Rutgers–New Brunswick Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Jason Geary announced that Dr. Nicholas V. Longo has been appointed the inaugural director of the Rutgers Democracy Lab at the Eagleton Institute of Politics, effective Feburary 1. He will also be a professor at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.
The Rutgers Democracy Lab was created in 2025 with a transformational philanthropic gift and a singular mission: to strengthen American democracy. The Lab’s mission is to strengthen American democracy through education, dialogue across differences, and collaborative problem-solving. Aligning with this mission, Dr. Longo’s career has been defined by his ability to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world democratic practice.
Dr. Longo joins Rutgers from Providence College, where he served as Chair and Professor of Global Studies and Co-Director of the Dialogue, Inclusion, and Democracy (DID) Lab, an action-research initiative focused on civil discourse, democratic skill-building, and inclusive public engagement.
As a civic engagement scholar-practitioner, Dr. Longo brings a top-notch scholarly background and hands-on experience to Eagleton. He is the author of a number of books, articles, and reports on civic education, deliberative dialogue, youth civic engagement, and community-based learning including the book Why Community Matters: Connecting Education with Civic Life (SUNY Press), edited volumes such as Creating Space for Democracy: A Primer on Dialogue and Deliberation in Higher Education and Deliberative Pedagogy: Teaching and Learning for Democratic Engagement, and teaching guides such as “Practicing Democracy: A Toolkit for Educating Civic Professionals” (published with AAC&U and Campus Compact).
“Dr. Longo brings a rare combination of scholarly excellence and real-world civic engagement experience that aligns perfectly with Eagleton’s mission to strengthen democratic participation,” said Elizabeth Matto, Director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics. “His leadership will help position the Rutgers Democracy Lab as a national model for preparing students to engage thoughtfully and effectively in public life.”
Dr. Longo is a board member of College Unbound, a college working to re-invent higher education for returning adult learners where he also has taught in the prison education program. He consults with some of the leading national civic engagement organizations including Campus Compact, AAC&U, and the Constructive Dialogue Institute. Dr. Longo also served as a program officer at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation.
He earned a B.A. in Political Science and Public and Community Service from Providence College, an MPA from Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, and a Ph.D. from the Department of Work, Community, and Family Education at the University of Minnesota.
As Director, Dr. Longo will oversee key initiatives including the Rutgers Democracy Lab Think and Do Tank, the expansion of Talking Across Difference workshops, and the continuing development of a Technology and Democracy Research Hub.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Longo as we continue to build and expand the Rutgers Democracy Lab,” said RDL Chief Operating Officer Ava Majlesi. “His collaborative leadership style and deep commitment to democratic engagement will help us grow our programs, strengthen partnerships within and beyond Rutgers University, and create even more opportunities for students to develop the skills needed for civic leadership.”