Chapel Hill’s controversial School of Civic Life and Leadership (SCiLL) is grappling with a wave of resignations and a growing credibility crisis. Amid charges of ideological conformity and procedural dysfunction, its inaugural Associate Dean of Research and Strategy—David Decosimo—was abruptly fired as turmoil continues to mount. Bull City Citizen takes a deep dive into what this means for civic education and academic integrity in North Carolina.
A Sudden Departure
On Monday, Decosimo revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that he had been terminated without explanation just days after returning from paternity leave.
He wrote:
“I have been fired… without explanation & upon my return from parental leave.”
Once part of a hopeful leadership cohort brought in to pioneer SCiLL, Decosimo has now joined at least six others who’ve departed within a year—a staggering turnover for a brand-new institution.
Echoes of Discontent
Decosimo didn’t mince words. In a scathing X post, he criticized the school’s leadership for prioritizing “fealty and intellectual homogeneity over civil discourse.”
Under remarks titled “thoughts on the future of the civic-school movement,” he added that reform must be built on “merit, courage & principle—not nepotism, ideology & secret handshakes.”
Just earlier in March, Inger S.B. Brodey, another associate dean and inaugural campus recruit, resigned publicly, citing loss of faith in leadership and noting the school had “lost sight of its mission.” She described the founder’s administration as tainted by “improprieties, slander, vindictiveness, and manipulation.”
Mounting Criticism from Faculty
Faculty sentiment toward SCiLL has tilled over into organized critique. The campus chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) published a statement condemning the school’s leadership, calling it “intellectually deficient,” plagued by “procedural irregularities,” and branding the initiative as a “bureaucratic trainwreck.”
Other insiders echoed the frustration:
Professor Jon Williams, who was once on SCiLL’s advisory board, described the environment as rife with incivility, dysfunction, and disregard for governance. Faculty Chair Beth Moracco called Decosimo’s firing “very troubling,” remarking that it further erodes already fragile trust between faculty and SCiLL’s leadership.
Origins and Political Context
SCiLL’s inception in 2023 drew skepticism from the start. Created by UNC’s trustees and funded by the Republican-led legislature, it was animated by a desire to offer a “more traditional civic education”—a perceived conservative counterpoint to prevailing academic norms.
Supporters heralded it as a remedy to campus liberal bias; others viewed it as a political lever undermining faculty governance and academic standards.
What’s at Stake for Durham and Beyond
For Durham residents and academic watchers, this matters deeply. SCiLL was marketed as UNC’s centerpiece for civic revival—now, its struggles signal broader institutional conflict and raise concerns about politicization in public higher education.
The school’s instability threatens:
The integrity of civic education at a flagship state university. Faith in shared governance among faculty and administration. UNC’s historical reputation as a balanced, rigorous learning institution.
At a Glance: Timeline of Discontent
2023: SCiLL is launched; initial faculty recruited amid controversy.
March 2025: Inger Brodey resigns, citing ethical and procedural concerns.
September 2025: David Decosimo is unexpectedly fired post-paternity leave; publicly condemns the school’s culture.
Why It Matters
At Bull City Citizen, we’re committed to spotlighting how institutional change—or upheaval—impacts our community. The SCiLL saga isn’t just hit for UNC—it’s reflective of the fragility of academic ethos and public investment in education amid political currents.
If you’re a current or former faculty member, student, or administrator connected to SCiLL and wish to contribute insight or reflections, we’d like to include your voice in our ongoing coverage. Your perspective is invaluable.
