After 40 years as a champion and pioneer of civic education – 35 of them as the founding Executive Director of Civics Learning Project – Marilyn Cover has announced her retirement effective October 2018.
“This is a bittersweet moment for us,” said Peter Koehler, Chair of the CLP Board of Directors. “Marilyn has surely earned the right to retire after all these years – and she leaves us with an organization focused on civics education and citizenship that is best in class – but her shoes will certainly be hard to fill.”
Marilyn has been tireless in her pursuit of strengthening community and democracy. She has forged local, regional, national, and international partnerships, fostering the collaboration needed to make CLP the premier organization of its kind. She has engaged multiple constituencies – K12 education, the legal community, academia, businesses, and civic leaders – with a keen understanding of how their talents and interests can come together for the common good of building future generations of active community members.
Working with those next generations resonates strongly with Marilyn as she looks back on her work. “I’m so happy to have made a career helping students understand the Constitution and the power of their voice and I’m excited to work with the search committee as they select the next leader for CLP.”
She came to Oregon after obtaining her JD from Cleveland Marshall College of Law, quickly working with Lewis and Clark Law School to create their Street Law program, which she still teaches as an adjunct professor. Marilyn came to the attention of CLP co-founders Bob and Marilyn Ridgley, who were drawn to her passion for their work in civic education, a passion which they shared. She was clearly the natural fit as the first Executive Director of Civics Learning Project.
“Our journey with Marilyn over the last 40 years has been one of the most gratifying pieces of our lives,” said Bob Ridgley. “It has been thrilling to watch her grow CLP from its earliest conception to what it is today: a powerful instrument for civic engagement in Oregon and a model of what passion for education and a deep respect for democracy can accomplish.”
CLP is prepared for this transition notes Koehler. “The good news is that Marilyn will leave CLP in a strong position – both fiscally and programmatically – and will be available to help through the transition to a new Executive Director. The Board is pleased with the existing CLP staff, which will help provide continuity through this leadership change.”
The Board has formed a search committee, which has retained Paula Manley as its search consultant. Long time board member Rob Aldisert chairs the committee, made up of board and community representatives.
Watch this website for further announcements and developments in the coming months.