Teaching and preparing for his classes usually keep Professor David Dulio busy this time of year. However, this semester is different. Due to the upcoming presidential election, he is spending more time outside of the classroom.
The presidential election has kept Dulio busy, taking up much of his extra time. He plans and hosts election-related events for the Center for Civic Engagement and talks with news outlets, such as WXYZ-TV Detroit, Fox 2 Detroit and CBS Detroit. The news media might email him or schedule a call for Dulio to provide recaps about recent debates or the state of the election. On top of that, Dulio needs to stay up to date on current events through reading and watching the news.
Dulio is the director of the Center for Civic Engagement on campus, which was founded in 2018. The CCE was created because Dulio was “inspired by a mentor at American University, where they had created something similar.”
The Center for Civic Engagement focuses on public discourse and civic literacy, key points Dulio is passionate about.
“We wanted to make Oakland University known as this convener of conversations about issues of public importance,” Dulio said. “But not to just do that willy-nilly, but to have those conversations in the right way: civil, respectful, and at the same time, respecting and inviting multiple perspectives.”
Dulio became an assistant professor of political science at Oakland University in 2002 and has since advanced, eventually becoming a distinguished professor at OU in 2023. A distinguished professor is selected by the Provost and the Distinguished Professor Advisory Committee based on being outstanding in scholarship, teaching or public or professional service.
Students admire his approach to teaching and engagement outside of the classroom.
Muhammed Smidi, Treasurer of the College Republicans, said that Professor Dulio has significantly impacted his engagement in the upcoming election cycle.
“He has inspired me to get more involved in the political process and has emphasized the importance of engaging in civic activities, such as working at polling locations or participating in debates,” Smidi said.
The CCE will host the last town hall of a three-part series on Tuesday, October 29 with WDIV Local 4 News. This ongoing series has focused on misinformation regarding the 2024 election.
Others might be nervous about participating in an event streamed live to the local news stations, but this is nothing new to Dulio. He is often contacted for media interviews or to provide statements, especially during a busy election season like this.
Brian Bierley, media relations director for Oakland University, started working with Dulio on media stories nearly 11 years ago.
“Professor Dave Dulio has steadily built a local, then regional and now national (and growing international) reputation with media members from around the country,” said Bierley, in response to an email inquiry. “He is trusted by the media at all levels in all formats. His interviews provide an unbiased view of politics, supported by facts.”
Although Dulio mentioned his colleagues are also contacted for media statements and interviews, he finds himself frequently talking to news outlets.
“I’ll talk to them at 9 p.m., no big deal,” Dulio said. “I’ll get up early in the morning and do a Zoom with a TV station, no big deal. It’s really about helping journalists do their job.”
Being director of the CCE, talking with news outlets, and staying on top of current events during the election season can take a lot of time and energy.
Dulio said he probably doesn’t disconnect from social media and the news as much as he should, but “likes to turn on a ball game.”
“You just got to find a way to zone out and take your mind off it. Find a good show to binge-watch,” he said.
