Tisch College's Civic Life Lunch Series brings strategy, policy leaders to Tufts University campus

MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, Mass. (Nov. 16, 2016) -- The Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University is hosting a series of Civic Life Lunches featuring experts in politics, media and the public sector, including David Axelrod, campaign strategist and former presidential advisor for President Barack Obama; David Simas, director of the White House Office of Political Strategy and Outreach; and Nicolle Wallace, President George W. Bush's 2004 campaign communications chief.

These free lunches provide valuable opportunities to learn from experienced practitioners about their fields and to discuss this year's contentious election season – and what comes next.  They will be held throughout the fall and spring semesters on Tufts University's Medford/Somerville campus. Distinguished guests include:

• David Axelrod, chief strategist in both of Barack Obama's presidential campaigns, and a senior advisor to the Obama during his first term. He is currently the director of the University of Chicago Institute of Politics and a senior political commentator on CNN. (Nov. 21, 12 p.m., Dowling Hall, Room 745B)
• Nicolle Wallace served as communications chief during the presidency of George W. Bush and in his 2004 re-election campaign. In 2008, Wallace also served as a senior advisor for the McCain–Palin campaign. She is a political commentator for NBC News and a former co-host of The View. (Dec. 5, 12 p.m., Dowling Hall, Room 745B)
• David Simas, an assistant to the president and director of the White House Office of Political Strategy and Outreach, which serves as a point of contact for national, state and local political groups. He previously managed the rollout of President Obama's healthcare plan. (Dec. 8, 12 p.m., Dowling Hall, Room 745A)

Other speakers scheduled for later this year or early next include Joe Trippi, Democratic political consultant who served as campaign manager to Howard Dean, and Peter Flaherty, Republican political consultant who advised Gov. Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign. Information about these and other Tisch College events is available at http://activecitizen.tufts.edu/events/.

About Tufts University

Tufts University, located on campuses in Boston, Medford/Somerville and Grafton, Massachusetts, and in Talloires, France, is recognized among the premier research universities in the United States. Tufts enjoys a global reputation for academic excellence and for the preparation of students as leaders in a wide range of professions. A growing number of innovative teaching and research initiatives span all Tufts campuses, and collaboration among the faculty and students in the undergraduate, graduate and professional programs across the university's schools is widely encouraged.