The Center for Constitutional Studies (CCS) at UVU has announced the appointment of Dr. Savannah Eccles Johnston as the new program director for the Master of Arts in Constitutional Government, Civics, and Law (MACGCL), effective July 1.

Dr. Johnston brings deep expertise in American political thought and constitutionalism and has published in respected journals such as American Political Thought and The Forum. She comes to UVU from Salt Lake Community College, where she served as an assistant professor of political science.

“Savannah is an outstanding scholar and teacher with a passion for cultivating understanding of our constitutional inheritance,” said Dr. Matthew Brogdon, senior director of CCS. “Her leadership will be crucial as the M.A. program continues to grow and serve teachers and citizens from across the country.”

A Utah native, Johnston holds a doctorate and master’s degree in politics and government from Claremont Graduate University and a bachelor’s degree from BYU. In addition to her academic credentials, Johnston co-hosts This Constitution, CCS’s weekly podcast, and connects with thousands of followers through her Instagram account, @savypolitics, where she shares accessible insights on politics and constitutional issues.

She succeeds Dr. Troy Smith, who led the launch of the MACGCL program in 2023 and will now direct UVU’s new Constitutional Federalism Initiative, established during the 2025 legislative session.

The MACGCL program equips students with a robust understanding of constitutional government and civic life, offering both teaching and research tracks. A hallmark of the program is its residential study-abroad experience at Pembroke College, University of Oxford, made possible through CCS’s partnership with the Quill Project.