Campuswide Immersion
Campuswide Immersion is a first-of-its-kind, multi-year initiative, created through College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, that helps colleges instill a renewed civic culture that strives to reach every student on campus.
INTRODUCTION
Bring students together to practice civic skills
In college, students sharpen how they think, communicate, and work with others. Yet, young people today face a culture of nonstop debate, conflicting information, and rising polarization that leaves them feeling shut down.
Campuswide Immersion helps campus leaders plan initiatives that let every student practice civic skills in welcoming, collaborative spaces.
When colleges give students ways to practice civic skills throughout campus life, a larger civic culture takes root. Students learn skills that prepare them not only for careers, but for civic life after school.
Whether your college is just starting or strengthening existing efforts, Campuswide Immersion gives you the playbook and peer community to lead lasting change.
The Challenge
Students want the skills to help solve real-world problems, yet campuses often lack a coordinated approach that reaches all students
The Initiative
Guided by C&S, participating colleges join a cohort of peer schools to create plans, trade ideas, and learn from each other.
The Impact
The result is a campus culture that gives students the skills, permission, and motivation to share ideas and take part in real civic change.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
A cohort-led program driving real, lasting change
Help students learn to see tough issues as shared problems to solve, not battles to win. Through Campuswide Immersion, you can design experiences that help them build trust, credibility, and connection with one another, preparing them to create bold civic solutions in their communities and beyond.
- Campuswide Strategy: Coordinate civic initiatives across the student experience, giving students regular chances to practice civic skills.
- Clear Structure: Get organized by forming an Action Council, an Action Plan, and using shared evaluation metrics to map success.
- Practical Tools & Support: Campuses receive templates, initiative examples, coaching, project management, and guidance from C&S.
- Broad Range of Voices: Campuswide Immersion supports public, private, community, faith-based, and minority-serving colleges.
- Real Impact: A common survey and simple progress check-ins help colleges identify what’s working and learn from others in their cohort.
Across campus, across divides
By the Numbers
How It Works
Schools are accepted on a rolling basis into the cohort. Campuswide Immersion is a flexible program that supports all colleges, whether your college is just starting to instill civic culture or wants to boost existing initiatives.
- Pre-Year 1: Build Your Baseline
- Years 1 & 2: Analysis and Experimentation
- Year 3 & Beyond: Review and Share
Participating colleges commit to developing a campuswide Action Plan, forming an Action Council of faculty, staff, and students to lead the work, and engaging in shared evaluation to track impact and strengthen their efforts over time. Colleges also dedicate the resources needed to bring their initiatives to life and collaborate closely with the C&S Campuswide Immersion team through virtual support sessions, accountability calls, and an annual in-person meeting each January. The program follows a hybrid format, operates on a multi-year timeline, and accepts participants on a rolling basis.
Learn more about Campuswide Immersion by emailing
immersion@collegepresidents.org.
Meet Derigan Silver
“We want students to come to their own truths and own decisions about what they value and what they see as important. We also want to learn from what they’ve been able to do as we work alongside them as educators and mentors."
Derigan Silver
Faculty, University of Denver
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate in Campuswide Immersion?
Any college committed to strengthening civic culture and preparing all students with essential civic skills can join a cohort.
What do colleges gain by participating?
CWI provides a coordinated strategy, hands-on support, practical tools, and a network of peer colleges working toward similar goals.
What does participation look like?
Campus leaders work with an Action Council to design initiatives, evaluate progress, and take part in shared learning sessions with their cohort.
How can I learn more or get in touch?
Learn more about Campuswide Immersion by emailing immersion@collegepresidents.org.
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