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Educating for a Democracy in Question

Beyond Election Day: Defending Democracy and Advancing Civic Engagement Year-Round

Friday, January 23, 2026
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM East Coast USA Time
Location: Dogwood - Mezzanine

    Primary Presenter(s)

  • Cynthia Lynch (she/her/hers)

    Assistant Vice Provost for Civic Engagement and Academic Strategic Support
    Salem State University
    SALEM, United States

    PDF

    • Co-Presenter(s)

  • SK

    Stephanie King

    Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives
    ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Civic Nation, United States

  • Sandra Rodriguez

    Director, ASUN Center for Student Engagement
    University of Nevada, Reno, United States

As democracy faces mounting threats including polarization, restrictions on civic participation, and attacks on higher education, colleges and universities are uniquely positioned to defend democratic values and foster civic learning. This session will feature leaders from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Salem State University, Bunker Hill Community College, and the University of Nevada, Reno, who will share practical, replicable strategies for designing year-round nonpartisan civic engagement programming. Panelists will explore how campuses can promote issue-focused dialogue, foster a campus culture of civic inclusion and participation, and support student leadership development beyond election cycles. Participants will leave with actionable tools to strengthen student agency, deepen civic learning, and advance higher education’s public purpose in a healthy democracy.