Welcoming Scotty E. Kirkland as the Mathews Center's New Executive Director

The David Mathews Center for Civic Life is excited to announce that Scotty E. Kirkland will serve as the organization’s new Executive Director.

“The DMC is fortunate to welcome Scotty Kirkland to our dedicated team,” said Carrie Banks, DMC Board Chair. “Much of Scotty’s professional work has focused on civics and government, providing him unique insight into the current challenges facing Alabama’s civic life. Scotty understands the importance of community collaboration and active citizenship, and we look forward to working with him as the DMC continues to evolve.”

A native Alabamian, Kirkland brings to the position nearly two decades of dedicated service in civic engagement and public history. Before joining the Mathews Center, he served as Exhibits, Publications, and Programs Coordinator at the Alabama Department of Archives and History, where he led the creation of the award-winning History/Now: Conversations on the Past + Present program series and several award-winning temporary exhibits. He has a Master of Arts in American History from the University of South Alabama and is a prolific writer on Alabama history.

Kirkland joins the DMC at an exciting time as the organization enters its 20th year. He will lead a dynamic staff team in meeting the Mathews Center’s mission of strengthening civic life in Alabama’s 67 counties. Under his leadership, the DMC will continue equipping Alabamians of all ages for active citizenship and community collaboration through programs like Alabama Issues Forums, the Jean O’Connor-Snyder Internship Program, the McKenzie Civic Fellowship, and the annual Civic Institute.

“I thank the Board of Directors for the confidence they have placed in me to lead the David Mathews Center for Civic Life,” said Kirkland. “As an historian and public servant, I have seen the tremendous ways in which civically engaged Alabamians can change our communities and our state for the better. The Center’s mission to strengthen civic life throughout Alabama is essential, and I am proud to join its committed staff and leadership in this work. I will strive to follow their high examples of service and to emulate the thoughtfulness and wisdom of the Center’s namesake.” 

Please join the David Mathews Center for Civic Life in welcoming Scotty Kirkland to the DMC team! Scotty can be reached at skirkland@mathewscenter.org.