The Bonnie & Bill Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications
Current initiatives of the Stubblefield Institute include:
- Shepherd University Civility Club – Recently hosted “Bowling Through Barriers.” Upcoming events include the annual “Not Your Parents’ Debate Debate” and on-campus Civility Awards
- Listen Learn Engage – Spring 2023 Events include Student Leadership Conference, Listening Circles, Unify America College Bowl, Spring into Service, and an Environmental Advocacy Panel
- Community Engagement Committee – Hosts public forums, such as the recent discussion on Community Growth & Infrastructure. The Growth in Your Community Survey is still open. Take it today.
Upcoming Event: Post-Pandemic Healthcare – A Discussion Of Growth, Stress, And Civility.
June 8, 6 p.m. Attend in person, or listen live on WEPM, WCST, and the Panhandle News Network.
About Us:
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 offer students and the public an advanced platform for the study of political discourse by addressing the role communications plays in our divided national culture and contribute to a more positive dialogue and exchange of political differences.
Upon the opening of the Institute, Shepherd University President Mary J.C. Hendrix
said, “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. For the first time, 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.
From left to right: Bonnie Stubblefield, Donna Brazile, President Mary J.C. Hendrix, and Bill Stubblefield
Located in the Frank Center, Suite 117 and 120
Direct Line: 304-876-5005
Ashley Horst became the Executive Director of the Stubblefield Institute in September, 2023. She can be reached at ahorst@shepherd.edu.
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
