Presidential Leadership in Action

College Presidents for Civic Preparedness is a coalition of over 100 presidents reimagining how higher education prepares students to live, lead, and contribute in a divided world.

This isn’t about statements. It’s about strategy and implementation—aligning leadership, programming, and infrastructure around a clear civic mission.

What unites these presidents are three civic commitments and a shared belief: higher education must produce graduates equipped not just for economic participation, but for civic life. They are building the institutional capacity to make that vision real.

 

Explore the Leadership Behind the Movement

Across the country, presidents are advancing this work with boldness and care. Explore their campuses, hear their vision, and see how leadership becomes action.

Meet the Presidents

 

“It’s imperative for leaders in higher education to do all we can to promote dialogue across differences, and that’s why I’m so excited to be part of this coalition.”
Sian Leah Beilock
Dartmouth

 

“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.”

Vincent Price
Duke University

 

“Education helps to solidify ideas and notions. It’s to foster creativity and critical thinking and engagement and collaboration. And I think if we let go of that…we have cost ourselves something. We have ceded the moral high ground on what education was designed to do.”

Roslyn Clark Artis
Benedict College

 

“Our vision is to be a Flagship for the Future, fostering inclusive prosperity and democracy while creating new knowledge and ways of learning. For UM, “prosperity” is characterized not just by an individual’s ability to engage in meaningful work. Prosperity—or building a ‘good life’—is also marked by healthy relationships, lifelong curiosity and learning, and a deep sense of civic responsibility to one’s community. This responsibility includes the virtues and habits of character required to engage productively as a member (and for many, a leader) of their community.”

Seth Bodnar
University of Montana

 

“I proudly represent University of Dayton in a group called College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, a coalition of more than 120 campus leaders who are working to empower our graduates to engage thoughtfully with the world by asking the hard questions and engaging in civil discourse with others even—and especially—when there are differences.”
Eric Spina
University of Dayton

 

“Colleges and universities remain vital spaces where free expression thrives, where hard questions are asked, and where democracy is not only studied but strengthened. These aren’t just academic values, they’re democratic values—American values.”

Chris Reber
Hudson County Community College

 

“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.”
James Williams
Mount St. Joseph University

 

Higher education is essential to a healthy democracy. It’s where we prepare global citizens—not just for careers, but for life. … Higher education has fueled American progress—driving innovation, leadership, and civic life. Beyond job training, colleges prepare people to strengthen our democracy and help solve the challenges facing our nation.”
Jackie Edmondson
University of Southern Maine

 

Discover how campuses are advancing civic preparedness and leadership in the 2025 Impact Report.