Bob Ritchie

As the Assistant Director for Civil Discourse Programs for the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative (DCI) and Deliberative Citizenship Network (DCN), I coordinate and implement a range of dynamic dialogue and deliberation opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and community members to engage constructively with challenging social and political issues. These include the DCI Fellows Program, Deliberative Forums, Deliberative “D” Teams, and guest speaker events that advance Davidson’s national leadership in promoting civil discourse, open inquiry, and the public good.

With over two decades of public sector leadership and seven years of higher education teaching, I specialize in building civic capacity, ethical reasoning, and structured dialogue across differences. Previously, I served as a Lecturer in Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication at Appalachian State University, where I was also named a Civic Engagement Faculty Fellow. My professional background bridges academia with extensive federal and public service, including a 14-year tenure as a Supervisory Special Agent and Unit Chief for the FBI, and a role as an executive Public Safety Director. I have also served in the Coast Guard and state and local law enforcement. I hold an MFA in Creative Writing from Queens University of Charlotte and a BS in Law Enforcement.