In this inaugural edition of “Scholar Spotlight,” we are highlighting Professor Michael A. Genovese, a beloved professor and distinguished academic whose nearly four-decade career at Loyola Marymount University has made a lasting impact. He holds the Loyola Chair of Leadership Studies and serves as the Director of the Institute for Leadership Studies and President of the Global Policy Institute. As a cornerstone of the Political Science and International Relations Department, Professor Genovese has shaped over a generation of political thinkers and leaders. He has created numerous transformative opportunities for students to engage with the world around them, including internships in Washington, D.C., and the Hansard Scholars Program, where students attend the London School of Economics and Politics while participating in internships at the House of Commons.
As the author of over 50 books on the presidency and a frequent media commentator on the subject, he has established a notable presence beyond the LMU community. In this Q&A, we ask Professor Genovese to discuss some of the highlights of his career and reflect on the accomplishments that define his legacy as a teacher, scholar, and mentor.
Out of all the projects and accomplishments in your career, is there one you are most proud of? If so, why?
Ooooooo, tough question…I think number one would be receiving the American Political Science Association’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 2017. It was only the fifth time in the over 100 year history of the organization that they have awarded this honor, so it is very special to me. Especially as teaching was and is my top priority. Second would be that in 2006, I was named a “Fellow” at the Queens College, Oxford University. To have your career accomplishments recognized by Oxford University is humbling and gratifying.
You’ve authored over 50 books on presidents and politics. Is there one that stands out to you as a personal favorite or one you’re most proud of, and why?
My book “Leadership Matters,” co-authored with Thomas Cronin, named the “leadership book of the year” was pretty cool. That, and my textbook on the Presidency, “The Paradoxes of the American Presidency,” now in its 6th edition, is another book of which I am especially proud.
You’ve made numerous television appearances to discuss leadership and politics. What do you find most rewarding or challenging about sharing your expertise in this way?
I try to set “context” for an audience, give them some background and information with which they can make a more informed decision. And while my own views do come out, I try not to impose a particular view on the audience. That is the hard part. I do have strong views, for example, on the Trump presidency, and I am critical of the abuses of power and violations of constitutional law by the administration, but I feel compelled to provide reasons and arguments to support my views. Making bold assertions is easy; making reasoned arguments grounded in evidence is the challenge. I do not always succeed, but I always hold that up as the goal. It is a responsibility I take seriously. A strong democracy requires an informed and activated citizenry, and I hope that I do my bit to advance the cause of reason in an unreasonable world.
In addition to your academic work, you’ve collaborated with many organizations and major leaders outside of LMU. What are some of these and how have these experiences influenced the way you approach teaching and mentorship?
The most formative experience I have had outside the strictly academic setting is the work I did during the administration of George H.W. Bush as a consultant to the Defense Department on crisis management. I had written several articles on crisis management and all of a sudden, I had a chance to put that into practice in the service of my country. I ran crisis simulations for the administration and hope and believe I made a positive difference and that the experiences I provided the participants and advice I provided the President helped navigate the choppy waters of international diplomacy and military strategy.
Looking back at your impressive career, is there one singular accomplishment or moment you’re most proud of?
It may sound small, but for me, the time at the end of his presidency, when President Bush called me aside and presented me with two pairs of presidential cufflinks and thanked me for my service to the nation, and added that “it really helped,” stands out as it combined my many interests as an academic who studies politics and governance, and as a citizen who cares deeply about the future of his country. And while my heart breaks today as I see the growth of an anti-analytical presidency that practices cruelty against the weak for sport, I know that we can do better – and we must. My entire career is based on that premise.
