John J. Theis

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John J. Theis

Dr. John J. Theis is the Director of the Center for Civic Engagement for the Lone Star College System and professor of Political Science on the Kingwood Campus. He also serves as the Chair of the Steering Committee of The Democracy Commitment. He has been involved in civic engagement work for over 20 years, started the LSC-Kingwood Public Achievement program in 2010, and was one of the founders of the Kingwood College Center for Civic Engagement. He has recently been named to head up a system-level civic engagement initiative across the six Lone Star College system campuses by the Chancellor, Dr. Steve Head. Dr. Theis holds his PhD from the University of Arizona and among his publications are “The Institutionalization of The American Presidency: 1924-1992,” coauthored with Lynn Ragsdale, and “Political Science, Civic Engagement, and the Wicked Problems of Democracy.” He has received numerous awards and honors including being nominated for the E.E. Schattschneider Award for Best Dissertation published in the field of American politics (American Political Science Association), Professor of the Year, Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching, Innovator of the Year, and The John and Suanne Roueche Excellence Award. Dr. Theis grew up in South Korea as the son of Methodist missionaries. He has two beautiful daughters, Samantha and Angela, and a new granddaughter, Harper.