Democracy & Debate 2023-24
A university-wide educational initiative, Democracy & Debate encourages students, faculty, staff, and the Michigan community to explore the exchange of ideas and free speech, the responsibilities of members of a democratic society, structural inequalities in our democratic systems, the power of the voice of the individual voter, and democracy from a local to a global perspective.
Democracy & Debate seeks to establish habits of active and informed democratic engagement as we continue to grapple with the multiple challenges that confront our nation and our world.
Dean Co-Chairs
- Anne Curzan, Dean, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
- Celeste Watkins-Hayes, Dean, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
Supporting Schools/Colleges/Units
- Alumni Association of the University of Michigan
- Center for Academic Innovation
- College of Engineering
- College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
- Edward Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning
- Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
- Institute for Social Research
- Life Sciences Institute
- National Center for Institutional Diversity
- Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Rackham Graduate School
- Ross School of Business
- School for Environment and Sustainability
- School of Education
- School of Information
- School of Kinesiology
- School of Music, Theatre & Dance
- School of Social Work
- Student Life
- University of Michigan Museum of Art
- Wallace House Center for Journalists
Core Team
Team Members
- Catherine Carver, Lead, Democracy & Debate 2023-24
- Cindy Bank, Associate Director of Policymaker Engagement, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
- Nadia Bazzy, Director, Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs
- Erica Colaianne, Interim Director of Social Media and Public Engagement
- Chrisstina Hamilton, Director, Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series and Witt Visiting Artist Program
- Meera Herle, President, Central Student Government
- Rusty Hills, Lecturer, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
- Nicholas Martens, Vice President for Education, Turn up Turnout
- Akhila Mullapudi, Government Relations Coordinator, Central Student Government
- Susan Pile, Senior Director, University Unions & Auxiliary Services
- Travis Radina, Senior Associate Director, Alumni Advocacy, Alumni Association of the University of Michigan
- Rose Reilly, President, Turn up Turnout
- Michael Rein, Director of Community Relations, Office of the Vice President for Government Relations
- Janice Reuben, University Engagement Manager, Alumni Association of the University of Michigan
- Marie Ting, Assistant Vice Provost for Equity, Inclusion & Academic Affairs
- Dave Waterhouse, Associate Director, Edward Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning
- Ann Zalucki, Associate Director Film Office/Training & Events Manager, Facilities & Operations
