Engaged University

The Democracy Collaborative works to promote the role of the "engaged university" as centrally important to the cause of building stronger democracies in the U.S. and internationally. A fundamental goal of the Collaborative is to help strengthen the power of higher education to work in common cause with citizens and civic organizations as engaged universities. An engaged university is one that focuses squarely on the question: "How can academic institutions best contribute to democratic renewal both at home and abroad?"

From the Morrill Act of 1862, which ushered in land grant colleges, to the GI Bill, to Campus Compact today, higher education in the U.S. has a long and rich tradition of civic engagement. The civic mission of higher education was eclipsed a generation ago by the Cold War, but now the concept is ripe for renewal. The engaged university — an institution with its sleeves rolled up — can lead the way towards a revitalization of democracy.

The Collaborative's engaged university activities take place on the campus of the University of Maryland at College Park, nationally across the United States, and globally.