The purpose of a liberal education is to prepare students to be engaged citizens and leaders who advance the practices that are necessary for democratic societies to flourish. History reminds us that democracy is always in peril, and it is incumbent on each generation of educators to rededicate themselves to this purpose. Our campuses should be communities that make room for both true disagreement and true connection—communities that practice the kind of recognition and robust negotiation that the everyday life of democracy requires, and places that explicitly prepare our students to work for the greater good.
- Michael Elliott
Activation Plan
Below is an overview of some campus activities:
- Amherst remains committed to furthering its initiatives under “Serving the Greater Good,” one of President Elliot’s presidential priorities that links the Amherst experience to a lifetime of advancing democratic principles and contributing to society.
- Civil Dialogue initiatives for faculty and students, including course development, community partnerships, and programming to supporting democratic practices and engagement, freedom of speech, and civil dialogue.
- The Loeb Center is launching a new Interns for Democracy program that will support paid summer internships for democracy-oriented organizations. Amherst will also launch new Presidential Post-Graduate Fellowships supporting graduates serving the greater good.
- Amherst for Amherst is a new partnership with the town of Amherst that includes significant investments and developing a more expansive and mutually beneficial relationship between the College and local communities.
Michael Elliott
President, Amherst College
Join the growing consoritum of campus leaders urgently committed to collectively restoring higher education’s role in democracy.
Michael Elliott
President, Amherst College
Below is an overview of some campus activities:
- Amherst remains committed to furthering its initiatives under “Serving the Greater Good,” one of President Elliot’s presidential priorities that links the Amherst experience to a lifetime of advancing democratic principles and contributing to society.
- Civil Dialogue initiatives for faculty and students, including course development, community partnerships, and programming to supporting democratic practices and engagement, freedom of speech, and civil dialogue.
- The Loeb Center is launching a new Interns for Democracy program that will support paid summer internships for democracy-oriented organizations. Amherst will also launch new Presidential Post-Graduate Fellowships supporting graduates serving the greater good.
- Amherst for Amherst is a new partnership with the town of Amherst that includes significant investments and developing a more expansive and mutually beneficial relationship between the College and local communities.
The purpose of a liberal education is to prepare students to be engaged citizens and leaders who advance the practices that are necessary for democratic societies to flourish. History reminds us that democracy is always in peril, and it is incumbent on each generation of educators to rededicate themselves to this purpose. Our campuses should be communities that make room for both true disagreement and true connection—communities that practice the kind of recognition and robust negotiation that the everyday life of democracy requires, and places that explicitly prepare our students to work for the greater good.
- Michael Elliott