Black History Month: 10 Fellows You Should Know
February is Black History Month; a time to celebrate the accomplishments of Black Americans and reflect on the ongoing pursuit of freedom and racial equity. Here are 10 Fellows from the Citizens & Scholars network who are broadening perspectives by highlighting and examining the experiences of Black Americans and are civic leaders in their community. These visionary Fellows are making history themselves and strengthening our democracy through their leadership, teaching, […]
College Presidents for Civic Preparedness Convening at Howard University
The Institute for Citizens & Scholars gathered university presidents from College Presidents for Civic Preparedness for a second annual convening at Howard University from January 19-21, 2024. The presidents shared ideas, challenges, and learnings and set the goals and vision for the consortium moving forward. Since the launch of the initiative in August, College Presidents for Civic […]
Building Connection: Youth Mental Health and Civic Engagement
Jessica Sutter , Chief of Civic Learning Initiatives In my time as a middle school teacher, DC State Board of Education member, and now civic preparedness advocate, I have been lucky to meet and work with hundreds of adolescents. What strikes me again and again is how adolescents are working hard to figure out who and […]
The Kids Are Alright – Vol. 8
The Civic Life Project works with teachers and students to prepare them to create and produce films which harness civic knowledge and civic skills. (Photo from The Civic Life Project via Facebook) Excerpt crossposted from The Kids Are Alright, an occasional Friday afternoon email newsletter written by Jessica Sutter featuring three stories of youth voice, youth […]
In Newark, 16-Year-Olds Win the Right to Vote in School Board Races
Citizens & Scholars Civic Spring Fellows from the The Gem Project, Inc. were featured in The New York Times helping to encourage Newark’s City Council to lower the voting age to 16 for school board races. The Gem Project had two classes of Fellows in 2023 and 2020. Amanda Ebokosia, Founder & CEO of the GEM Project, recently spoke on a […]
Civil Discourse and Advancing the Collective Good in Higher Education
Janett Cordovés , Senior Program Director, College Presidents Consortium The Faculty Development Institute on Dialogue Across Difference convening in August 2023 at Duke University brought together 30 faculty members across disciplines from 20 different institutions. A thriving democracy depends on citizens who embrace diverse viewpoints, challenge ideas, and foster constructive dialogue. Higher education, as a public […]
5 Ways to Be an Engaged Citizen (Besides Voting)
Citizens & Scholars Fellows Savannah and Sultan Smalley plan trees to help address environmental justice issues in their hometown of Philadelphia. The siblings planned this project as a part of the Civic Spring Fellowship. (Photos by Hannah Beier) On Monday, January 15, we observe MLK Day – the only federal holiday designated as a National […]
4 College Presidents Join College Presidents for Civic Preparedness
Princeton, NJ, December 21, 2023 – A group of four presidents of diverse higher education institutions from across the country have joined the College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, a new initiative convened by The Institute for Citizens & Scholars to facilitate shared learning and greater impact through partnership toward the goal of developing college students who are ready to be […]
The Kids Are Alright – Vol. 6
Jessica Sutter , Chief of Civic Learning Initiatives Jordan Williams spoke with Magic Johnson at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. (Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington/Washington Post) Excerpt crossposted from The Kids Are Alright, an occasional Friday afternoon email newsletter written by Jessica Sutter featuring three stories of youth voice, youth leadership, and […]
Argue Joyfully: Raj’s University of Pittsburgh Commencement Address
Photo courtesy of University of Pittsburgh Citizens & Scholars President Rajiv Vinnakota gave the Winter Commencement address at the University of Pittsburgh on December 17, 2023. In his speech, Raj imparts a life lesson he learned in childhood: building a meaningful life involves connecting and empathizing with those who are different from you. He encourages […]