Former Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb reflects on his semester teaching at Harvard University and how the experience challenged assumptions about political and cultural divides on elite campuses. Instead of polarization, he encountered students from diverse backgrounds who were willing to engage respectfully across differing viewpoints. Holcomb describes a campus community capable of open dialogue, collaboration, and a shared commitment to education and discovery.
He uses this experience to highlight a broader decline in civic engagement across the United States, pointing to research showing reduced trust and participation in local institutions. Holcomb argues that restoring strong communities requires face-to-face interaction, cooperation across political lines, and a renewed focus on common goals. Drawing on Indiana’s bipartisan expansion of public-health funding, he underscores how local trust can drive large-scale solutions.
Holcomb concludes that the American “spirit of association” — famously observed by Alexis de Tocqueville — still exists, even in unexpected places. Strengthening this civic foundation, he argues, will be essential to meeting the country’s future challenges.
Eric J. Holcomb offers audiences the rare perspective of a governor who delivered tangible results in economic growth, infrastructure, and workforce innovation. His grounded, solutions-focused approach helps leaders make sense of today’s policy and business landscape—and chart a smarter path forward. Engaging, pragmatic, and deeply experienced, Holcomb is an exceptional choice for organizations seeking a keynote speaker who can translate real-world governance into actionable leadership insights. Contact us today to learn more.
