College Presidents for Civic Preparedness
College Presidents for Civic Preparedness is a national coalition that unites over 100 college presidents in a shared mission: to equip the next generation of students with the tools they need to solve civic problems in their communities.
INTRODUCTION
Build a thriving civic culture on your campus
College Presidents for Civic Preparedness is a national coalition of 100+ college leaders committed to graduating students who are ready and eager to tackle the challenges facing our country. Together, they advance campus initiatives that build three essential civic skills: having productive conversations, using credible information, and collaborating to create solutions.
Through shared commitment and coordinated action, the coalition helps schools foster a campuswide civic culture that gives every student frequent, meaningful opportunities to practice these skills in real time.
The Challenge
College students need spaces to practice the civic skills of having productive conversations, using credible information, and collaborating.
The Experience
Presidents work alongside campus leaders to embed civic skill-building initiatives across the student journey.
The Impact
Students leave school as prepared, engaged citizens ready to craft bold solutions to civic problems.
Shared Commitments. Shared Success.
College Presidents for Civic Preparedness has grown from 15 founding presidents to 125 presidents representing more than 800,000 students in just two years—demonstrating real appetite for civic leadership in higher ed.
- Visible Leadership: The coalition elevates presidents as public champions of civic readiness and student leadership.
- Campuswide Reach: Supports campuswide civic skill-building across the full student experience.
- Trusted Peer Network: Provides a trusted peer network for solutions-focused collaboration among campus leaders.
- Broad Range of Voices: Unites presidents from diverse institutions and missions nationwide.
- Real Impact: Prioritizes shared measures, evaluation, and transparent reporting to track improvement.
Reach every student, every day
Awards
How It Works
Presidents join the national coalition and champion the Three Civic Commitments:
- Educating for democracy is central to our mission.
- We will prepare our students for a vibrant, diverse, and contentious society.
- We will protect and defend free inquiry.
Coalition presidents join forces in a commitment to supporting a student-led, campus-supported civic culture. The coalition collaborates on strategies together before taking their insights back to their own campus leaders, spearheading programs and initiatives that will foster civic culture in alignment with their students and goals. Coalition presidents share metrics and measure progress in an annual impact report to analyze the success of their efforts.
Meet Matt vandenBerg
“I joined College Presidents for Civic Preparedness to help Ohio Wesleyan promote civic education, academic freedom, and civil discourse, which sometimes appear to conflict. I believe they are symbiotic and form the bedrock of a vibrant and inclusive academy.”
Matt vandenBerg
President, Ohio Wesleyan University
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the coalition, and what does it cost?
Any sitting college or university president may join by submitting an interest form. Membership is free and offers access to resources, shared learning, and a trusted peer network.
What do presidents gain by participating?
Members benefit from proven strategies, confidential peer forums, shared metrics, and national visibility as leaders championing students’ civic readiness.
What does participation look like?
Presidents champion the coalition’s Three Civic Commitments, engage with peers to exchange ideas, and work with campus leaders to advance civic-skill building across student life. They also contribute to an annual impact report measuring campuswide progress.
How can I learn more or get in touch?
Visit collegepresidents.org to explore the coalition and submit an interest form. You can also contact the program team directly with questions about membership or next steps.
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