This moment in our democracy calls for leaders who can imagine a better future and who have the wisdom and courage to help create it. At Macaulay Honors College (CUNY), students learn to see New York City not just as a place to study, but as a living classroom that invites inquiry, reflection, compassion, and bold action. They explore community science and civic data, but they also engage in humanistic inquiry, creative problem-solving, and dialogue across difference. These experiences cultivate the habits of mind and heart that democratic leadership requires: curiosity, empathy, intellectual rigor, and a commitment to the public good. The Civic Commitments of Citizens & Scholars resonate deeply with our mission to prepare students who can think critically, act with integrity, and strengthen the civic life of their communities. They affirm our belief that education is a civic act and that colleges must nurture the capacities that democratic life depends on. I am joining this coalition because I believe our students can help renew the civic spirit of our great city and the country, and because public higher education must be a catalyst for civic trust, civic courage, and the leadership our democracy urgently needs.
- Dara Byrne
Activation Plan
Below is an overview of some campus activities:
At Macaulay Honors College, we believe academic excellence and civic responsibility are inseparable. Over the past three years, we’ve built a strong foundation in trust, connection, and healthy dialogue through initiatives like the Collaborative Wellness Project, Restorative Practice Program, and Constructive Dialogue workshops. These efforts have helped students engage across differences and participate confidently in challenging conversations.
This progress paves the way for a second phase addressing the intersection of civic mistrust and technology, preparing students for the civic responsibility and mobility needed to navigate and contribute to public life in the 21st century.
Our priorities reflect our commitment to preparing students for leadership in an interconnected world:
Campus-Wide Community Service and Citywide Civic Impact
Every Macaulay student completes required community service, making civic engagement a core part of the education. This spring, we are hiring our inaugural Coordinator for Community Service & Civic Leadership to connect student service to civic challenges across New York City’s five boroughs, including housing access, climate resilience, food equity, and digital inclusion.
Civic Problem-Solving Through Design, Innovation, and Applied Data
The Civic Futures Lab: In partnership with the Watson Foundation and Design for America, this lab offers hands-on opportunities for students to design solutions to community needs, collaborating with organizations and city agencies on projects like neighborhood resource mapping and public-health communication.
The Data Science Initiative: This initiative helps students understand the intersection of data, public systems, and civic decision-making. Through Macaulay’s Datathon, students analyze New York City’s open datasets, collaborating with partners like the MTA and Asphalt Green to turn data into actionable insights.
Civic Innovation Curriculum and Experiential Learning Pathways
This spring, Macaulay will welcome a Distinguished Lecturer in Civic Innovation to develop new practicum courses, experiential learning models, and dual-degree pathways for careers in civic tech, community planning, and policy innovation.
Responsible Information Use, Media Literacy, and AI Awareness for Civic Readiness
Through the Civic Futures Initiative, students explore how technology and AI shape civic participation and public trust. Peer-led workshops and inquiry-based learning help students evaluate evidence, recognize misinformation, and engage responsibly in public discourse. Macaulay is also developing the AI Peer Mentor Corps, a program to train students to help their peers navigate AI-generated content, identify misinformation, and build critical inquiry skills essential for democratic participation.
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Below is an overview of some campus activities:
At Macaulay Honors College, we believe academic excellence and civic responsibility are inseparable. Over the past three years, we’ve built a strong foundation in trust, connection, and healthy dialogue through initiatives like the Collaborative Wellness Project, Restorative Practice Program, and Constructive Dialogue workshops. These efforts have helped students engage across differences and participate confidently in challenging conversations.
This progress paves the way for a second phase addressing the intersection of civic mistrust and technology, preparing students for the civic responsibility and mobility needed to navigate and contribute to public life in the 21st century.
Our priorities reflect our commitment to preparing students for leadership in an interconnected world:
Campus-Wide Community Service and Citywide Civic Impact
Every Macaulay student completes required community service, making civic engagement a core part of the education. This spring, we are hiring our inaugural Coordinator for Community Service & Civic Leadership to connect student service to civic challenges across New York City’s five boroughs, including housing access, climate resilience, food equity, and digital inclusion.
Civic Problem-Solving Through Design, Innovation, and Applied Data
The Civic Futures Lab: In partnership with the Watson Foundation and Design for America, this lab offers hands-on opportunities for students to design solutions to community needs, collaborating with organizations and city agencies on projects like neighborhood resource mapping and public-health communication.
The Data Science Initiative: This initiative helps students understand the intersection of data, public systems, and civic decision-making. Through Macaulay’s Datathon, students analyze New York City’s open datasets, collaborating with partners like the MTA and Asphalt Green to turn data into actionable insights.
Civic Innovation Curriculum and Experiential Learning Pathways
This spring, Macaulay will welcome a Distinguished Lecturer in Civic Innovation to develop new practicum courses, experiential learning models, and dual-degree pathways for careers in civic tech, community planning, and policy innovation.
Responsible Information Use, Media Literacy, and AI Awareness for Civic Readiness
Through the Civic Futures Initiative, students explore how technology and AI shape civic participation and public trust. Peer-led workshops and inquiry-based learning help students evaluate evidence, recognize misinformation, and engage responsibly in public discourse. Macaulay is also developing the AI Peer Mentor Corps, a program to train students to help their peers navigate AI-generated content, identify misinformation, and build critical inquiry skills essential for democratic participation.
This moment in our democracy calls for leaders who can imagine a better future and who have the wisdom and courage to help create it. At Macaulay Honors College (CUNY), students learn to see New York City not just as a place to study, but as a living classroom that invites inquiry, reflection, compassion, and bold action. They explore community science and civic data, but they also engage in humanistic inquiry, creative problem-solving, and dialogue across difference. These experiences cultivate the habits of mind and heart that democratic leadership requires: curiosity, empathy, intellectual rigor, and a commitment to the public good. The Civic Commitments of Citizens & Scholars resonate deeply with our mission to prepare students who can think critically, act with integrity, and strengthen the civic life of their communities. They affirm our belief that education is a civic act and that colleges must nurture the capacities that democratic life depends on. I am joining this coalition because I believe our students can help renew the civic spirit of our great city and the country, and because public higher education must be a catalyst for civic trust, civic courage, and the leadership our democracy urgently needs.
- Dara Byrne