Where We Stand Today
At the start of the 2023–24 academic year, 15 college presidents from a diverse range of institutions came together to launch College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, united by the Civic Commitments. Since then, we’ve partnered with over 100 college presidents, as well as dozens of faculty and staff, reaching more than 800,000 students.
The coalition is helping campuses create environments where students learn to engage across deep divides. In classrooms, residence halls, and public forums, students are leaning in to ask hard questions, share ideas, and challenge conventional wisdom. These experiences are shaping a generation of graduates equipped to think critically, speak responsibly, and lead with integrity. What's unfolding on these campuses is not only enriching student life but also paving the way for a civic revival across America.
Across the country, college presidents, faculty, staff, and students are having productive conversations about the issues facing our communities and country. From classrooms to auditoriums to residence halls and beyond, they’re asking questions, sharing ideas, and challenging conventional wisdom. Hear from the people who are sparking a new generation of productive conversations—in their own words.
Real Talk: Across Campus, Across Divides spotlights the University of Pittsburgh’s commitment to building the motivation, skills, and social permission for dialogue across difference. And Pitt is not alone—many more examples are already underway across the College Presidents for Civic Preparedness coalition.
Presidents from seventy institutions nationwide prioritized themes of civil discourse and democratic engagement into commencement speeches to inspire graduates to lead with empathy, engage across differences, and think critically. From Campus to Community reminds graduates—and the public—why college matters: not just to launch careers, but to prepare citizens for today’s urgent challenges.