Hamilton College’s mission is to prepare students for lives of meaning, purpose, and active citizenship so that they can effect positive change in the world. The College Presidents for Civic Preparedness initiative invites further conversation and commitments to challenge us and optimize the values and behaviors that are at the core of a Hamilton education, a liberal arts education, and, importantly, the needs of society.

- Steven Tepper
Hamilton College Logo

Activation Plan

Hamilton College Logo

Below is an overview of some campus activities:

  • The multi-format, campus-wide Common Ground Program helps prepare students for lives of active citizenship. Through a partnership with the Bipartisan Policy Center, Common Ground holds ten curriculum-linked events per year that bring highly respected thought leaders to the Hamilton campus to discuss hot-button issues through small classroom dialogues and public events.
  • The Justice Lab is a semester-long interdisciplinary opportunity where students take a set of four parallel courses focused on a particular topic. The Lab combines academic and experiential learning to study complex societal challenges with practical application in a local context. The fall 2024 focus addresses youth violence and arose out of a conversation with Utica’s new mayor.
  • Students gain experience working in public service through the Summer Community Impact Fellows program either through a local municipal or county government internship or a local policy innovation research project.
Photo of Steven Tepper, President of Hamilton College
Hamilton College Logo
Steven Tepper
President-elect, Hamilton College
Hamilton College Logo

Below is an overview of some campus activities:

  • The multi-format, campus-wide Common Ground Program helps prepare students for lives of active citizenship. Through a partnership with the Bipartisan Policy Center, Common Ground holds ten curriculum-linked events per year that bring highly respected thought leaders to the Hamilton campus to discuss hot-button issues through small classroom dialogues and public events.
  • The Justice Lab is a semester-long interdisciplinary opportunity where students take a set of four parallel courses focused on a particular topic. The Lab combines academic and experiential learning to study complex societal challenges with practical application in a local context. The fall 2024 focus addresses youth violence and arose out of a conversation with Utica’s new mayor.
  • Students gain experience working in public service through the Summer Community Impact Fellows program either through a local municipal or county government internship or a local policy innovation research project.

Hamilton College’s mission is to prepare students for lives of meaning, purpose, and active citizenship so that they can effect positive change in the world. The College Presidents for Civic Preparedness initiative invites further conversation and commitments to challenge us and optimize the values and behaviors that are at the core of a Hamilton education, a liberal arts education, and, importantly, the needs of society.

- Steven Tepper