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Educating for a Democracy in Question

Building a Foundation for Collective Action: The Higher Education Democracy Exchange

Friday, January 23, 2026
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: Chinatown - Level M3

    Primary Presenter(s)

  • Ashley Finley

    Vice President for Research and Senior Advisor to the President
    American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U), United States

    • Co-Presenter(s)

  • AE

    Alex Edgar

    Youth Engagement Manager
    Made By Us

  • NG

    Noah Geisel

    Micro-credentials Program Manager
    University of Colorado Boulder

  • Bobbie Laur

    President
    Campus Compact, United States

  • GL

    Gabriel Lerner

    Founder
    Democracy Notes

  • Marisol Morales (she/her/hers)

    Executive Director, Carnegie Elective Classifications and Assistant Vice President
    American Council on Education
    Oak Lawn, Illinois, United States

  • Deanna Villanueva-Saucedo

    Associate Vice Chancellor of the Center for Excellence in Inclusive Democracy
    Maricopa Community College

This session will explore the partnership between Campus Compact and AAC&U to develop a multifunctional, virtual platform through which colleges and universities can collectively advance the civic mission of higher education. Anchored in More Perfect’s Democracy Goals, the Higher Education Democracy Exchange (HEDX) engages diverse stakeholders across four areas of functionality to highlight existing efforts, build networks, foster collaboration, and spark innovation. The session will provide an overview of the HEDX platform, who’s engaged, and how you can get involved.