Center for North Carolina Politics & Public Service

By educating the Catawba community and fellow North Carolinians about the state's political dynamics and emphasizing the value of public service, the Center cultivates practical political understanding and encourages active civic participation. In doing so, it helps instill a lasting respect for public life and being a responsible citizen—both among Catawba College students and throughout the wider North Carolina community. 

Democracies run on fact-based information—the raw material societies use to identify problems and create solutions. The Center informs rather than prescribes, providing objective, data-driven insights into North Carolina politics. By collecting, analyzing, and presenting political information, the Center empowers citizens to engage in productive, evidence-based dialogue. 

Additionally, the Center promotes public service as a meaningful and impactful path—whether in government or the nonprofit sector—encouraging students and citizens alike to contribute to the state’s self-governance. 

In advancing civic understanding, engagement, and character, the Center supports Catawba College’s mission of “Scholarship with Character and Culture for Service,” preparing students to be thoughtful, responsible citizens.

The Department of Politics at Catawba College houses the following programs:

• Administration of Justice
• Politics
• Pre-Law
• Public Administration