As the Commission seeks to fulfill its purpose and mission of providing quality, arms-length policy recommendations and educational opportunities on federalism, we are very grateful for our Board of Scholars. They contribute their time, expertise, and knowledge of history to guide the Commission on the sometimes complex matters of federalism within the United States. The Commission extends its deep thanks and appreciation to each of them. Our scholars come from across the political spectrum and are listed in alphabetical order.
Dr. Andrew Bibby
Andy’s research focuses on American Federalism, Constitutional Liberalism, and Citizenship Education. He is an Associate Professor in Political Science and History at Utah Valley University.
David Guldenschuh, Esq.
David Guldenschuh is an attorney and native of Rome, Georgia. He is a Policy Advisor to the Heartland Institute.
Dr. Donald J. Kochan
Donald Kochan is Professor of Law at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, where he also serves as the Executive Director of the Law & Economics Center.
Dr. Lawrence Lessig
Lawrence Lessig is the Roy L. Furman Professor of Law and Leadership at Harvard Law School.
Dr. Robert “Rob” G. Natelson
Rob has published articles and books on many different parts of the Constitution, and is widely acknowledged to be the country’s leading scholar on the Constitution’s amendment procedure and among the leaders on several other topics.
Dr. Troy Smith
Troy E. Smith is a Professor and Director of the Constitutional Federalism Initiative at the Center for Constitutional Studies at Utah Valley University.
Additional Academics who do not Serve on the Scholar Board due to time, but who have Assisted the Commission by Advising on Scholars or providing Keynote Messages.
Dr. Heather Gerken
Heather K. Gerken is Sterling Professor of Law at Yale Law School. She served as the School’s 17th Dean from 2017 until 2025. She will be the 11th President of the Ford Foundation, beginning on Nov. 1, 2025.
Dr. Thomas Jipping
Thomas L. Jipping is a Senior Legal Fellow for the Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies and a senior legal fellow in the Center, part of the Institute for Constitutional Government at Heritage.
Dr. David Primo
Dr. Primo, of Rochester University, is the author or coauthor of four books. His most recent book, co-authored with Jeff Milyo, challenges the conventional wisdom that stricter limits on money in politics will improve American democracy.