The Bonnie & Bill Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications
The Bonnie and Bill Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications officially opened its doors on July 1, 2019, with offices in the beautiful Frank Center on the campus of Shepherd University.
Made possible by a generous gift by Drs. Bonnie and Bill Stubblefield, the mission of the Stubblefield Institute is to serve as an active center for the study and promotion of civil political discourse.
Upon the opening of the Institute, Shepherd University President Mary J.C. Hendrix
noted, “How we, as citizens persuade, advocate, and converse with one another across competing opinions, is of utmost importance to the future health of our democracy. As citizens and voters, we need to address our divisions and learn how to talk to each other again in a civil manner.”
At all times, the Stubblefield Institute seeks to promote greater public awareness of how authentic and factual civil discourse across partisan divides leads to more productive debate and understanding.
In the classroom, the Institute also seeks to train the next generation of political, media, and public policy communications professionals who will one day be on the front lines of message development and delivery. Shepherd now offers undergraduates a degree in political science with a communications concentration. This effort is led by Shepherd University’s world-class faculty from both the political science and communications departments.
A few Current initiatives of the Stubblefield Institute
- Shepherd University Civility Club – 2023 events included Bowling Through Barriers, Not Your Parents’ Debate Debate, and Shepherd University Civility Awards. The Civility Club is open to all Shepherd University students.
- Listen. Learn. Engage. – LLE student programming works with students to develop motivation, skills, and confidence to participate in civic engagement and civil discourse in ways that move through division into connection and understanding. Learn more about student programs here.
- Community Engagement Conversations – Public forums focus on local and West Virginia issues, bringing together community and state leaders to examine the multi-faceted challenges experienced in the Mountain State and surrounding region.
- Event on November 15: “Policing of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech”
- Provided in partnership with the WV Humanities Council through the United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture campaign of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts
- Event on November 6: “Let’s Chat About…the Campus Self-defense Act”
- The Growth in Your Community Survey is still open. Take it today.
- Event on November 15: “Policing of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech”
Learn more about the Stubblefield Institute
Signup for our mailing list or contact the Stubblefield Institute
Located in the Frank Center, Suite 117 and 120
Direct Line: 304-876-5005
Civility and Civic Engagement Survey Report
Read the results of the “Civility and Civic Engagement Survey” conducted by Stubblefield Institute Senior Fellow for Research Dr. Stephanie A. Slocum-Schaffer here:
Civility and Civic Engagement Research and Data Report
