Matthew Fairholm Named Director of the Chiesman Center for Democracy
Fairholm is a professor of public administration with a joint appointment in the Department of Political Science and the W.O. Farber Center for Civic Leadership at USD. He also serves as the Allene R. Chiesman Distinguished Professor. He holds a Ph.D. in public administration from The George Washington University and a Master of Arts in public policy from Brigham Young University.
As the new director of the Chiesman Center, Fairholm joins an organization dedicated to civic education, civic engagement, and civic research. The Chiesman Center partners with other state and local groups who promote civic education and democratic engagement.
Under the dynamic leadership of the previous director, Julia Hellwege, Ph.D., the Chiesman Center expanded its footprint as the state's leading institute promoting civic engagement across the state. The center sponsors national voter education initiatives, hosts an annual democracy conference, brings speakers to campus and offers grant funding for related research activities.
“Dr. Matthew Fairholm is the ideal new director for the Chiesman Center for Democracy,” said Eric Jepsen, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Political Science. “With his civics and public administration research and teaching and service experience, the Chiesman Center will continue to help build a stronger South Dakota through the promotion of civic values and public dialogue about issues of importance to communities across our state.”
Fairholm brings vast experience in public administration, leadership theory and practice, and constitutional governance to his new role. Prior to coming to USD, Fairholm was the director of leadership studies and development at the Center for Excellence in Municipal Management (currently the Center for Excellence in Public Leadership) and instructor of public administration at The George Washington University, where he continues to serve as a senior fellow.
Fairholm worked in the U.S. Department of Energy in congressional, intergovernmental, international and public affairs and also in the department's science research and development division. His academic and professional interests focus on public administration, leadership theory and practice, and constitutional governance. He has been with USD since 2002.
“This appointment is an exciting opportunity to continue the meaningful successes of the Chiesman Center for Democracy.” Fairholm said. “The center’s focus on promoting civics education, civic engagement, and civic research is foundational to educational goals at all levels. I am optimistic about our efforts to build partnerships around the state with other groups, schools, communities and college campuses to promote the principles and practices that make our constitutional republic strong. It is foundational to the center’s mission.”
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