Lara Schwartz

Director of the American University Project on Civil Discourse, faculty at American University School of Public Affairs

Lara Schwartz (she/her/hers) is the founding director of the American University Project on Civil Discourse and teaches at the American University School of Public Affairs. Schwartz focuses on civil rights and liberties, constitutional law, politics, communications, policy, and civic dialogue. Prior to joining AU’s faculty, Schwartz served as director of strategic engagement at the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy, as Courts Matter director at Media Matters, legal director at the Human Rights Campaign, and vice president of external affairs at the American Association of People with Disabilities. Schwartz is the coauthor of How to College: What to Know Before You Go (And When You’re There). Her next book, Try to Love the Questions: From Debate to Inquiry in the College Classroom, will be released in 2023.