UC selects executive director to lead new Portman Center

UC has appointed Andrew Lewis, an associate professor in the department of political science, as the permanent executive director of the Portman Center for Policy Solutions.

Officially opened on Oct. 23, 2023, the Portman Center for Policy Solutions is located in the School of Public and International Affairs in UC’s College of Arts and Sciences. Its mission is to encourage individuals, regardless of their political views, to find common ground and solve problems in the political sphere.

“I think it is critically important to find a way forward for this country, the campus community, and the city of Cincinnati,” Lewis said. “We can demonstrate that real, important work can get done by people with different ideological outlooks.”

Through academic programming, research, and seminars with political figures at the local, state, and federal levels, the center provides an educational platform for comprehensive civic discussions. It also offers student fellowships, scholarships, and internship opportunities to cultivate the next generation of leaders, enhancing their education and fostering the ability to engage in bipartisan conversations and decision-making.

One of the co-founders and namesake of the center, Former Sen. Rob Portman, R-O.H., served as a U.S. representative from 1993 to 2005 and a U.S. senator from 2011 to 2023. In his time in public service, Portman passed over 200 bipartisan bills and continues to be a proponent of using civility and partnership to resolve issues. 

Portman expressed confidence that Lewis is well-equipped to lead the Portman Center in his position as executive director. 

“I am so pleased that Professor Andy Lewis has been appointed executive director of the Portman Center. [Lewis] has already made tremendous progress as the interim director, and I am confident he will continue to be effective in carrying out the mission of the Portman Center, encouraging civility, bipartisanship, and finding common ground to achieve policy solutions,” said Portman.

Lewis has a wide range of goals for the future of the Portman Center, aligning them closely with both UC’s expectations and those set by Portman and sponsors.

“We are going to invest in students, starting with establishing undergraduate fellows…we are building out that network to be able to invest in student leaders. We aim to cultivate community conversations about important topics. Down the road, we will bring more research and specific policy-focused output,” said Lewis.

As part of his vision, Lewis plans to incorporate collaboration between government leaders, non-profit leaders, and business leaders to have public conversations about issues and to hear expert opinions and experiences. The students, faculty, and staff of UC will be able to attend these conversations.

The center has already hosted one event featuring Portman and former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, who discussed their experiences fostering bipartisan dialogue while in office. Approximately 150 UC students, staff, and faculty attended the event in February 2024. 

In an era characterized by heightened partisanship and dwindling civility, Lewis understands challenges that may arise in the center’s efforts.

“Having a solution-oriented angle is important…people don’t have to give up their political identity or beliefs, they don’t have to all become moderates or centrists to get things done, but they have to be willing to [find] avenues where things line up and compromises,” said Lewis.

Feature image at top: Professor Andrew Lewis with students at UC's Portman Center for Policy Solutions. Credit/Provided