History professor Sayward named director of MTSU’s American Democracy Project

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University has named Amy Sayward, professor of history, as the new director of the university’s American Democracy Project, a nationally recognized campus initiative dedicated to promoting civic engagement and democratic participation among students.

Sayward becomes the fourth director of the ADP at MTSU, following the impactful tenure of longtime history research professor Mary A. Evins, who retired in summer 2025 after nearly two decades of transformative leadership.

Dr. Amy Sayward, history professor, American Democracy Project director — Dr. Amy Sayward

Now, as the ADP turns the page to its next chapter, Sayward brings to the role a wealth of academic and administrative experience. A scholar of U.S. and international history, she has long championed civic literacy and community engagement both in and out of the classroom. She earned her Ph.D. in history from Ohio State University in 1998.

Known for encouraging civic participation in her courses, she has often offered extra credit to students who register to vote or engage in public life.

“Students are the leaders of their generations,” Sayward said. “They will make a difference, whether through their actions or their indifference.”

Evins’ tenure was marked by a commitment to hands-on democratic practice. She encouraged students not only to understand systems of government but to actively participate in them, researching policy, presenting at national civic conferences, and contacting election commissions to register voters. Her signature phrase, “Voting is our non-negotiable duty as American citizens,” became a rallying cry for students and faculty alike.

In this undated file photo outside the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building on the Middle Tennessee State University campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn., MTSU students, from left, Victoria Grigsby, Marcus Rosario, Nancy Prescott, R.J. Ware and Dante Buttrey promote the petition to make university campuses polling places in Tennessee as part of the MTSU American Democracy Project. (Photo courtesy of the American Democracy Project at MTSU) — In this undated file photo outside the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building on the Middle Tennessee State University campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn., MTSU students, from left, Victoria Grigsby, Marcus Rosario, Nancy Prescott, R.J. Ware and Dante Buttrey promote the petition to make university campuses polling places in Tennessee as part of the MTSU American Democracy Project. (File photo courtesy of the American Democracy Project at MTSU)

Under her leadership, MTSU repeatedly earned national recognition from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, including a “Highly Established” rating and status as the top public university in Tennessee for student voter registration three years in a row.

Sayward plans to build on the strong foundation laid by her predecessors while exploring new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and student-led initiatives. Under her guidance, the ADP will continue to serve as a civic cornerstone of campus life, hosting Constitution Day events, expanding voter engagement efforts, and fostering respectful dialogue across ideological divides. She will also be taking the lead in commemorating 250 years of American independence in 2026.

John Vile, dean of the Honors College where ADP is housed, said, “The College is delighted to have found such a knowledgeable scholar who is so committed to the American Democracy Project on campus.”

The American Democracy Project was launched in 2003 by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities to reinvigorate the civic mission of higher education. MTSU was among the first universities to join the effort, with Provost Mark Byrnes serving as its founding campus director. He was succeeded by historian Jim Williams, and later, in 2008, by Evins, whose vision and energy helped establish MTSU as a statewide and national leader in student civic learning and voter engagement.

For more information about MTSU’s American Democracy Project, visit https://amerdem.mtsu.edu.

— Robin E. Lee (Robin.E.Lee@mtsu.edu)