Lyon Professor Addresses National Micropolitan Leaders

Dr. Scott Roulier delivers keynote at 2026 National Micropolitan Summit in Oklahoma

Mar. 31, 2026 at 8:41pm

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A vibrant, pop art-inspired illustration featuring a repeated microphone icon in a grid of bright, overlapping colors, conceptually representing the voices and engagement of community leaders in small urban areas.The National Micropolitan Summit highlighted the power of small cities to drive civic innovation and community-led development.Gainesville Today

Dr. Scott Roulier, the John Trimble Sr. Professor of Political Philosophy at Lyon College, recently delivered the keynote address at the 2026 National Micropolitan Summit held at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Roulier spoke in his role as co-director of the Thriving Cities Lab at the University of Virginia's Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture.

Why it matters

The summit brought together state and federal officials, civic leaders, and representatives from foundations and nonprofits focused on strengthening small and mid-sized communities, known as micropolitan areas. Roulier's address highlighted the importance of building civic capacity in these communities to help them collectively solve local challenges.

The details

Roulier was joined by Dr. Ty Buckman, the co-director of the Thriving Cities Lab and institute director, for the keynote session. The summit was sponsored by the George Kaiser Family Foundation and 1050 Forward, an Oklahoma nonprofit focused on strengthening small and mid-sized communities. The Thriving Cities Lab has partnered with several micropolitan areas, including Muskogee and Stillwater in Oklahoma, to help build stronger institutions and create more resilient local networks that support long-term development.

  • The 2026 National Micropolitan Summit took place recently on the campus of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

The players

Dr. Scott Roulier

The John Trimble Sr. Professor of Political Philosophy at Lyon College and co-director of the Thriving Cities Lab at the University of Virginia's Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture.

Dr. Ty Buckman

The co-director of the Thriving Cities Lab and institute director at the University of Virginia's Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture.

George Kaiser Family Foundation

The sponsor of the 2026 National Micropolitan Summit.

1050 Forward

An Oklahoma nonprofit focused on strengthening small and mid-sized communities, which co-sponsored the 2026 National Micropolitan Summit.

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What they’re saying

“It has been a great privilege to partner with 1050 Forward and to collaborate with their committed and talented fellows — community leadership teams — to make improvements in various dimensions of civic life in Muskogee and Stillwater.”

— Dr. Scott Roulier, John Trimble Sr. Professor of Political Philosophy at Lyon College

The takeaway

The 2026 National Micropolitan Summit highlighted the important role that small and mid-sized communities, known as micropolitan areas, play in the broader economic and social fabric of the United States. Dr. Roulier's keynote address underscored the value of building civic capacity in these communities to help them collectively address local challenges and drive long-term development.