The Center for Catholic Citizenship advances the study, renewal, and advancement of citizenship enlivened by fidelity to the Catholic Church and the principles of the American founding. Its overall aim is to promote the virtues of citizenship through the study of Catholic social teaching and the best of the classical liberal tradition within the moderate Enlightenment. The Center prepares undergraduates for constructive and practical engagement in political life by promoting a civic education that explores the historical and moral underpinnings of republican and constitutional government as well as the rights of persons, especially as these relate to religion, speech, and property. In this vein, the Center also explores the Catholic Church’s engagement in domestic politics and international relations, where it advocates for peace and justice, promotes religious freedom, and supports democratization and development.
The Center facilitates serious discussion and reflection about Catholic citizenship at Ave Maria University and beyond by sponsoring lectures, colloquia, and symposia. The Center also cultivates and supports students, nourished within the living traditions of their faith and their country, for placement in competitive internships and entry level positions with elected officials, think tanks, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.
The Center for Catholic Citizenship is housed within the Politics Department at Ave Maria University. The Politics Department has achieved the distinction of being a center for excellence at the University. Its excellence is reflected in the prestige of its alumni, its established history of superlative performance by seniors on the major field test in political science, and its well-deserved reputation within the University for rigor and comprehensiveness in the domains of political thought, American government, international relations, and comparative politics.
The Center for Catholic Citizenship is housed within the Politics Department at Ave Maria University. The Politics Department has achieved the distinction of being a center for excellence at the University. Its excellence is reflected in the prestige of its alumni, its established history of superlative performance by seniors on the major field test in political science, and its well-deserved reputation within the University for rigor and comprehensiveness in the domains of political thought, American government, international relations, and comparative politics.
Dr. John Colman is Professor of Politics and Director of the Honors Program. Professor Colman earned his doctorate from Boston College in 2005. Prior to coming to Ave Maria University in 2008, he taught atAshland University and Goucher College. He is author of Lucretius as Theorist of Political Life (Palgrave Macmillan, 2012) and Everyone Orthodox to Himself: John Locke and His American Students on Religion and Liberal Society (University Press of Kansas, 2023). He has also published articles in Perspectives on Political Science and the Journal of American Political Thought. His current research focuses on the origins of classical liberalism in the thought of Michel de Montaigne.
Dr. James M. Patterson is Associate Professor of Politics at Ave Maria University, the President of the Ciceronian Society, a Research Fellow at the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy, and the author of Religion in the Public Square: Sheen, King, Falwell (University of Pennsylvania, 2019). He received his B.A. in Political Science and Media Studies at the University of Houston in 2002 and his Ph.D. in American Politics from the University of Virginia in 2012.
Dr. Seana Sugrue holds the Ambassador Michael Novak Chair of Politics at Ave Maria University, where she has previously served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty. Prior to arriving at Ave Maria University in 2004, she served as Associate Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University. She has taught constitutional law and civil liberties for more than 20 years. Her writings are in the fields of separation of powers, religious liberty, civil society and marriage, as well as civil disobedience. A dynamic speaker and caring professor, she is among Ave Maria University’s most popular faculty members to students and alumni. She has mentored a generation of Ave students in discerning their careers in law and public service and serves as the University’s pre-law advisor. She acquired her LL.B. from the University of Ottawa and her LL.M. and D.C.L. from McGill University.
Dr. Lidiya Zubytska is an Assistant Professor with the Department of Politics at Ave Maria University. She specializes in foreign policy analysis, including domestic factors shaping foreign policy choices in states undergoing political transition. Her current research projects examine the new Ukrainian approaches to diplomacy during wartime and the presidentialization of politics in Eastern Europe. Dr. Zubytska has held fellowships at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars in Washington, D.C., and the Institute on Russian and Eurasian Studies at Uppsala University (Sweden), and teaching positions at the Ukrainian Catholic University and the University of Mary Washington, among others. Coming from a teacher’s family, Dr. Zubytska has enjoyed teaching and mentoring both American and international students for over 20 years. Prior to her academic path in the United States, Dr. Zubytska worked on civil service reform in Ukraine after the Orange Revolution. She holds a Doctoral Degree in Political Science from the University of Kansas, and an M.A. in International Peace Studies from the University of Notre Dame.
An Advisory Board supports the Center for Catholic Citizenship. The Advisory Board consists of Ave Maria University alumni who, by dint of their efforts, have achieved leadership positions, as well as external advisors, who are supportive of the Center’s mission. Members of the Advisory Board meet to identify internship and job opportunities for rising juniors, seniors, and recent graduates in Politics. Advisory Board members also counsel rising juniors and seniors on how to prepare themselves to be competitive in their applications for internships, graduate admissions, and employment. The Board also provides advice about worthy programmatic activities for the Center at Ave Maria University.
Ave Maria University Alumni -- Majored in Politics or Political Economy and Government
Max Bodach, Class of 2021
Director of Partnerships, Foundation for American Innovation
Area(s) of Expertise: Think Tanks & Media
Michael Dauphinais, Class of 2016
Associate, Honigman LLP
Area(s) of Expertise: Pre-law & Law
Shannon Hale Coverdale
Director of Research, The Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (UK)
Area(s) of Expertise: Think tanks & Law (Canada and UK)
Stephen Henley, Class of 2009
President, Legatus International
Area(s) of Expertise: Catholic Business Networks
Ryan Rasins, Class of 2019
Area(s) of Expertise: U.S. Congress
Hon. Joseph M. Tompkins, Class of 2009
Circuit Court Judge, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court of FL
Area(s) of Expertise: Pre-law & Law
Katie Trudeau, Class of 2017
Nonprofit Consultant
Area(s) of Expertise: NGOs in LDCs (less developed countries)
Jose Urquilla, Class of 2006
Advisor, Awards Management for Save the Children
Area(s) of Expertise: International NGOs
External Advisors
Meredith Dolan
Content Director, Lincoln Media Foundation
Area(s) of Expertise: Campaign Operations, Nonprofit Communications, Start-Ups/Program Management
Dr. Stefan D. Gehrold
Member of European Parliament (retired); Attorney
Area(s) of Expertise: European Governments & Think Tanks
Michael C. Maibach
Managing Director & Trustee, James Wilson Institute
Area(s) of Expertise: Think Tanks & Global Business Diplomacy
Dr. Jeffrey Nelson
Executive Director & CEO, The Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal
Area(s) of Expertise: Think Tanks & Higher Education
Ave Maria University Administrators
Daniel C. Schreck
Chief Strategy and Mission Advancement Officer
Area(s) of Expertise: Business Partnerships, New York City-based internships
John W. Spadaccini
Director of Career Services
Area(s) of Expertise: All internships and resume writing
Exceptional students in Politics or related fields are eligible to become Fellows of the Center for Catholic Citizenship. Overall GPA is the primary factor determining eligibility. However, a faculty member affiliated with the Center may recommend students based on their demonstrated excellence in and commitment to public service.
The following students are 2024-25 Fellows of the Center for Catholic Citizenship:
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