I joined because higher education must once again become the moral imagination of our democracy. I believe our classrooms are rehearsal spaces for citizenship—where students learn that democracy is not inherited but renewed each time an educated mind chooses courage over cynicism and service over self. The Civic Commitments remind us that universities are not only centers of knowledge, but custodians of conscience and stewards of a fragile experiment called democracy. And like a compass guiding us through uncertain times, these commitments keep us true to our purpose: to prepare citizens who do not merely navigate the world as it is, but who imagine and build the world as it should be.

An informed citizenry is a cornerstone of democracy, and higher education plays an important role in preparing students to be active community members, have well-reasoned and civil discussions, and participate in civic life. Rollins College’s commitment to free inquiry and expression, civil discourse, and civic preparedness is critical to this mission.

As a public university, civic leadership is at the center of our educational, research, and service missions. Last year, we launched the Civic Dialogue Initiative to infuse the skills of civic life within our campus culture. Through active listening, curiosity, and perspective taking, the initiative creates a community that solves problems together. This is how we make democracy work. From classrooms and residence halls to research labs and our broader community, the Civic Commitments of College Presidents for Civic Preparedness align with and advance our values and mission.

James Madison University is a national leader in civic discourse and free speech and continued partnership and participation in the College Presidents for Civic Preparedness consortium will only make our campus stronger. JMU's mission statement emphasizes the need for preparing students to be educated and enlightened democratic citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives. We are committed to providing our students with the tools and resources they need to become engaged citizens who value free speech, democracy, and lifelong learning. Our core campus values are directly reflected in the consortium’s Civic Commitments, and it is my honor to join this group as we pledge our shared commitment to the pursuit of the common good.

Leaders of higher education must be in the business of bringing students together from widely different backgrounds and providing them the tools and the space to engage in dialogue. It is through a strong campus community--inside and outside the classroom--where disagreement can coexist with civility and that generations of young people can learn how to bridge, connect, and flourish.

Colleges and universities have a special responsibility to create environments that promote these values and help to inculcate in students an enthusiastic appreciation for the value of free expression, enlightening debate, and civil discourse – especially during these difficult times of distrust, division, and apparent disdain for civil discourse and debate.

We are working to make the concept of healthy democratic dialogue a part of Lewis & Clark’s identity as an institution and the foundation for the way we relate to each other. Engaging in constructive dialogue with people who hold different viewpoints is a skill that is increasingly in short supply, and one that both our students and our world desperately need. Learning and caring – that’s the heart of who we are and what we do, and how we want our L&C graduates to be in the world.

Higher education institutions play a crucial role in shaping well-educated and engaged citizens, emphasizing the importance of civic responsibility, critical thinking, and the ability to engage constructively in societal discourse. By fostering an environment of open dialogue and debate, higher education prepares students to be active participants in democratic processes, ensuring they emerge as individuals committed to contributing positively to society and advancing democratic values.

I believe fervently in the importance of educating and preparing students—leaders of the future—to embrace discomfort and challenge to their beliefs, to accept and engage with the ‘other,’ and to embrace an educational trajectory that prepares them for the world beyond campus by supporting them in engaging in respectful conflict and dialogue across difference.

There is a basic if oft-stated truth about democracy: it is not a spectator sport. The health of our civic institutions requires engaged citizens ready and able to exercise their voice thoughtfully and responsibly. When this College, and institutions like it, graduate broadly educated students with the skills and determination to get involved, we have every reason to believe that our country’s fragile democratic experiment may long endure.

The free exchange of ideas is a cornerstone of liberal education. Communicating persuasively, disagreeing courteously, and engaging respectfully across the ideological spectrum, are essential skills for the thriving of a democratic society. Differences of opinion must be treated as opportunities to learn and grow.

This is a critical role for higher education that is more important than ever in today’s highly polarized environment. We are challenged today by the fact that much of the American populace does not have confidence in higher education, so a collaborative, focused initiative such as this represents our best opportunity to emphasize the importance of preparing engaged citizenship.

…But we also know that, to realize the full potential of Duke’s people, we must cultivate and maintain a campus community where every person—especially those whose viewpoints or backgrounds may be in the minority—feels a strong sense of belonging and support for their work. We must work to create a culture that clearly reflects our core institutional values of respect, trust, inclusion, discovery, and excellence in all we do.

Societal divisions threaten the mutual understanding, shared norms of behavior, and commitments that are so vital to the resilience of our democracy. Mending these divisions is not only a challenge of policy and politics. It is an educational imperative.

Our campuses and our words are enriched, our communities become more equitable and we develop open-minded leaders when we explore and are open to discussing and debating a range of ideas and perspectives, freely expressed, while understanding these ideals within the context of the historical experiences of diverse communities.