America’s Conversation Crisis—And One Simple Skill That Can Fix It
Rajiv Vinnakota , President America has a simple problem hiding in plain sight: we’ve forgotten how to talk to one another about hot topics like immigration, healthcare, or education. You can see it everywhere—families navigating tense dinner-table moments, students clashing on campuses, and colleagues walking on eggshells at work. Disagreement isn’t the issue. The real crisis […]
Colleges Are Stepping Up: New Snapshot Shows Rising Investment in Civic Preparedness
A new snapshot from College Presidents for Civic Preparedness—a national coalition of more than 100 college leaders convened by C&S—shows growing investment in campus-wide civic development. College presidents are increasing their commitment to building an active civic culture, embedding this work more deeply across classrooms, residence halls, student life, and community partnerships. Even with a challenging […]
Gen Z Civic Vibe Check: Showing Up & Speaking Out
Our Gen Z Civic Vibe Check survey takes a closer look at what motivates young people to get involved in their communities. Their answers show that it’s about connection, friendship and standing up to injustice. Hear their stories below. Gen Z wants to talk–in person Myra, New York 77% of young people say they’re more likely to discuss issues in […]
America’s Debate-Only Culture Is Breaking Our Ability To Problem Solve
Rajiv Vinnakota , President The tragic shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk this fall was more than another flashpoint in America’s culture wars. It exposed something deeper: we’ve built a political culture that can argue endlessly but can’t solve anything. From Congress to college campuses, we’ve turned discourse into a spectator sport. At Tennessee State University, a […]
How to Survive Holiday Conversations (Even with Your Crazy Uncle)
The holidays bring people together, but they can also lead to tense conversations with loved ones about politics, identity, or values. We asked Carnegie Young Leaders whose projects focus on dialogue and connection to share their best tips for having real, respectful discussions with family and friends this season. Ryan Gans Ryan is creating space for members […]
College Presidents Face A Civic Test: This Is How They Can Ace It
Confidence in higher education is being tested like never before. Poll after poll shows that the public increasingly questions whether colleges are worth the cost or whether students leave prepared for life beyond the classroom. The critiques are familiar, if at times unfair or exaggerated: debt burdens remain heavy, questions about workforce value persist, and some perceive campuses as […]
What We’re Missing About Gen Z’s Civic Energy
When young people don’t show up the way we expect, it’s easy to assume they don’t care. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Our new survey, Gen Z Civic Vibe Check, shows that 9 in 10 young people care deeply about their communities and feel a responsibility to get involved. And they’re not just posting about it. Seventy-seven percent say they talk about issues face-to-face with family and […]
From Group Chats to Grassroots: How Gen Z Is Reimagining Civic Action
PRINCETON, NJ, NOVEMBER 18, 2025 —Nine out of ten young people care deeply for their communities, but the energy and depth of Generation Z’s civic involvement varies sharply by age and cause, according to the latest national survey, Gen Z Civic Vibe Check, from the Institute for Citizens & Scholars. “The idea that Gen Z is checked out is a myth. […]
Gen Z Doesn’t Want Safe Spaces. They Want Honest Ones.
Young leaders and older adult allies from across the Mid-Atlantic region came together at the Our Voices Summit to share stories, build trust, and explore how real conversations can lead to real change. What Young People are Learning About Having Hard Conversations They experienced the power of talking – and listening – across generations. Now they’re […]
These Gen Zers are fighting misinformation and expanding voting access
The next generation of civic problem-solvers is already here. Young people around the country are taking the lead to make voting fairer and more accessible. From VR headsets to chatbots, their work meets real local needs. They’re removing barriers so everyone can participate and be more informed. Meet the 2025 Carnegie Young Leaders and hear the inspiration […]