The University of Virginia is set to enlarge the scope of its Program on Constitutionalism and Democracy (PCD) by bringing three nationally-recognized scholars onto its faculty next fall. The hires—historian Fred K. Drogula, political theorist Paul O. Carrese and philosopher Melvin L. Rogers—signal a deliberate shift toward a more interdisciplinary curriculum that links political theory, classical antiquity and African-American political thought. University officials say the move will deepen the program’s long-standing emphasis on the philosophical, historical and institutional roots of American democracy.
Sidney Milkis, director of PCD and White Burkett Miller Professor of Politics, explained that the program’s power lies in its ability to draw from multiple academic traditions. “Our strength is the multidisciplinary approach,” Milkis remarked, adding that the expansion will foster stronger connections not only with the Department of Politics but also with a range of social-science and humanities units across the College of Arts & Sciences.
New faculty members and their expertise
Each of the three appointments brings a distinct scholarly lens to the program.
Fred K. Drogula – ancient political institutions
Professor Drogula joins the Department of Classics as the Melville Foundation Jefferson Scholars Distinguished University Professor. A 2005 UVA Ph.D. and former Charles J. Ping Professor at Ohio University, he is renowned for his work on Roman republican governance, power dynamics and the origins of state authority. His recent monograph, Spheres of Control: The Origin of Government in Early Rome adds to earlier titles such as Commanders and Command in the Roman Republic and Early Empire. Drogula plans to teach courses that trace how classical ideas shaped early American law, rhetoric and even agricultural practice, linking antiquity directly to the founding era.
Paul O. Carrese – American constitutional thought
From Arizona State University, Professor Carrese arrives as a veteran of civic-education initiatives and a former director of the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership. His scholarship examines the writings of Montesquieu, Tocqueville and other Enlightenment figures, focusing on the balance between judicial activism and liberal stability. His latest book, Teaching America: Reflective Patriotism in Schools, College, and Culture investigates the curriculum envisioned by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Carrese will maintain a close research relationship with Monticello and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, enriching PCD’s historic-civic dimension.
Melvin L. Rogers – African-American political philosophy
Professor Rogers returns to UVA as a Commonwealth Professor in the Department of African American and African Studies, with a courtesy appointment in Politics. Formerly the Edna and Richard Salomon Distinguished Professor at Brown University, his research highlights the democratic virtues found in the writings of David Walker, W.E.B. Du Bois and James Baldwin. His award-winning 2023 volume, The Darkened Light of Faith: Race, Democracy, and Freedom in African American Political Thought earned the APSA Ralph J. Bunche Award and was recently recognized with a Carnegie Fellowship. Rogers’ presence adds a vital racial and cultural perspective to the study of constitutionalism.
Program expansion, historic roots and future direction
The PCD was founded in 2006 by Professor James W. Ceaser, who designed it to immerse undergraduates in the philosophical and historical foundations of American politics. Core courses such as American Political Tradition and American Political Economy emphasize close reading of founding texts and primary documents. Over the past decade, the program has attracted a diverse student body, organized visiting-speaker series, and run post-doctoral fellowships and summer institutes that extend its influence nationwide.
University leadership views the latest hiring spree as a natural continuation of that legacy. A multidisciplinary search committee—comprised of faculty from five Arts & Sciences departments and the School of Education and Human Development—spent months vetting candidates, ensuring that each scholar aligns with PCD’s mission and the broader liberal-arts goals of the College. “The committee’s breadth was essential,” noted senior associate dean Jennifer Bair, highlighting the collaborative spirit that guided the selections.
Looking ahead, Milkis envisions a richer catalog of courses that cross departmental borders, offering students the chance to explore constitutional ideas through lenses of classics, African-American thought and civic education. Anticipated initiatives include joint seminars with the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, field trips to historic sites, and expanded reading groups that foster a vibrant scholarly community. Strong philanthropic backing—from the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, the Jack Miller Center and the College Foundation—combined with administrative support from the Office of the President and Interim Provost Brie Gertler, provides the financial and institutional foundation for these ambitions.
In sum, the arrival of Drogula, Carrese and Rogers marks a decisive step toward a more holistic understanding of constitutional democracy at UVA. Their combined expertise will not only broaden the intellectual horizons of current students but also position the Program on Constitutionalism and Democracy as a national model for interdisciplinary inquiry into the enduring questions of governance, liberty and citizenship.
