Educating for Democracy

Liberal education prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to participate in—and contribute to—a diverse democracy.

Colleges and universities have a vital role in preparing students for informed and engaged citizenship. Amid declining trust, deepening polarization, and rapid social change, AAC&U helps institutions strengthen the learning and practices that enable students to engage across differences, evaluate evidence, contribute to their communities, and advance the common good.

Featured Partnerships

Higher Education Democracy Exchange (HEDEX)

An online platform that connects the people, resources, and practices advancing civic learning and democratic engagement across higher education, HEDEX was developed by AAC&U and Campus Compact in partnership with More Perfect and the University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute of Democracy.

National Leadership Council to Advance Civic Learning and Democracy Engagement for All (NLC)

By connecting institutions, state systems, national associations, policymakers, and philanthropic partners, the NLC aims to make civic learning and democracy engagement an expected, measurable, and integral part of every student’s higher education experience. It is chaired by AAC&U-ACE America 250 Fellow Jonathan R. Alger and includes AAC&U President Lynn Pasquerella. The council is preparing a Democracy Decade Action Plan for higher education, which will be launched in 2027.

Resources

Resources

Pro-Democracy Teaching & Learning Repository

A growing collection of free, open-source materials that makes it easier for educators to bring democratic learning into courses, student organizations, and campus programs.

Toolkit

Democracy Re/Designed

A conceptual framework and toolkit for engaging students and the campus community in envisioning a more aspirational democracy that works for everyone.

Help Desk

Help Desk for Educators

Free, confidential guidance and troubleshooting for educators and practitioners facing a range of challenges.

Toolkit

Engaging Community: A Toolkit for Reciprocal Teaching and Learning Beyond the Campus

Co-published by AAC&U and Campus Compact, this open-access resource helps educators design meaningful community-engaged learning experiences.

Guide

For ALL College Students: The CLDE Guide to Generative Curriculum Planning

AAC&U is a founding partner in the CLDE Coalition, which developed this “how-to“ guide for making college civic learning empowering for students, feasible for faculty, and renewing for a divided and skeptical democracy.

Research

The Effects of Community-Based and Civic Engagement in Higher Education

This report assesses the state of research on high-impact practices in higher education and synthesizes research on the efficacy of community-based and civic engagement, specifically.

Publications

What We Value: Public Health, Social Justice, and Educating for Democracy

AAC&U President Lynn Pasquerella explores crisis-era ethics, equity, and public health, arguing liberal education is essential to rebuilding civic trust and sustaining democracy in a polarized America.

Neighborhood Democracy: Building Anchor Partnerships Between Colleges and Their Communities

This book presents a model for how colleges can partner with local communities through civic engagement and anchor collaborations to address inequality, strengthen local development, and revitalize democratic life.

The Community's College: The Pursuit of Democracy, Economic Development, and Success

This book explores how community colleges advance access, economic mobility, and democracy, examining their challenges and offering strategies to strengthen student success and regional development.

Interfaith Cooperation for Our Times: Educating Citizens for a Diverse Democracy

This publication highlights models for interfaith teaching, learning, and campus engagement, showing how colleges can prepare students to navigate religious diversity and contribute to a more inclusive democracy.