Democracy250
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, higher education has a rare opportunity to reimagine civic participation for a new generation. That new vision becomes a reality with Democracy250, a nonpartisan initiative empowering institutions and students to step forward, lead, and strengthen the democracy that gives all Americans a voice.
Learn more about the unique opportunities higher education institutions and students have to engage with Democracy250.
Opportunities to support rising student leaders span the program. Allied institutions can contribute to Work Where Democracy Happens in the form of:
Provide structured learning opportunities that prepare students for responsible engagement. This may include:
- Foundational workshops on election processes and administration
- Coaching and mentoring support
- Curriculum collaboration or subject-matter expertise
- Access to data, research, or practice-based knowledge
Help identify and channel talented students and collaborators into Work Where Democracy Happens. This may include:
- Nominating students
- Promoting opportunities through networks
- Co-hosting informational sessions
- Identifying emerging leaders from a wide range of communities
Assist in securing meaningful placements for students. This may include:
- Hosting students directly
- Connecting with election officials or civic institutions
- Advising on best-fit placement models
- Providing supervision or on-site mentorship
Serve as trusted advisors as we refine structure and strategy. This may include:
- Periodic consultation
- Feedback on program design and evaluation
- Guidance on national trends in election administration and civic engagement
Support the operational and student-facing costs of the initiative, including:
- Stipends for student placements
- Training and coaching infrastructure
- Program staffing and coordination
- Documentation and evaluation
Collaborate directly in executing elements of the work. This may include:
- Co-designing civic engagement initiatives
- Supporting implementation in targeted states or communities
- Integrating our Democracy Summer students into ongoing campaigns or projects
Help tell the story of the work and elevate impact. This may include:
- Producing written, digital, or multimedia content
- Amplifying student experiences
- Showcasing best practices in civic leadership development
Now is the time for everyone — Republicans, Democrats and independents — to come together and defend our foundational democratic right. And higher education has a unique role to play.
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The Narrative Civic Action Project
Created in partnership with Equal Justice Initiative, Narrative as Civic Practice is a part of Democracy250 invites colleges and universities to engage in storytelling as civic action. From documenting accounts of migration and economic displacement to the histories connected with language preservation on tribal lands, academic institutions and their students can commit to telling stories that confront exclusion, build empathy for others’ experiences, and recover hidden perspectives capable of inspiring deeper participation in American democracy.
Training to Live Your Cardinal Virtues
Students join Wesleyan to belong to a community defined by a bold commitment to acting on its ideals. Democracy250’s election training program is their chance to act on those values with hands-on preparation to support election offices and partner organizations during active election cycles.
Our election training students will learn how to engage in the electoral ecosystem and ensure democracy for all thank to:
Influencing American Democracy
Mobilizing influencers and digital creators on behalf of democracy can leverage their unparalleled reach to shape how the next generation understands citizenship, participation, and shared responsibility. Open to creators ranging from established macro-influencers to aspiring student creators, this partnership activates digital media to create mass impact at a pivotal moment in American history.
