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.
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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. Professor Colman earned his doctorate from Boston College in 2005. Prior to coming to Ave Maria University in 2008, he taught at Ashland University and Goucher College. He is the 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 Public Affairs in the Institute of American Civics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He is also an affiliated fellow at the Center for Religion, Democracy, and Culture, Contributing Editor at Law & Liberty, and president of the Ciceronian Society. Patterson has focused much of his research on topics concerning politics and religion and has had works published in journals such as American Political Thought, Perspectives on Political Science, Political Science Reviewer, and Journal of Church and State. He is also the author of Religion in the Public Square: Sheen, King, Falwell, and his next book, co-authored with Thomas Howe, examines the problems with postliberalism. Dr. Patterson earned his B.A. in political science at the University of Houston and his M.A. and Ph.D. in politics at the University of Virginia.
Dr. Seana McGuire is Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Ambassador Michael Novak Chair of Politics at Ave Maria University. She directs the Center for Catholic Citizenship. Before 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 Chair of the Politics Department and Assistant Professor of Politics at Ave Maria University. She specializes in foreign policy analysis, including domesticfactors 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 identify internship and job opportunities for rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates in Politics. Advisory Board members counsel Student Fellows on how 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 Related Fields
Max Bodach, Class of 2021
Director of Partnerships, Foundation for American Innovation
Area(s) of Expertise: Think Tanks & Media
Brendan Clark, Class of 2023
Digital Fundraising Account Manager, HSP Direct/Blitz Digital Group
Area(s) of Expertise: Political Campaigns & Non-Profit Fundraising
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)
Christina Fox, Esq., Class of 2015
Assistant United States Attorney
Area(s) of Expertise: Pre-Law & Law
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
John Towey, Class of 2019
Senior Program Manager, Economic Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute
Area(s) of Expertise: Think Tanks and Public Policy
Jose Urquilla, Class of 2006
Advisor, Awards Management for Save the Children
Area(s) of Expertise: International NGOs
Kyle VanDuser, Class of 2014
Founder & Executive Director, Cyprus Island Enterprises
Area(s) of Expertise: Political Campaigns & Networks
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
Lieutenant Colonel Chris Payne, U.S. Army Retired
Principal and Founding Partner, Cross Potomac Consulting LLC
Area(s) of Expertise: Congress & Military
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 Fellows of the Center for Catholic Citizenship:
EMERITUS FELLOWS
Class of 2025:
Class of 2026:
Testimonials from the CCC DC trip:
“After this trip, I feel so much more at ease about navigating and finding a job in government.”
- Kathryn Ray
“This trip shows you exactly what it takes to succeed in DC and how to get there.”
- Josh Ray
“Fast paced, very intensive, and Catholic. Outstanding.”
- Blaise Carne
“I learned things that I did not even know from people who were beyond fascinating. I feel much more optimistic about finding a career that appeals to my talents and allows me to live out my faith.”
- Julian Mourad
“This trip was truly life-changing. It opened my mind to the abundance of opportunities available in DC and allowed me to begin cultivating my network. Incredibly inspiring!”
- Carly Hintz
“Being in DC during the week lets you see how things function on a day-to-day basis, and our meetings showed us how many incredible opportunities are available to those who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work hard. Any student interested in working in DC NEEDS to attend this incredible trip!”
- Jack Cavanaugh
“The American dream is well and alive. Keep in mind that the world is your oyster, and with the help of God Almighty, everything is possible.
- Antonio Alonso
“This trip was an introduction... All that is left to do is create my own conclusion by living in the Capitol.”
- Derrick Guza
“Truly enjoyed this trip. What an incredible time it was to learn to and to grow in fellowship. I am so grateful to God and to the Center for Catholic Citizenship for making this life changing experience possible.”
- Nathan Willam
The Center for Catholic Citizenship achieved many milestones in its first year. Thank you for being pioneers as we broke new ground together.
A Year In Review:
We were honored to host several events, including many featuring our Advisory Board members:
The most intense and transformative event of the year was a four-day trip to DC during our spring break. This was made possible by a very generous gift by Chris Payne, who has invested much of this time and treasure in mentoring students to find internships for them. He also opened his home to our group in DC at a reception, which allowed our students to meet Thomas Gilmore, ’23; Analiese Gilmore (Hratko), ’23; Gabriella Forte, ’19, and Max Bodach, ’21.
Dr. Stefan D. Gehrold, Kyle Van Duser, Class of ’14, and I organized this trip and traveled with eleven students. In DC, we visited the Capitol as well as several think tanks, nonprofit organizations, and lobbying firms, to learn about the opportunities available to students. We are indebted to Chris Payne, Gabriella Forte, ‘19, Ryan Rasins, ’19, and Andrew Heim, ’15, for hosting our group at various venues while we were in town.
Many thanks are owed to our dedicated members of the Advisory Board and Friends of the Center. Their investments are reaping fruit. Bonds of friendship and understanding are being built across generations, especially among our students and alumni. Current students are learning important lessons about opportunities and risks as they embark on their professional journeys.
5050 Ave Maria Blvd., Ave Maria, FL 34142
