Can You Teach Free Speech? These Colleges Are Trying.
The Chronicle of Higher Education recently featured an article highlighting the College Presidents for Civic Preparedness initiative and the increasing momentum of free expression and civil discourse on college campuses. The piece showcases the efforts of member institutions, including Denison University’s debates during freshmen orientation, Carnegie Mellon University’s Deeper Conversations program, Bennington College’s “Saving Democracy Together” course, […]
Youth Civic Solutions Competition: Empowering the Next Generation of Civic Leaders
The Institute for Citizens & Scholars is excited to launch the Youth Civic Solutions Competition, designed to amplify the voices of young people in shaping the future of youth civic engagement in the U.S. With the 2024 election season in full swing, this competition offers young people aged 14-24 the chance to share their innovative ideas […]
Institute for Citizens & Scholars Announces the Youth Civic Solutions Competition
Strengthening Gen Z’s Civic Engagement and Trust in a Critical Election Year PRINCETON, N.J. (August 30, 2024)— The Institute for Citizens & Scholars is pleased to announce the launch of the Youth Civic Solutions Competition. Open to young people aged 14-24 across the United States, the competition invites participants to submit innovative ideas to strengthen civic knowledge, […]
Local colleges brace for campus protests, disruption
Citizens & Scholars President Raj Vinnakota is featured in a WGBH article on campus protests that also highlights how College Presidents for Civic Preparedness members Dartmouth and Hamilton College are prioritizing civil discourse this fall. Read the full article here.
The “College Presidents for Civic Preparedness” have an Agenda
Institute for Citizens & Scholars President Rajiv Vinnakota, along with Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway and Bennington College President Laura Walker, members of College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, were featured in LearningWell. They discussed how higher ed can reclaim its role as a public good and the need to foster civil discourse on campuses — especially heading […]
Raj Vinnakota Delivers Keynote Speech at Gettysburg College
Gettysburg College, a member institution of College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, launched its year-long “Conversations for Change” initiative this fall. Raj Vinnakota, President of Citizens & Scholars, served as the keynote speaker for the initiative’s kickoff. He addressed an audience of over 700 first-year students, emphasizing how civil discourse is essential for a healthy democracy and a […]
5 Minutes with Faculty Institute Leaders: Meeting Higher Ed’s Democratic Mission
The College Presidents for Civic Preparedness Faculty Institute helps interdisciplinary educators across the country gain the skills and confidence to redesign or create new courses that promote dialogue across difference and become champions of this work on their campuses. What does this work mean for our democracy, the future of higher education, and preparing a rising generation […]
Anticipating More Unrest, Colleges Prioritize Civic Dialogue
Two College Presidents for Civic Preparedness member institutions are featured in an Inside Higher Ed article for taking proactive steps to prioritize civil discourse and civic engagement this fall. Hamilton College launched a pilot program, Civil Discourse and Local Politics, as part of its freshman orientation, connecting students with local politicians and the College Debates & Discourse Alliance […]
Guide to Applying for Higher Education Fellowships
Citizens & Scholars invests in the brightest minds and innovative ideas that strengthen our democracy. Since 1945, we have reviewed countless Fellowship applications and gained invaluable insights. Here, our expert team shares their top tips and tricks to help you successfully navigate the application process. Read on to maximize your chances of securing a higher […]
Just Released – From Polarization to Progress: College Presidents Join Forces
The College Presidents for Civic Preparedness initiative has just released its inaugural progress report, From Polarization to Progress: College Presidents Join Forces. This report highlights the remarkable strides college presidents have made in fostering free expression, critical inquiry, and civil discourse during an exceptionally challenging year for higher education, particularly during heightened campus polarization following the Israel-Hamas conflict. […]