UTM will serve as the executive center of the Southern Consortium of the American Democracy Project (ADP-South). The consortium covers 13 southeastern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. There are more than 60 universities within the consortium.

As the ADP-South Center, UTM will maintain the Web site, manage funds, serve as a communication hub and play a central role in planning the annual conference and other activities of the organization.

The American Democracy Project is a multi-campus initiative that seeks to create an intellectual and experiential understanding of civic engagement for undergraduates enrolled at institutions that are members of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). The goal of the project is to produce graduates who understand and are committed to engaging in meaningful actions as citizens in a democracy.

“It is quite an honor for UTM to be chosen as the center for ADP-South,” said Dr. Mike McCullough, professor of management and UTM’s ADP chair. McCullough will also serve as executive director of the ADP-South Center.

ADP-South is an initiative of ADP campuses across the Southeast. This initiative seeks to provide support for campus ADP leaders and to recognize the efforts of campuses, organizations, faculty, administrators and students whose work contributes to the goals of ADP National. The ADP-South conference will be Nov. 10 - 12 in Atlanta, Ga., at Clayton State University. Visit ADP-South’s Web site at www.adpsouth.org.