CivicLeadershipasAction: “AnybodyCanDoThisWork”
Rather than aspiring to political office, Dr Faison’s leadership emerged from community involvement From high school clubs and 4-H to academic mentoring and local board service, his views of civic leadership stem from moving into research administration and trying to address local public problems
Dr Faison grew up in a household of civic leaders, noting, “I grew up in Emporia [VA] My dad's family was from there. They were very civically oriented,
Dr.Omar Faison
PresidentofVirginiaFarmersMarket AssociationBoard
Petersburg,VA
a lot of NAACP meetings and dinners and programs when I was growing up My Uncle Garland was on the Board of Supervisors [at Virginia State University] He was on there for 10 years He was actually the first African American to be elected to any public position down there. So that's sort of the influence that I had around”
Being a civic leader, he describes himself in practical terms: “I try to advocate, I try to help bring resources, right? So, whether it’s writing grants,” or “trying to bring some of the expertise that we have here to be able to help support the different organizations” At the farmers market and at VSU where he works, Faison tries to levy his own expertise to help address community issues
Even his personal growth as a leader is a testament to the everyday learning civic engagement requires: “I am not necessarily a talker that’s really where [civic leadership] comes, is becoming more and more comfortable in the one-on-one conversations and walking up to someone who I don’t necessarily know and doing that introduction” Leadership, in his eyes, is an evolving practice.
PolarizationandChangingDemographicsinVirginia
Virginia is in flux - politically, culturally, and demographically - and these shifts are felt acutely in places like farmers markets “It’s definitely forced us to become more intentional with the words that we use and the way that we construct our narratives.” Faison shared. While the organizations he works with are nonpartisan, the environment demands thoughtful messaging to maintain broad support and funding:
“We are right now having to think about what our language needs to be so that the grants that we have we can keep”
Changing demographics also shapes outreach efforts. “Food access, everybody needs food access, rich people, poor people, whatever, right?” But addressing these needs effectively requires acknowledging deeper patterns “If we know that a place like Petersburg is a food desert , do we take out the fact that Petersburg has one of the highest Black populations in the state from that conversation? Probably not, or you probably shouldn’t”
Faison highlights that there are challenging problems people do not want to discuss Overcoming those types of barriers has been an issue in Richmond and Petersburg. He observed that the desire to avoid race in public discourse “cripples the ability to have the full range of conversations that you need and to do the sort of work that really needs to get done in the communities” In a polarized world, civic leadership must still find ways to share a full story of their community.
TheChallengeofFunding: “There’sJustNoMoneyforThis”
Perhaps the most consistent and pressing issue raised in my conversation with Dr Faison is the lack of stable, accessible funding for community-based work “Everything is tied to grants,” he said “And those grants take time to write, and then you don’t get them, and then what?”
Even when successful, the administrative burden is heavy: “You spend more time administering the grant than actually doing the work it’s supposed to fund” The situation is precarious and often inequitableespecially for grassroots organizations with fewer resources to begin with.
He recounted how VAFMA itself “ was actually founded from a grant that was written by one of the folks over in [VSU’s] College of Agriculture” Sustaining such organizations, however, requires more than startup capital. Without reliable, longterm investment, the leadership pipeline dries up, and communities are left unsupported
BridgingDifferencesAcrossComplexDivides
Faison’s work highlights the complexity of collaboration across race, politics, and class In discussing the dual mission of VAFMA, he pointed out, “There are two main narratives... one is more the food access narrative... the other is that we are
advocating for groups that are now basically small businesses” These differing audiences require different framing and honesty and transparency
“Sometimes it’s hard not to be bitter,” he admitted, especially when institutions fail to reckon with historic inequities “Almost every one of our major social issues are magnified within racial groups And the desire to separate them out makes everybody’s work harder” And yet, Faison’s work insists on bringing people together around shared concernshealth, transparency in data, and opportunity.
MakinganImpact
What drives Faison to continue despite substantive obstacles? Impact “If they’re not in some way making students’ lives better or making it better in the community, then what was the point?”
His projects, like the Data Science for the Public Good Summer Program at Virginia State University and a new initiative tackling cancer health disparities, offer students opportunities to learn and lead “I think having that clear focus on your measurables and the impact that you ’ re having is really important for any of our civic leaders,” he emphasized. Even failure, he argued, can be productive: “You could have had civic engagement, invested resources But the outcomes weren’t there and the other thing you can start to learn, though, is how do I do this better?”
This reflective practice is part of what makes civic leadership more sustainable. “I do debriefs in some of my specific programs, ” he said Learning from the work ensures that the next round will be more inclusive, more intentional, and more impactful
Schuyler Schuyler VanValkenburg VanValkenburg
Teacher and Member of the Senate of Virginia
Henrico County, VA
Written by Mason Hoey (‘25) Democracy Fellow
Few civic leaders are more equipped to bridge the gap between theory and practice than Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg. “Well, why don't you run?” - a simple question that fueled a veteran civics teacher at Glen Allen High School into a three-term Delegate turned State Senator
VanValkenburg embodies civic leadership in both the classroom and the capitol “I’ ve taught government my whole career 20 years teaching in Henrico County Public Schools,” he says “It felt very natural to go from talking about [civic engagement] in the classroom to... [doing] it.”
This dual experience has forged a deep belief in the power of civic leadership not as abstract principle but as daily practice. VanValkenburg brings his teaching style to politics and his political experiences back into the classroom. “Educating kids to be good citizens, I think, is one of the most important things we can do.”
Throughout his teaching career, VanValkenburg has taken a special interest in civics and government. To honor his commitments to himself and his students, he believes in following his own advice of being civically engaged and caring about government and democracy However, it’s his teaching of high school students that leads him to embrace civic leadership through the classroom in addition to General Assembly meetings.
CivicLeadershipasPractice
VanValkenburg’s political career began not out of ambition, but conviction “I had been telling my students, ‘ you have to be civically engaged,’ and at the time, I just wasn’t So I went to my local Henrico Democrats meeting and said, ‘Hey, I’m new here I want to be involved’ They said, ‘Why don’t you run?’” He did - and won. What followed was a series of legislative victories grounded in community needs “We’ve made so much progress Medicaid expansion is a very real example - 25,000 people in Henrico County have healthcare because of it” One constituent told him, “He has healthcare for the first time in like 20 years… It was pretty rewarding.”
Some of the greatest civic leaders, from the Founders to MLK Jr, understood the importance of the government working for the people As a teacher, he “meet[s] all [of] those [ ] kids where they are ” because he knows he needs to express these ideals to his students to get them passionate about being civically engaged. When asked what motivates him as a civic leader-teacher, he enthusiastically responded, “I just love it I love history and I love political science and I love talking about it I love reading about it It's a discipline that I love interacting with And then secondly, I just like being around people and particularly being around kids and educating, right? Helping educate them. It's a really rewarding job... It's a job where you know you get to do something that betters your community and you get to help kids be their best selves”
TheoryandPracticeinaPurpleState
Virginia’s unique landscape creates opportunities for civic leaders to work across divides. Virginia’s culture is a mix of urban and rural, culturally north and culturally south, and VanValkenburg is located in the middle of a county that is both urban and rural, north and south As VanValkenburg notes, it’s a population with “ a little bit of everything; geographically, we got a little bit of everything; politically, we got a little bit of everything; ethnically, racially, religiously, we got it all... a little northern, a little southern.”
As a civic leader, VanValkenburg has to understand and navigate these opportunities Throughout his leadership, he had to overcome changes in his district boundaries He helped move Virginia from the second-hardest state to
vote in to the ninth easiest state to vote in within his first two years of office Yet he finds Virginia’s legislative culture more cooperative than Washington’s “We are not as ideologically polarized as the rest of the country… We still do basic governance together: passing budgets, addressing mental health, infrastructure.” Why? “Virginia has good legislative rules and we ’ ve managed to keep partisanship from getting personal”
As a teacher, he draws on this balance daily “In the classroom, I don’t do much partisan conversation… I try to focus on constitutional interpretation… We’re funneling [issues] through American values that we all agree with It takes the temperature out of the room ”
TheClassroomasTraining GroundforCivicSkillbuilding
Although he is careful to not bring his own opinions into the classroom, VanValkenburg is clear that the classroom has been the best training ground for a career in politics. The necessity of collaboration, trustbuilding, and battling skeptical student-constituents has led to a daily practice session of civic leadership skills “I got to be able to meet these kids where they are They need to trust me, right? They need to see a reason to think [civics and government] is important And you can't do that if you ' re polarizing, right? So a good teacher is going to go out of their way to try to bring everyone together.”
He is clear eyed about the challenges of bringing people together, and that sometimes he fails helping his students and constituents find common groundsomething that often happens in communities. “It just means that it just means you ' re trying and you ' re putting in the effort and kids see it,” VanValkenburg says,
“And I think politics is the same way in that regard” The connective thread between a career as an elected official and as a teacher is summed up in the concepts of relationships and trust: “You're trying to create this environment where there's trust, there's respect, there's buy-in”
Stacey Stacey Metcalfe Metcalfe
Executive Director & CEO
Morven Park Center for Civic Impact
Leesburg, VA
Written by Kieran Fensterwald Democracy Fellow
“You get involved in local initiatives, local government, and local nonprofits.” These are the words of Stacey Metcalfe, Executive Director and CEO of Morven Park Center for Civic Impact, reflecting her suggestions for the best advice and practices for citizens to be involved in their community Metcalfe is no stranger to community and local involvement in her home of Leesburg, Virginia Through her own work in the nonprofit sector, historical sites, and as the former Chair of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, her widespread community involvement has provided her with a significant perspective into civic leadership practices
Outside of the beautiful scenery, international equestrian center, and historic mansion, the Morven Park Center for Civic Impact plays a critical role in civic engagement, creating ties between Morven Park and Loudoun County Public Schools. When talking about the Center's work, she describes it as a space for citizens in Leesburg and the broader county and how it fosters a culture of “stewardship advocacy” - serving your community Working directly with youth and educators of Loudoun opens the door to creating long-term change, building civic confidence in the next generation of citizens in our shared community
CivicLeadershipintheContextof AmericanCivicEducationAdvocacy
In tandem with the values that Metcalfe holds, she argues that advocacy, volunteerism, and engagement are uniquely American ideals that tie closely into how to create better communities. Through her work with the Center for Civic Impact, they have instilled these ideals in their education programs to help students of all ages know that they can make a civic impact From encouraging elementary students to speak up for new ice cream flavors in the cafeteria, to educating middle and high school students on how to approach divisive topics and build their civic knowledge, the Centers’ work is a prime example of a practical approach to not only engaging in your community and its stakeholders, but being able to provide the citizens of tomorrow with the skills they need to participate in civic life.
PolarizationandChangingDemographics
Metcalfe’s position offers a distinct perspective on how the history of Virginia and our current political climate intertwine One initiative that she is most proud of is Morven Park’s 246 Years Project Prior to the occupancy of Governor Westmoreland Davis, Morven Park was an active plantation enslaving upwards 80 men, women and children.
Prior to 1865, there are little to no ancestral records for many African American communities, including some in Loudoun County With this in mind, Morven Park is taking the initiative to create a genealogical system for members of the community to bring to light their family lineages that have been lost for decades
She states, “Acknowledging that it's not just African American history, it's American history” Reconning with and reconnecting our communities with our difficult past is vital to the fabric of our American community, as well as how we struggle today to combat political divides in communities “I don't want civic leadership to be so intertwined with politics, right?” Metcalfe identifies polarization and civic leadership are not as inherently connected as we might think it is and aims to combat this mentality and build connections through the physical space and civic programming.
Addressingbarriers:Balanceandworkwith differentpeopleandstructurestoaddressissues.
Morven Park is not only a historic site, but one with many stakeholders and partners From Loudoun County Public Schools to equestrian partners, historians, parents, students, and local businesses, managing these stakeholders is vital to its success. This management is just another space where Metcalfe shines From her vast network of connections to her open-mindedness in approaching partnerships across different sectors and viewpoints, these values are key to creating ties inside and outside the mansion to create positive change.
“Civic engagement is goodness, right?” From engaging with partners and stakeholders to the community members you serve, civic engagement is an act of goodness It’s an act of care and understanding that, as a civic leader, is key to our mission to be public servants: a public servant like Stacey Metcalfe
WrittenbyKaseyThompson
CivicLeadershipIntern
Bridget Manley doesn’t call herself a civic leader. She calls herself a journalist But in her own words, “The Citizen was a civic leader” And if the paper is, she is too.
Manley believes journalism’s core purpose is to “shed sunshine,” giving voice to stories that are too often ignored As one of three co-publishers of The Citizen, an independent news source serving Harrisonburg, Manley works at the intersection of journalism and democracy - fighting misinformation, telling untold stories, and upholding the truth, one deeply reported article at a time “We're this little steam engine of truth,” she says, “just trying to fight its way through the fog of all of this information, real information, misinformation, disinformation” In this way, local journalists serve as critical leaders of civic life.
Manley’s path into civic journalism wasn’t linear A Maryland native, Manley moved to Virginia eight years ago, bringing with her a background in radio journalism from stations in Cumberland and Annapolis. “We moved here and I sort of brought a job with me had our babies and then I was stay-athome for a little bit” But when her children grew older, “I started to think about, you know, we ' re here in Harrisonburg I was a reporter, what can I look around at my community and do?”
That question led her to The Citizen. “It was really exciting to be a part of this new media landscape
Bridget Manley
Publisher of The Citizen
Harrisonburg,VA
I say it all the time that Harrisonburg is really, really lucky We have WHSV, the [Daily News Record], The Breeze WMRA, and The Citizen We’ve got all of these media organizations in town” For Manley, civic leadership is about telling stories that matter: “We wanted to do longer pieces… more investigative journalism To be a part of telling those stories, I think, is really, really cool” All this effort is in pursuit of what Manley sees as the civic importance of civic journalism: helping people make more informed decisions about their community
TheCivicPowerofJournalism
What sets The Citizen apart is its commitment to investigative storytelling and its willingness to tackle complex topics - like racial equity and historical issues - that shape Harrisonburg today This allows Manley to contribute to the democratic landscape of the city and take action toward change. “If we don’t understand the history of where we are, it is hard to now understand from a modern perspective,” Manley said Her work has helped highlight stories like those of the Lucy Simms School, the Thomas Harrison House and the renaming of several buildings on the James Madison University campus
Operating in a politically diverse region has shaped Manley’s philosophy of fairness and depth “The city and the county are so different a very progressive city inside a very conservative county being a civic leader here in Harrisonburg requires a lot of understanding of different viewpoints, of empathy.” Yet, Manley approaches these tensions with empathy and a commitment to truth-telling across ideological lines She said that The Citizen’s mission is to cover
these stories in a way that is “in-depth, truthful but also honors the people, telling us their stories across the political spectrum”
Similarly, Manley is aware of the emotional toll of working in the journalism industry today, especially in a time of growing misinformation and polarization: “There have been threats. We have not gotten them. We've gotten trolls But there have been legitimate threats to reporters It’s scary ” At times she wonders: “How are we as reporters collectively going to keep thinking that this is a fun thing to do?” Yet, she remains committed
“Whatmattersisthetruth Soyoualwayshavetoput asidehowyoufeelaboutsomething,always Youalmost buryit ItisaconstantexercisetosayIhavetobe objectiveinthissituationandtherearetruthsonboth sides,nomatterhowpassionatelyanybodyfeels,you havetofindwhat'strue Soit'sjustaconstantexerciseof notbringingyourselfintoyourstories Youdecenter, always,always,always,always ”
TheFightforLocalCivicJournalism
Funding remains a constant challenge. The Citizen operates entirely on reader donations. “It’s hard to get people to pay for news, ” she admits More funding would mean the ability to hire full-time reporters and deepen coverage Still, Harrisonburg’s “engaged, active citizenry” keeps her going “They value the truth They value our service”
Painting a stark picture of local news economics, Manley shares the realities of journalists as civic leaders: “We all have full-time jobs [outside of journalism] so we can eat food All of our reporters are also part-time” She connects shrinking newsrooms to democratic harm. “If we were able to pay reporters more… to be on beats… foster relationships then we would be able to cover more
That is the thing that hampers the democratic process ” Despite the obstacles, the mission remains “With greater reader support, with more money coming in, we would be able to hire reporters fulltime That’s how we keep democracy afloat”
Manley also champions partnerships - collaborating with organizations like The James Madison Center for Civic Engagement to host public forums and promote democratic dialogue She’s disheartened by the growing number of politicians and citizens who refuse to participate in these events but is nevertheless proud to be providing the service
Manley sees these events as “invaluable” No matter the news outlet’s current state regarding funding, being a part of facilitating open access to information and dialogue is valuable to Manley as a reporter in upholding the journalistic process
One of her top priorities is diversifying The Citizen’ s newsroom Manley acknowledges the limits of her own perspective and is actively working to include more voices from across the community “We’re always on the hunt for writers who can write those stories from their perspectives, because me as a middle-aged white woman, I can write those stories, but I don't have their specific perspective that I think would be valuable”
ReportingAcrossCultural, Ideological,andPoliticalBarriers
At a time when trust in media and institutions is declining, Manley is still chugging along with that steam engine of truth, carrying the civic life of her community on rails forged by honesty, accountability, and care
“We answer to the readers,” she says simply “The community The citizens That’s who we serve ”
Virginia Beach City Council
VirginiaBeach,VA
Written by Mason Hoey
Democracy Fellow
As a graduate of George Mason University, the University of Virginia Political Leaders Program, and the Old Dominion University CIVIC Leadership program, Berlucchi’s views on civic leadership focus on the value of being present and part of a community, in collaboration, and listening to people with different views “My tenure in public service has been more characterized by collaboration than it has by barriers that have been placed,” said Berlucchi His philosophy has formed over years of showing up in his community –at grocery stores, in civic leagues, and the everyday encounters that build connections.
LocalCivicLeadershipforElectedOfficials
Underlying Berlucchi’s civic leadership philosophy is the idea that elected officials need to have relationships and trust with their constituents “You’re also closest to the people you serve So I run into constituents in the grocery store, at the car place, you know, at 7-Eleven” For Berlucchi, being approachable in the community builds trust and creates accountability. “Serving on the local level has been very rewarding in that respect”
Berlucchi began his work like most other civic leaders by “getting involved in volunteer work and supporting nonprofits.” He felt that by working with those whose missions he was passionate about and believed in, he could make a difference and help his community However, he felt that this wasn’t enough and true success wouldn’t be possible “without policymakers who shared [those] visions” He started working to find his voice and decided to get more involved, collaborating with local politicians who shared his views, supporting candidates and eventually running for office when a council seat became vacant
CivicLeadersasModelsforProductiveDisagreements
Berlucchi is a firm believer in the value of debate and dialogue about difficult issues “Smart people can disagree, and that's good” This mindset allows him to serve his community, “whether you ' re a Republican, you ' re a Democrat, or you ' re an independent, [we] work together very collaboratively”
That said, negative partisanship does sometimes rear its head “We’ve had some votes on firearms We’ve had some votes on reproductive health… that have been kind of partisan. And then you see people break out into their party affiliations” But even those moments, he insists, aren’t necessarily harmful “When partisan divides are informed by thoughtful philosophies, it can actually be a productive conversation” Although Berlucchi recognizes polarization at the national scale, he finds that while working locally, “ we ' re much more connected as neighbors than we are as partisan figures.”
CivicLeadershipSkillsforService
Through his time in public service, Berlucchi has developed two particular civic skills that have been key to his success as a city councilperson: listening and resiliency. In reflecting on his years in elected office, he shares how important listening with empathy and an open mind is to being an effective civic leader, “In council work where people are expressing their points of view on a variety of topics it's very important to listen, to pay attention to be receptive to diverse points of view And understand sometimes you have to place yourself in someone else's shoes and think about how a policy or a specific item that we ' re considering might affect people in different ways ”
On the other hand, elected civic leaders have to defend their views and not take criticisms personally Balancing this tension between listening and defending can be tough for civic leaders as it requires being open to different views while also being logical:
“People sometimes can be mean if you have a position that someone doesn't agree with Sometimes they feel if you ’ re a council member or an elected official that that gives them license to say all kinds of things...You have to be mindful. You have to be considerate of other points of view But at the end of the day, when you make a decision, if that decision is based in logic and it's based on sound principles You have to be prepared to defend that position And to be tough about it”
This may be a hard mindset to adopt for civic leaders as “it's not always normal to have” that kind of thick skin It’s that balance - of logical reasoning and empathy, of toughness and resiliency - that defines Berlucchi’s civic leadership today In a polarized time, he offers a reminder that the most essential civic skills aren’t radical - they’re relational. “It’s more authentic… it’s a better way to show up and be accessible to the people you serve. ”
Douglas Douglas Straley Straley
Superintendent of Louisa County Public Schools
Louisa County, VA
Written
by Emma Williamson Civic Leadership Intern
Douglas Straley doesn’t just lead - he serves As the longtime superintendent of Louisa County Public Schools (LCPS), he’s turned the school system into a nationally recognized model noted for its positive culture, ability to navigate change, and student-first education. His philosophy? Civic leadership is about connections, team building and collaboration, and giving that one extra degree of effort Or, as he puts it, going “212”
CivicLeadershipasCollaboration
Straley has been the superintendent of Louisa County Public Schools for the last nine years and has worked there for over thirty years: “43 years if you include being a student for 13 years prior!” Reflecting on his own background in the area, “This is a community in which I grew up, so it's even more special that I can give back in a community that gave so much to me when I was a kid” For Straley, civic leadership is deeply personal. “I just love helping people. I love to make people's lives better. And that’s why I enjoy getting up and going to work every day”
At the heart of his leadership is a philosophy he calls Team LCPS: “Our students, our staff, our families, and our entire community. All 41,000 people that live in this community are on this team.” To build that culture, he introduced six “non-negotiables”: support, high expectations, accountability, consistency, positivity, and grit These are reinforced every Friday through MVP awards and a community-wide video update “Every Friday, I go out and give out these awards… A teacher, a student, a staff member, and a community member. We’ve had over 400 nominations a week for nine years ”
CivicLeadershipThroughChange
While a lifelong member of the Louisa community, Straley knows the challenges of leading in a divided time “We're a diverse community different backgrounds, different ideas.” And while conflict has rocked school divisions elsewhere across the state and nationally, Louisa County has managed to steer clear, “We’re very transparent unifying people, not dividing people”
Even when confronted by disagreement, Straley values and models respectful dialogue and bridgebuilding, “If someone disagrees with me or has a strong view against something we ' re trying to do, I will go meet with them I will call them I will go have lunch with them” This civic ethic is core to his leadership “I want to go learn from them and understand why they feel the way they feel. And I want them to learn from me. Often you can draw a
common ground that doesn't butt heads”
Not butting heads, but rather deep and active listening is a skillset that Straley has developed as a civic leader I asked how he would approach a situation when a parent or individual feels their child does not have similar opportunities as others; Straley responded by explaining that he would address the issue directly and have a sit-down, face-to-face talk with the parent and child to understand their perspective and do everything in his power to make these opportunities available so the child could reach their full potential. For Straley, that support is a must
Civic discourse marked by dialogue and positive disagreement are important parts of Straley’s view of civic leadership When LCPS went cell-phone free in its’ schools, Virginia and national officials took notice. Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr visited this past year to learn more about the impact of phonefree schools Things could have gotten out of hand, but due to the civic ethos instilled in the district by Straley, the visit was marked by dialogue and deliberation and an effort to understand pros and cons of the issue:
“They need to be able to have conversations that are respectful And I say that from Monday's visit Not everyone agrees with the politics of Governor Youngkin. Not everyone agrees with the politics of Secretary Kennedy. Many people do. Many people don't, right? That's part of the democratic process But every single student in that building was respectful, and yes, they're handshaking, and they had conversations, and they agreed to disagree on conversations That's what it's supposed to be about, and that's what's for me what's important, and that's how you get results in the end, is to be able to have conversations where we can disagree, but then hopefully find common ground to get to a great solution.”
In a cafeteria once known for fights, Straley now sees students “talking, playing cards, playing gamesnot glued to their phones” The effort to find common ground and have difficult discussions about wicked issues makes LCPS rare among Virginia’s school districts “Governor Youngkin and Secretary Kennedy… said you really realize you all have something special here. The culture here is like nothing we ' ve ever seen ”
FundingChallengesandResponsibility
The first non-negotiable Straley instills in Louisa County Public Schools is support Without support, there can be no significant change or accomplishments on your own; civic leaders need a community to strive towards their goals “I can’t support 5,000 students on my own, but a small group of administrators can make sure they’re supporting their teachers, who support their students; the support chain is so important that we often get lost within education and forget the people in the middle” Making sure the staff is supported within LCPS is essential to overcome the support barrier that, as mentioned, can be lost within the education system. Monetary funding will always be a barrier; there is no way around achieving certain aspects of a school division without funding from the people and the state
As for motivation, “What really motivates me is that I love to serve people; I just love to serve people and make people’s lives better Enjoying every day and getting to do what I love” Perspectives change over time and being involved in the community for such a long time; much growth has come along with the changes over the decades Understanding how to overcome these barriers has become a central focus of Straley’s civic and education work.
TheCivicPowerof“212”: OneDegreeMakestheDifference
Throughout our long conversation, one story from Straley’s many leadership lessons capture his civic leadership philosophy best It started with a taxi ride in Tampa, Florida
“I got this cab driver… ‘I’m Taxi Tim.’” he said. “And from the start, he treated me like a VIP. Took me to a baseball game, introduced me to the assistant general manager, even had a cold drink ready for me the next morning - my favorite Starbucks drink” Straley was stunned “He could’ve just said, get in, give me your money, get out But he made my whole experience a better day.” From that encounter, Straley drew inspiration: “I want to be like that guy. I want to be a servant to others I want to make people’s lives better every day”
Out of that moment came the motto 212" “At 211 degrees, water’s hot. At 212, it boils. And with steam, you can power a train. That one extra degree makes all the difference” 212 is now a way of life at LCPS “We celebrate 212 Day every February 12th we put out a big video to the students about why it’s important to go 212 at what you do That extra effort matters”
Straley even wears a 212 pin every day - visible proof of his commitment to civic-servant leadership and the small choices that drive big change
Better Conversations Together at JMU
Better Conversations Together is a collection of programs that help JMU students develop 21st-century skills for talking about difficult, complex issues across different points of view. As the model of an engaged university, JMU is leading the nation in providing robust, considered, and transformative learning experiences that prepare students to navigate challenging disagreementswithcuriosityandrespect
The program features two options for in-depth learning and skill-building, each with distinct objectives and methods. All first-year and new transfer students are automatically enrolled in the Better Conversations Together: Deliberation track as part of orientation, where they engage in a 90-minute deliberation facilitated by trained undergraduate Democracy Fellows following completion of two e-learning modules The Dialogue track is open to the entire student body and offers additional opportunities to build skills through one-on-one facilitated conversationsthatencouragelisteningandreflectionacrossdifferences.
Faculty and staff have opportunities for professional development in this area through a partnership with the Center for Faculty Innovation The Madison Center also offers Better ConversationsTogetherworkshopsforstudentclubsandorganizations
Editors
Dr. Kara Dillard
Editor In Chief
ecutive Director, Madison nter for Civic Engagement
Kieran Fensterwald
Democracy Fellow
Political Science Major;
Civic Leadership Minor (‘26)
Emma Williamson, BA
Civic Leadership Intern
Political Science Major;
Civic Leadership Minor (‘25)
Dylan Bencivengo, BA
Copy Editor
Political Science Major (‘25)
Geography Minor
Madison Center Staff
Dr. Kara Dillard
Executive Director
Dr. Monica McEnerny Interim Associate Director
Logan Zeigler Program Coordinator
Dr. Margaret Sloan Faculty Fellow
Aidan Heitt Better Conversations Together Program Manager
Jonathan Berrang Presidential Engagement Fellow
Luke Sausville
Graduate Assistant and Sr. Democracy Fellow
Jonathan Berrang, BA Design Editor
Madison Center for Civic Engagement
Mason Hoey
Democracy Fellow
Political Science Major; Classical Studies Minor (‘25)
Kasey Thompson
Civic Leadership Intern
Journalism Major;
Civic Leadership Minor (‘27)
Sarah Riley, BA
Copy Editor
Psychology Major (‘25) Honors Interdiscip Studies Minor
2024-25 Democracy Fellows
Abby Fornadel
Alexia Politis
Annika Thompson
Bubuney Havi
Caden VanValkenburg
Caroline Woodson
Daniella Arana
Dylan Bencivengo
Ella Crangle
Emily Lowe
Emma Sellers
Erin Harris
Iman Najeeb
Madison Center Advisory Boards
Internal Advisory Board
Ryan Alessi
Ben Blankenship
Brandi Duncan
Michael Gubser
Vesna Hart
John Lee
Dena Pastor
Emma Thacker
Cyril Uy II
Traci Wile
Jameson Balda
Kathleen Curry
Kieran Fensterwald
Mason Hoey
Mia Buswell
Mina Hakimpour
Molly Hoyle
Reagan Polarek
Ryan Bre
Sabrina Burns
Sam Koenemann
Sarah Riley
Zahra Tawana
External Advisory Board
Wilma Bowers
Matt Carr
Steve Hufford
Elizabeth Vickrey Lodal
A. Raleigh Marshall
Woodson Martin
Arthur Moats
Deanna Reed
Russ Reeder
Jennifer Park Stout
Doug Trout
About Civic Leadership at JMU
JamesMadisonUniversitydefinesengagementinthreeprimaryways:engagedlearning,community engagement, and civic engagement In advancing the legacy of James Madison, Father of the Constitution, we define civic engagement as preparing individuals to be active and responsible participantsinarepresentativedemocracydedicatedtothecommongood
The Madison Center for Civic Engagement is the hub of civic leadership at JMU. The Center hosts civic leadership and facilitation training for students, faculty and staff, conducts research, and provides experiential civic skillbuilding opportunities for students. The Madison Center directs the state’s only civic leadership minor, helping accomplish one of our highest priorities at JMU. With our proximity to Washington D.C. and active alumni base within public service fields, this minor also provides keyworkforcedevelopmentforawidevarietyofinternshipsandcareerpaths.
Through an introductory course, coursework offered across all eight colleges, and an internship with report, creative works portfolio/project, or individual research, students and faculty will work together to explore democracy’s biggest problems and develop civic-oriented solutions that emphasize leadershipforthecommongood
The minor’s academic home is in the College of Arts and Letters Dean’s Office and managed by the Madison Center for Civic Engagement Faculty from the Madison Center and doctoral students from the School of Strategic Leadership Studies in the College of Business are instructors of record for the civicleadershipcourses
In Fall 2026, the Madison Center and the Office of Residential Life will offer a Residential Learning Community (RLC) focusing on civic leadership. Students will explore the mechanics of democracy, participate in experiential learning with field trips to Montpelier, Richmond and Washington DC, and buildreal-worldcivicleadershipskillsallwhilelivinginthenewlyrenovatedAlgerHall.
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James Madison Center for Civic Engagement
MSC 7808, 820 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
(540) 568-7549
civic@jmu edu
jmu edu/civic
About the Madison Center for Civic Engagement
Our mission is to educate and inspire people to address public issues and cultivate the common good in our democracy
As a nonpartisan unit, the Madison Center emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge to make one a more informed participant in our democracy, skills to make one a more effective participant, and values that embrace the common good
What the Madison Center does:
We build year-round voter education and engagement initiatives with students, faculty and staff. We integrate civic learning opportunities in courses and academic programs with faculty and departments across campus.
We provide resources for students to learn about and discuss public issues in an academic environment, and to develop and implement plans for informed participation in civic life. We collaborate with JMU's Center for Assessment & Research Studies to assess civic learning. We work alongside community, state and national partners on civic learning initiatives and events.
To learn more about the Center, visit www.jmu.edu/civic
