Podcast Recap: Advancing Civil Discourse on Campus

In a recent episode of The Key, the Inside Higher Ed podcast, I had the opportunity to speak with editor-in-chief Sara Custer about the renewed focus on civil discourse and civic development in higher education.

Our conversation centered on how college leaders—especially those in our College Presidents for Civic Preparedness coalition—are deepening their investment in productive conversations and civic skill-building. These efforts are not new, but part of a long-standing commitment to preparing students to engage constructively across divides, both on campus and beyond.

We also discussed one of the most pressing questions we face: How do we know if these efforts are working? At the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, we’re supporting college leaders in assessing and strengthening civil discourse, free expression, and critical thinking—skills that are essential not only in a democratic society, but also in today’s workplaces.

Listen to the full episode.