Shilo Brooks Named President of Bush Presidential Center

The George W. Bush Foundation announced that Dr. Shilo Brooks has been named president and chief executive officer of the George W. Bush Presidential Center. He will also join the Bush Foundation’s board of directors.

Brooks, who will begin his duties on Sept. 2, succeeds Ken Hersh, who is retiring after nine years in this role. Hersh will remain on the organization’s board. 

“Shilo is a brilliant thinker who has developed programs that help people grasp America’s founding principles and civic responsibilities. He understands and professes the importance of leadership in our society. Shilo’s expertise in civil discourse, civic literacy, and American political thought align with the values and mission of the George W. Bush Presidential Center. The energy and intellect he will bring to our policy work and community engagement will benefit the North Texas community and beyond,” said President George W. Bush. “Laura and I are thrilled to welcome Shilo and his family back home to Texas.”

Brooks is the executive director of Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions focused on exploring enduring questions of American constitutional law and Western political thought. He is also a Lecturer in Princeton’s Department of Politics where enrollment in his marquee course on Statesmanship and the American Presidency grew from 40 to 250 students in one year. 

Concurrent with his appointment at the Bush Center, Brooks will join SMU as professor of the practice in the Political Science Department, senior fellow at the Center for Presidential History, and senior fellow at the Tower Center for Public Policy and International Affairs.

“Dr. Shilo Brooks is a dynamic leader and scholar whose work exemplifies the values of civil discourse, civic responsibility and intellectual engagement,” said SMU President-elect Jay Hartzell. “We are proud to welcome him to the Hilltop, where his appointment will strengthen the academic bridge between SMU and the George W. Bush Presidential Center, and offer our students meaningful opportunities to explore the ideas that shape our nation and world.”

“The Bush Center is uniquely positioned to lead a national conversation about the enduring principles and ideas that animate the American spirit,” Brooks said. “The Bush Center’s focus on engaged citizenship, compassionate leadership, and ensuring opportunity through freedom and accountability deeply resonates with me. I am honored and excited to join the Bush Center’s excellent team, whose commitments to scholarship, public service, and public education shine edifying light on the world, our nation, my home state of Texas, and the North Texas community.”